Comparing Eye Protection

Regarding PPE and eye protection, which situations does choosing safety glasses vs goggles vs face shields fare better? Apparently, Australians suffer around 50.000 eye injuries every year even though many of them were wearing eye protection at the time of their injury.

Surprisingly, safety eyewear is often incorrectly fitted. In addition, it is not rated appropriately for the task. Worse is, however, it usually does not provide adequate protection. Subsequently, injuries often occur when foreign bodies enter under, over or around the sides of the safety eyewear, according to a 2008 report from Safe Work Australia (SWA).

As a consequence, these eye injuries can lead to permanent vision loss, contributing to depression and negatively affect work and social relationships, as described in a Comcare “Eye Health in the Workplace” guide.

Moreover, the most dangerous injuries for the eyes are construction, mining, agriculture, forestry and fishing industries, in which 60 per cent of all eye injuries in Australia occur. In fact, chemical splashes, metal or plastic debris hitting the eye, tools accidentally striking the face, and improper use of equipment are the most common causes.

Therefore, it is critical you have the appropriate eye protection. To put it differently, knowing when to use medium, high or extra high impact rated eye protection. Namely, when to use safety glasses, safety goggles, face shields or a combination of these.

Choosing your impact rating

Firstly, eye protection impact ratings are determined by its ability to withstand an impact. Specifically, from a weighted ball without cracking, detaching or dislodging, breaking or coming into contact with the eye or the head.

Low Impact: Can withstand impact from an object moving at 12 metres per second.

Medium Impact: Can withstand impact from an object moving up to 45 metres per second.

High Impact: Can withstand impact from an object moving up to 120 metres per second.

Extra High Impact: Can withstand impact from an object moving up to 190 metres per second.

Impact resistance Certification:

Accordingly, all ProChoice safety eyewear is rated medium impact or higher, have polycarbonate lenses; 99.9% UV protection and are Certified to AS/NZS1337.1:2010 Standards. In other words, that Certification means you have quality assurance that the product will perform as stated. Hence, check your safety eyewear to see if it has the Australian Standards logo which indicates they conform to tests for impact resistance.

Choosing Impact Resistance:

To illustrate, Figure 1.0 outlines how different ratings are marked while Figure 1.1 provides broad guidance on what impact protection rating should be considered for different tasks. Although this information should not be relied upon to determine suitable safety eyewear. Actually, a risk assessment should be carried out by a qualified OHS professional to choose which PPE suits your work environment.

Figure 1.0

Figure 1.1

^{Sourced from information contained in the US Eye and Face Protection e-Tool and Better Health Victoria’s Eye Safety at Work.}

The difference between glasses, goggles and face shields:

Markedly, safety glasses allow air in and around the eye area. Whereas eye protection goggles fit tight against the face, offering protection against dust and splashes. Correspondingly, face guard provides further protection and can also be worn over spectacles or goggles.

In determining suitable safety eyewear, by all means a risk assessment should be carried out by a qualified OHS professional to choose what suits your work environment.

In detail, Figure 2.0 gives some guidance on the selection of appropriate protective eyewear; whether a spectacle, goggle or face shield:

Figure 2.0

NOTE: Hence, ordinary eyewear such as prescription glasses, sunglasses or contact lenses do not offer appropriate eye protection. In fact, these can actually increase the severity of injuries in the event of an incident.

While impact resistance and the type of protection is critical, other considerations should be also included. For instance, the type of lense, the shape of your head and if anti-fog lenses for use in humid conditions are required (see more on these below).

UV Damage:

Furthermore, the sun’s ultraviolet radiation can cause a range of conditions, from mild irritation to cataracts and cancer of the conjunctiva.

Naturally, all ProChoice glasses are safety sunglasses as well – even those with clear lenses – provide 99.9% UV protection so if you are using a ProChoice product, this is one eye hazard you do not need to worry about.

Choosing the Right Lense:

Similarly, the correct choice of lense finish plays an important part in the safety eyewear selection process. Consider the following features:

Amber Lenses: The characteristics of the filter show absorption of the blue light in the visible range. It also produces contrast enhancement in low light.

Clear Lenses: Provide protection against general indoor hazards.

Smoke Lenses: Filter harmful UV rays as well as visible light and reduces glare from artificial light.

Polarised Lenses: Filter glare and enhance contrast.

Mirror Lenses: The mirror coating reduces the amount of light through the lens by reflecting the glare.

Indoor / Outdoor Lenses: A slight mirror coating on a clear lense allows more visible light through and reduces glare from artificial light.

Choosing the right frame shape:

Finally, all ProChoice eye protection has a “frame shape”. This is designed to match the user’s face shape as well as provide the best possible fit, comfort and protection.

Oval shaped faces

have a forehead that’s just slightly wider than their chin (like an upside down egg). Meanwhile, the jawline is somewhat rounded and the face shape is longer than it is wide. Suited Frame Shape: Square with rounded edges

Straight sides of the face

typify a square face, and they are nearly as wide as they are long. Above all, a strong jawline is defining feature of this face shape, with only a minimal curve. Suited Frame Shape: Oval shape

Round faces

are often associated with round plump cheeks but that isn’t always the case. In this case, the cheekbones are the widest part of the face on round face shapes and the jaw will be curved. Much like a square face but with softer angles. Suited Frame Shape: Wide and angular

Heart-shaped faces

have a long and pointed jawline. Ultimately, the chin is the smallest point of a heart shaped face, much like an upside down triangle. Suited Frame Shape: Rounded edges

Long or rectangular face shapes

are characterised by a long length but also forehead, cheeks and jawline should all be pretty much the same width. Suited Frame Shape: Oversized, round or square frames

A diamond shaped face

has a narrow and pointed chin as well as high cheekbones. In contrast to heart shaped faces, the hairline is narrower on a diamond shaped face. Suited Frame Shape: Oval or frameless shapes

For more insight into this topic see the following related articles:

• Eye Safety Guide
• Choosing the right eye protection
• Preventing fogging in protective eyewear
• Angle grinder randomly explodes