Industries Where Work Safety Glasses are Essential in the UK, US, Europe and worldwide, and How Bollé Safety Steps Up for the challenge
Protecting your eyes is crucial in any workplace, but some industries pose a higher risk of eye injuries. In the UK and Europe, millions of workers across various sectors require work safety glasses as a vital piece of personal protective equipment (PPE) to safeguard their vision.
Here are six key industries in the UK and Europe where wearing work safety glasses is essential:
1. Construction: Construction sites are inherently hazardous environments, exposing workers to flying debris, dust particles, and potential splashes of chemicals. Bollé Safety offers a wide range of construction safety glasses that meet EN 166 standards, ensuring protection against high-speed particles, dust, and splashes. These glasses often feature anti-scratch and anti-fog coatings for optimal clarity and durability, even in harsh environments.
2. Manufacturing: Manufacturing facilities often involve various processes that generate sparks, flying objects, and chemical hazards. Bollé Safety provides a diverse selection of manufacturing safety glasses that comply with EN 166 standards, shielding workers' eyes from these risks. Some options include goggles for enhanced protection against splashes and splashes, or over-the-glass styles that fit comfortably over prescription eyewear.
3. Healthcare: Healthcare professionals, especially those involved in surgery, dentistry, and laboratory work, are exposed to splashes of bodily fluids, chemicals, and sharp instruments. Bollé Safety offers medical safety glasses that meet EN 166 standards and EN 165 standards for impact resistance. These glasses often feature anti-fog and anti-scratch coatings and may come with splash guards or wraparound designs for added protection.
4. Woodworking and Metalworking: These fields involve working with sharp tools and machinery that generate dust particles and flying debris. Bollé Safety provides a variety of woodworking and metalworking safety glasses that meet EN 166 standards, featuring impact resistance and protection against dust and debris. Some options include ventilated styles to prevent fogging or goggles for enhanced protection against flying objects.
5. Chemical Industry: Workers in the chemical industry encounter various hazardous chemicals that can cause severe eye damage upon contact. Bollé Safety offers a range of chemical safety glasses that meet EN 166 standards, safeguarding workers from splashes, fumes, and airborne particles. These glasses often come with chemical splash protection features and may be made from chemical-resistant materials.
6. Office: Today's office environments often involve prolonged screen time, exposing workers to harmful blue light emitted from digital devices. Bollé Safety addresses this concern with its Bollé Office range of computer glasses. These non-prescription glasses filter blue light, potentially reducing eye strain, headaches, and fatigue associated with extended screen use. The Bollé Office range offers various styles and features to suit individual preferences, promoting eye comfort and well-being in the modern workplace.
It's important to note that this list is not exhaustive. Many other industries may require work safety glasses depending on the specific tasks and potential hazards involved.
Here are some additional points to consider:
- Choose safety glasses that meet the appropriate safety standards for your specific industry and potential risks.
- Ensure the glasses fit comfortably and provide adequate coverage for your eyes and eye sockets.
- Replace worn-out or damaged safety glasses promptly to maintain optimal protection.
By prioritizing the use of work safety glasses, workers across various industries in the UK and Europe can significantly reduce the risk of eye injuries, ensuring a safe and healthy work environment. Bollé Safety stands committed to providing high-quality, standards-compliant safety glasses tailored to the specific needs of various industries, empowering workers to perform their duties with confidence and optimal eye protection.
Q & A
1. Are safety glasses bad for your eyes ?
No, safety glasses are not bad for your eyes. In fact, they are essential for protecting your eyes from hazards in many workplaces and situations. There is a common myth that safety glasses can damage your eyesight, but this is not true.
Here's why:
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Safety glasses are made from materials that are safe for your eyes. Polycarbonate, the most common material used in safety lenses, is a strong and impact-resistant plastic that doesn't harm your eyes.
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They protect your eyes from harm. Safety glasses can shield your eyes from flying debris, sparks, chemicals, and other hazards that could cause serious eye injuries.
However, some factors can contribute to discomfort when wearing safety glasses for long periods:
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Poor quality safety glasses: Cheap safety glasses may have ill-fitting frames, unclear lenses, or improper tinting, leading to eye strain and fatigue.
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Incorrect fit: Safety glasses that don't fit properly can cause pressure on your nose or ears, leading to discomfort.
- Look for glasses that meet safety standards and are comfortable to wear. All our safety glasses meet the safety standards and are comfortable to wear.
