Best PPE For Eye Protection!

The industrial workplace is a den of hazards & mishaps. Industrial workplaces have cutting tools, metal cutters, dangerous chemicals, high temperatures, and what not? Any individual working in an industrial workplace is educated & trained of the perils, hazards, and mishaps that may occur untimely. This eliminates any chances of accidents due to a lack of information & training. 

As a part of training about occupational safety & health, individuals are trained about PPE. PPE stands for Personal Protective Equipment. This PPE is responsible for the safety of the individual, just in case if any mishap occurs. In this article, we are specifically discussing different types of PPE for eye protection.

Why Do We Need PPE For Eye Protection?

Workplace Hazards

Many operations that are carried out in industries like construction, healthcare, agriculture food processing, metallurgy, mining, manufacturing, and many others have high risks. Operations like grinding, chemical mixing & agitation, crushing, metal cutting, drilling, and others often are carried out in many industries. Be it the use of huge & heavy machinery or dangerous pathogens. In some cases, industrial personnel & researchers need to work around & with light. Also, industries often handle dangerous chemicals & gases. 

PPE for eye protection is responsible for protection against splashes of these chemicals and in restricting pathogens. Many types of PPE for eye protection also help in reflecting light, UV rays, and other related stuff. There are PPE for eye protection that is used to protect an individual from metal & wood chips that may be thrown off at a high speed. PPE for eye protection differs based on the degree of protection required and the peril against which protection is required. 

Why should an employer worry about PPE for eye protection?

Human eyes are highly sensitive and may get easily damaged. Industrial workplace hazards can cause permanent damage to the eyes. If you are an employer, then any permanent damage to the worker, especially to the parts which affect the working efficiency must be avoided in all cases. Not only is it harmful to the individual who has suffered the damage, but as an employer, you may lose a trusted employee and have to pay the worker’s comp. 

One must understand that many nations, including the US, have very strict laws regarding workers’ comp, especially when it has been caused due to the negligence of the employer. Lack of provision & training related to PPE is considered to be negligent behavior from the employer’s side. If there is any eye damage, then it not only hampers the working efficiency of an individual but also may induce a temporary or permanent reduction in the vision. In worst cases, temporary or permanent blindness may occur.

Why is it better to wear PPE for eye protection?

It is estimated that around 15 percent of individuals working in the above-mentioned industries are working in high-risk conditions for eyes without proper safety gear. This is the situation of the most developed industrialized nations. The situation could be worse in other developing or under-developed nations.

So, to protect ourselves from such hazards, it becomes essential that one must wear proper PPE for eye protection. Always wear PPE for eye protection that is designed & tailor-made for specific conditions. Depending upon the level and kind of risk, PPE for eye protection must be used accordingly. This ensures that PPE properly protects eyes and forbids any damaging effects.

Curious ones can check out our blog on different types of PPE that are worn in an industry.

What Are The Different Kinds Of PPE for Eye Protection? 

There are different elements that can damage our ears. So, it is obvious that we have different PPE for eye protection. Broadly classified, the PPE are safety glasses and safety goggles. Both these differ on the basis of how they maintain their balance. Glasses require a nose bridge while goggles do not necessarily need a nose bridge. There are many other differences between them. 

Mostly, PPE for eye protection comprises goggles as they have adjustable straps and do not get displaced easily from impacts. The next classification depends upon the type of hazard. Let’s look at a few PPE for eye protection in detail.

For more details, you can check out the differences between safety glasses and safety goggles.

Chemical Splash Goggles

For chemical splashes & spills, there are specially designed chemical-resistant chemical splash goggles. There is usually a range of chemical splash goggles depending upon the concentration and type of chemical. Chemicals can cause permanent damage to the eyes, and hence one must take extreme care using chemical splash goggles while handling and working around chemicals. 

Cutting Goggles

There are multiple operations like drilling, cutting, grinding, and many others that involve spark or small wood (or metal pieces) to hit back in different directions. If an individual is not wearing cutting goggles, then these high-speed particles can hit & damage the eye. Cutting goggles are necessary to safeguard eyes from these sharp damaging particles.

UV Safety Goggles

UV safety goggles are usually used by individuals working in the sun, around the UV lamps, or researchers working with UV rays. UV rays can cause serious permanent damage to the eyes.

Laser Safety Goggles (or Glasses)

These goggles (or glasses) are used in industries that use lasers. If one looks at the laser for a long time, then it can potentially harm the eyes. This PPE for eye protection act as a barrier, and protect eyes from any damage due to the laser.  

General Safety (or Protective) Goggles (or Glasses)

They act as a barrier between the eyes and the outer environment. This PPE for eye protection safeguards for pathogens, dust particles, and other such substances. They are widely used in labs, healthcare, and other sectors. They are recommended whenever there is a possible mishap that can cause damage to the eyes.

How And When Do We Use PPE for Eye Protection?

PPE for eye protection is widely used whenever there is any potential danger that can cause damage to the eyes. Depending upon the extent and type of hazard, there are different PPE for eye protection. General safety goggles are used whenever there is a barrier required between eyes & the external environment. Donning PPE for eye protection is relatively simple. Even without training, one can easily handle safety goggles or glasses.

 

Check out our blog on the maintenance & storage of PPE.

Conclusion

Industrial workplaces are full of occupational hazards. It makes these places risky to work. So, one needs a proper PPE for protection against these hazards. The eyes are one of the most sensitive organs of our body. This makes PPE for eye protection much more vital than ever. 

There are multiple types of PPE for eye protection based on the design of the protective eyewear, type & extent of the hazard. PPE for eye protection are Chemical Splash Goggles, Cutting Goggles, UV Safety Goggles, Laser Safety Goggle (or Glasses), and General Safety (or Protective) Goggles or Glasses. PPE for eye protection is simple to wear, use, and remove.