Any employer with workers who are engaged in any duties that might be harmful to their eyes and face knows that they have certain duties in relation to the provision of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). But how do you choose the right type of equipment? There are many types of goggles and glasses available.
General Rules
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) provides advice on this and the basic rules are that the workplace should be made as safe as possible. Proper training should be provided, and specific procedures put in place to enable this. However, there will still be cases where safety goggles are required.
In this context, you should consider what risks your workers will be exposed to, for example, flying sparks or hazardous chemicals, because different goggles have different specifications. Whichever ones you need, they should bear the CE mark, in line with the Personal Protective Equipment Regulations of 2002.
Safety glasses are designed to shield the workers' eyes from flying particles and objects, but they won't help against noxious substances.
Safety goggles form a seal around the eye area to prevent objects from getting under the goggles. There are different types for different levels of protection. Some have vents to prevent them fogging up. You can also source what are known as cover safety goggles to go over an employee's own corrective spectacles.
Face shields protect either the whole or part of the face.
Then there are different types of coating to consider. Mirrored lenses to protect against infra-red, amber lenses for low-light, pink lenses for sharpened visual acuity, grey lenses or polarised lenses are good for outdoor work, and so forth.
A reputable supplier such as UK Commercial Supplies will be able to help you make the right choice and provide you with a full range of safety eye protection.