What Protects Your Eyes - OSHA Approved Safety Glasses
It used to be common for workers to scoff at the idea of wearing any sort of
personal protection equipment, or PPE. However, the times, the technology and
the laws have changed. The workplace today is a much safer place as a result.
The Occupational Safety and Health Act was passed in 1970 to "assure safe and
healthy working conditions for working men and women". OSHA, the governmental
agency responsible for the enforcement of the 1970 Act, determines the safety
regulations required for all businesses in the US.
Hardhats, safety glasses and
goggles, steel-toed boots, protective clothing, harnesses and radioactive
dosimeter badges are just a few examples of PPE that may be required on today's
job-sites. The degree and type of PPE use is dependent on the industry.
Mandatory Personal Protective Equipment
OSHA requires that all workers use mandatory PPE in any job that poses a threat
to one's health. It is the employer's responsibility to assess the workplace for
potential health threats and implement the necessary steps to address any
hazard. If such a hazard is present, the employer must supply the PPE and
educate the employee on both the potential hazards and the proper use of the
PPE.
Safety glasses must be worn in any situation where the worker is or might be
exposed to flying debris, often in the form of sparks, dust or splashes. The
safety glasses of today have advanced far beyond the thick, black rimmed
spectacles or the awkward goggles of the 1950s.
Safety glasses can be made to
a prescription and safety bifocals, trifocals and progressive focus lenses are
standard. The lens material, too, has changed. There now exist several
options, from the original plastic to a new substance, polycarbonate.
Polycarbonate lenses are lighter and more impact resistant, but sacrifice
optical clarity. A third material is Trivex, the most impact resistant, while
retaining excellent optical clarity, but this lens material is quite expensive
and still not as widely available as polycarbonate. All of these materials can
be coated a variety of tints, both cosmetic and functional.
Goggles have become
somewhat of a dinosaur, as the tendency to fog, the poor optical clarity and the
downright discomfort have made them obsolete, except in specific circumstances.
Z-87 Cerification
Any safety glasses that meet or exceed OSHA standards has "Z-87" stamped on the
lens or temple piece. Thanks to advances in chemistry and the safety industry,
the safety glasses of today, while virtually indistinguishable from trendy,
brand name sunglasses, protect the user from almost any hazard from a flying
chip to a caustic liquid.
personal protection equipment, or PPE. However, the times, the technology and
the laws have changed. The workplace today is a much safer place as a result.
The Occupational Safety and Health Act was passed in 1970 to "assure safe and
healthy working conditions for working men and women". OSHA, the governmental
agency responsible for the enforcement of the 1970 Act, determines the safety
regulations required for all businesses in the US.
Hardhats, safety glasses and
goggles, steel-toed boots, protective clothing, harnesses and radioactive
dosimeter badges are just a few examples of PPE that may be required on today's
job-sites. The degree and type of PPE use is dependent on the industry.
Mandatory Personal Protective Equipment
OSHA requires that all workers use mandatory PPE in any job that poses a threat
to one's health. It is the employer's responsibility to assess the workplace for
potential health threats and implement the necessary steps to address any
hazard. If such a hazard is present, the employer must supply the PPE and
educate the employee on both the potential hazards and the proper use of the
PPE.
Safety glasses must be worn in any situation where the worker is or might be
exposed to flying debris, often in the form of sparks, dust or splashes. The
safety glasses of today have advanced far beyond the thick, black rimmed
spectacles or the awkward goggles of the 1950s.
Safety glasses can be made to
a prescription and safety bifocals, trifocals and progressive focus lenses are
standard. The lens material, too, has changed. There now exist several
options, from the original plastic to a new substance, polycarbonate.
Polycarbonate lenses are lighter and more impact resistant, but sacrifice
optical clarity. A third material is Trivex, the most impact resistant, while
retaining excellent optical clarity, but this lens material is quite expensive
and still not as widely available as polycarbonate. All of these materials can
be coated a variety of tints, both cosmetic and functional.
Goggles have become
somewhat of a dinosaur, as the tendency to fog, the poor optical clarity and the
downright discomfort have made them obsolete, except in specific circumstances.
Z-87 Cerification
Any safety glasses that meet or exceed OSHA standards has "Z-87" stamped on the
lens or temple piece. Thanks to advances in chemistry and the safety industry,
the safety glasses of today, while virtually indistinguishable from trendy,
brand name sunglasses, protect the user from almost any hazard from a flying
chip to a caustic liquid.
<< Beranda