2. Are safety glasses mandatory ?
In the UK & Europe, safety glasses aren't mandatory in all workplaces. However, there are regulations that require employers to provide appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to employees whose jobs carry a risk of eye injury.
While safety glasses aren't universally mandatory, employers have a legal duty to protect workers from eye injuries and must provide safety glasses when necessary.
3. Are safety glasses required in a warehouse ?
Safety glasses in warehouses aren't mandatory in all situations, but they are highly likely to be required for some tasks or areas.
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Warehouse Hazards: Warehouses present several eye injury risks, including:
- Flying debris from dropped objects, packaging materials, or machinery.
- Sparks from welding or cutting equipment (if present).
- Chemicals used for cleaning or maintenance.
- Dust or airborne particles that can irritate eyes.
- Recommendation: Buy safety glasses and protect your eyes
4. Are safety glasses required for soldering ?
Safety glasses are generally not mandatory for soldering itself, especially for small, precise soldering jobs. However, they are strongly recommended as a best practice for several reasons:
- Solder splatter: Molten solder can flick or splatter unexpectedly, especially when working with wires or desoldering components. Even a small speck of hot solder in the eye can cause serious injury.
- Flying debris: Activities like cutting wires or using snips can create tiny projectiles that could damage your eyes.
- Chemical exposure: Some soldering fluxes can irritate the eyes if they come into contact.
- Eye strain: Soldering often involves focusing on small details for extended periods. Safety glasses with anti-glare coating can help reduce eye strain.
Here's a breakdown of when safety glasses might be especially important:
- Large or messy soldering jobs: If you're working with a lot of solder or there's a higher chance of splatter, wearing safety glasses is essential.
- Working with lead-based solder: Lead fumes can be harmful if inhaled, and safety glasses can help keep them out of your eyes.
- Using magnification: If you're using a magnifying glass or microscope while soldering, safety glasses provide an extra layer of protection.
In conclusion, wearing safety glasses while soldering is a smart safety precaution, even if not strictly mandatory. They can prevent eye injuries from hot solder, debris, chemicals, and eye strain.
5. Are safety glasses magnified ?
Regular safety glasses are not magnified. Their primary function is to protect your eyes from hazards, not enhance vision.
However, there are specific types of safety glasses that are magnified:
- Magnified Safety Glasses: These glasses feature lenses with slight magnification (usually +1.0 to +4.0 magnification) designed to help people see small details more clearly during close-up work. They are ideal for tasks like soldering, inspecting machinery, or working with intricate details.
Here's a quick comparison:
- Regular Safety Glasses: Offer protection without magnification, suitable for general workplace hazards.
- Magnified Safety Glasses: Provide both protection and magnified vision, ideal for close-up work requiring better visibility.
Choosing the right type depends on your specific needs. If you need eye protection but also require magnification for detailed tasks, then magnified safety glasses are a good option.
6. Are safety glasses required by OSHA ?
OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) doesn't have a blanket rule mandating safety glasses in all workplaces. However, OSHA regulations require employers to provide appropriate eye and face protection whenever there's a risk of eye injuries [OSHA Eye and Face Protection].
Here's a breakdown of OSHA's approach to eye protection:
- Employer Responsibility: The key concept is employer responsibility. OSHA standards mandate that employers conduct hazard assessments to identify potential workplace hazards [OSHA Hazard Identification].
- Eye Hazards Assessment: If the assessment reveals a risk of eye injuries from factors like flying objects, chemicals, radiation, or dust, employers must provide suitable eye protection [OSHA Eye and Face Protection].
- Appropriate Protection: The specific type of eye protection required depends on the identified hazard. Safety glasses might be sufficient for some situations, while goggles or face shields might be necessary for others [OSHA Eye and Face Protection].
So, OSHA doesn't directly mandate safety glasses, but it requires employers to provide them when there's a risk of eye injuries.
7. Are safety glasses uv protection ?
Not all safety glasses offer UV protection, but many do. Here's a breakdown:
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UV Protection: Safety glasses can be designed to block ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun. This is particularly important for outdoor workplaces or tasks where exposure to sunlight is frequent.
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Levels of Protection: The level of UV protection varies depending on the specific safety glasses. Some might block UVA and UVB rays completely, while others might offer partial protection.
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Identification: Look for labels or markings on the safety glasses that indicate their UV protection rating. Common certifications include UV400, which signifies blocking UV rays up to 400 nanometers (nm) wavelength, encompassing both UVA and UVB rays.
- Add-on option, on most lenses when you buy our safety glasses, they will be either included or would be an add-on option.