A Safety Glasses Buying Guide

The best way to prevent eye injuries is by wearing safety glasses. In America, each year hundreds of thousands of people suffer from eye injuries which could have been prevented with the right kind of eyewear. Ninety percent of these injuries could have been prevented with safety eyewear.

Many Cheap Options

When the time comes to shop for safety glasses, you will come across tons of cheap options. Even so, the task of picking the right eyeglasses can prove to be daunting given the vast number of types and brands and styles to choose from. Read on to find out how you can pick the best pair for your needs and budget.

Know What Hazards You are Facing

To start with, you need to be clear about the kind of eye safety hazards you are going to be dealing with. Depending on the kind of hazards you have to deal with, you will need to pick a pair that best handles those circumstances. Each task may even require a different kind of safety glasses.

Physical and Mechanical Risks

If you are going to be dealing with physical and mechanical risks then you should pick a pair that protects you against flying particles. If you are dealing with radiation, then you need to pick a pair that protects you against dangerous light. If you work in extreme temperatures, then you need to pick a pair that protects you against intense heat.

Different Lens Materials

The second aspect of choosing the right safety glasses requires you to know the different types of lens materials. Polycarbonate for example is a material that has outstanding impact resistance while also being very light and offering UV protection. NXT and Trivex lens materials can offer the same benefits as polycarbonate lenses but are more expensive. Acrylic is another cheap lens material that is lighter than glass and also resistant to solvents. It is not very durable and has low optical clarity. Glass is great for scratch protection and optical clarity but is heavy and costly as well as cannot protect you against impacts.

Frame and Lens Options

Third, you need to consider frame and lens options. There are a few things to keep in mind here including aesthetics and comfort as well as functionality. Each of these factors will have an impact on the type of frames and lenses you end up choosing. Just make sure that you pick safety glasses that is attractive and functional as well as comfortable and easy to use.

As for lens coatings, you need to pick something that improves functionality. Anti-fog coatings for example are very popular as they cut fogging. Hard coats and hydrophobic coatings are another options worth considering.

You should also choose the right lens tints. This is vital for your safety glasses and low light or indoor uses, you need to choose clear lenses. Shades are popular when working in the outdoors. You should also use special tints when working with a welding machine or arc machine.

Comfortable and Well-Designed

Finally, when choosing safety glasses, you need to look for something comfortable and well-designed. Your glasses should be aesthetically pleasing and very comfortable. Go with eyewear that is light in weight and which has an ergonomic design. It is also possible to pick styles with various frame sizes to accommodate your large or small face.

Yet another aspect of choosing the right safety glasses involves knowing its safety ratings. If you are buying your eyewear in the US, then you should go with a pair that has the ANSI Z87.1 standard. This marking ensures that your safety glasses are properly tested and that they adhere to all standards for safety.

Keep in mind that you do not have to allow yourself to be overwhelmed by all the choices available to you. This guide spells out all the main points that you have to factor in before making your decision. It is always a good idea to make the right considerations so that when you invest your money in safety glasses, you are assured that you are making the right choice. As for comfort, you cannot afford to make any compromises here. So, choose a pair with soft nose pads and rubber temples as well as which is ergonomically designed.