Eye protection
What you should know about eye protection
You must use safety glasses or a visor if you work in places where there is a risk of getting something in the eyes, e.g., splinters/particles or chemicals. You should also wear glasses if affected by sunlight or during welding/cutting work.
How to choose the right eye protection
First, you need to decide whether to use a frame glasses or goggles. Goggles fit better and are often used when working with liquid chemicals.
It is important to choose glasses that fit your face. Then, find the glasses that fit your face. There are differences in the size of the glasses; some can be adjusted in the temples (length and angle). It is important that they fit snugly to the face so they keep particles and chemicals out.
To achieve the best seal, there is an option to buy a model with foam sealing and a strap that keeps the glasses close to the head.
If you also need to use hearing protection, it is important to choose a model where the temples are not too thick.
If you need to protect the entire face, you should choose a visor.
Lens material
Most safety glasses are made of polycarbonate.
Polycarbonate lenses are suitable for, e.g., grinding tasks. They withstand impacts from sparks and particles without being damaged. However, if solvents come into contact, they turn gray and cloudy. For solvents, acetat lenses or polycarbonate with special coatings can be used instead.
There are different types of coatings on the glasses – anti-fog and anti-scratch. These help increase comfort and the durability of the glasses.
Types of eye protection:
Common types of glasses with lenses made of impact-resistant polycarbonate or chemical-resistant acetate are available in many variants regarding design, materials, and functions. They provide good protection for the eyes if the glasses are fitted to the user.
Closed glasses that fit snugly to the face have lenses made of impact-resistant polycarbonate or chemical-resistant acetate. These are suitable for tasks where splashes from chemicals or fine dust may occur, which can damage the eyes.
Passive hearing protection with tight-fitting ear cups that keep noise out. Passive hearing protectors are available with different attenuation values and in various models, for example with a headband, neckband, foldable, or helmet-mounted.
Face shields and visors are used where the user's face needs to be protected from splashes, particles, and heat, or during welding. Visors are available in many different materials, designs, and sizes.
EN 166: Eye protection, requirements and specifications
EN 167: Eye protection, optical test methods
EN 168: Eye protection, non-optical test methods
EN 169: Eye protection, DIN glasses
EN 170: Eye protection, UV filters
EN 171: Eye protection, infrared filters
EN 172: Eye protection, sun filters for occupational use
EN 175: Eye and face protection during welding
EN 207: Eye protection, filters and eye protection against laser radiation
EN 208: Eye protection, filters and eye protection for working with lasers and laser systems
EN 379: Eye protection, automatic welding filters
EN 1731: Eye protection, eye and face protection of net type
Marking of frame and lens
The lens and frame of the glasses are marked with numbers and letters that define the properties and performance level of the glasses (the shown is only an example).
This guide is prepared by
Nordic Safety Alliance
Specialists in safety equipment for industry and construction for 80 years.