Protecting your eyes is a must and should never be compromised or taken for granted. Safety glasses are an essential part of your workwear and are the ultimate defence for your eyes against hazards.

Many workplaces can be dangerous, with dust, dirt, debris and chemicals flying around, plus any number of other unexpected hazards. One wrong move or one unlucky accident can put your eyes in the firing line and you can easily find yourself in the emergency room, at risk of losing your vision (or even worse!)

That's why it's crucial to consistently use safety glasses as part of your daily workwear. Unfortunately though, workplace eye injuries are all too common in many Aussie industries.

Your eye protection could be the difference between a safe day at work and a life-changing injury.


Eye Safety on Australian Worksites

According to Safe Work Australia, there are over 500 emergency room admissions annually from workplace accidents. Most of them involve getting foreign bodies in the eye.

It sounds simple, but these common accidents can cause life-changing injuries.

The solution is simple, too; avoid eye injuries by wearing well-fitting and compliant safety glasses.

Australian employers, under the Work Health and Safety legislation are required to:

  • Provide Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) suited to the job - including protective eyewear.
  • Provide proper training for workers on wearing, cleaning, and checking their safeties.
  • Do regular safety audits to spot worn-out workwear.

People working in construction, mining, and agriculture should wear eye protection as part of their everyday workwear.


The Australian Standard

Safety glasses must comply with the AS/NZS 1337.1 safety standards.

If you see this certification, you know that the safety glasses have been tested and certified for Australian worksites.

During the testing, the glasses will have been certified to have the following features:

  • Impact Resistance: The glasses are tough enough to protect your eyes from medium impact collisions.
  • Coverage: The glasses must have side protection and a secure fit around your eyes to prevent hazards from entering your eyes at the side.
  • Visibility: Clear or tinted lenses shouldn't distort vision.

Look for the AS/NZS 1337.1 marking on the glasses and the packaging.


Types of Workwear Safety Glasses

Clear Lens

Clear lenses are perfect for indoor use and general protection, allowing you to see clearly in low light.

Tinted and Polarised Lens

Tinted and Polarised lenses have high-level protection from the sun’s harmful UV rays. For that reason, they’re best for outdoor jobs, like construction, mining, or landscaping.

However, there are differences between Polarised and Tinted lenses. Polarised lenses filter out horizontal light which reduces glare from reflective surfaces. This makes them great for driving, or when you’re out on the water.

Prescription Safety Glasses

Safety glasses are available with prescription lenses! You can get Progressive, Bifocal, Vocational and Single Vision prescription lenses.

Prescription safety glasses could be your best option for eye protection on site, avoiding contact lenses, or ridiculous ‘overs’ that don’t fit properly and are uncomfortable.

Sealed Goggles

For some jobs, you need heavy-duty eye protection. For intense, gritty, dusty jobs, you need a pair of sealed goggles.

Dangers like thick dust, biohazards, and chemical splashes require extra protection with a seal to avoid anything getting underneath your safety glasses.

If you’re working on heavy-duty jobs, don’t risk it by wearing anything less than a full-seal.

Over-Specs

‘Overs’ are worn over regular glasses to improve safety. They're usually clear, and your day-to-day glasses can fit inside them.

Yes, they do increase eye safety. But they’re not a comfortable or reliable long-term solution. You’re much better off getting a pair of prescription safety glasses that you can wear for long shifts day after day.

 

What to Look For 

If you’re wearing safety glasses on a daily basis (which you should be), you don't just want to chuck on any old pair.

You need to make sure you’re getting a pair that provides the right protection, is comfortable for a long day on the job, offers the extra features you need, and also looks good!

If they do all those things, not only do you know that your eyes are safe, but you’re also going to want to wear them all day, every day. Whereas if you just buy a cheap pair without any thought, they’re probably going to be horrible to wear on your face all day, and may not even do the simple job of protecting your eyes properly.

It's better to buy the best pair than buy a cheap pair you’ll regret later on.

Here are the things to look out for when buying your safety glasses:

  • Impact Resistance: Don't compromise your safety. Get glasses that can withstand impact.
  • UV Protection: Australia's harsh sun means you need glasses that protect your eyes from UV rays.
  • Anti-Fog and Scratch Resistance: Stop your glasses from fogging and scratching easily to keep crystal clear vision.
  • Non-Slip Technology: To help your glasses fit securely on your face, even if you sweat bullets on the job.
  • Comfortable Design: Comfort is crucial and means you’re able to do your job whilst working long hours.
  • Lens Material: Safety glasses made of polycarbonate are durable and lightweight.


Care and Maintenance

Safety glasses take a beating. They’re on the front line all day every day, and can take some serious punishment.

In the past, people have been guilty of going through safety glasses at a rapid rate - sometimes even multiple pairs a day! 

It’s good practice to look after your safety glasses - especially if you’re investing in a quality pair that looks good and you love wearing them.

Here are some tips to help you look after your quality pair of safety glasses (and regular glasses, too!):

  • Clean with a microfibre cloth and lens cleaner made for coated lenses.
  • Avoid rough treatment that might damage the lenses.
  • Keep your glasses in a protective case. Avoid leaving them rattling around in your pocket, bag, or toolbox to avoid scratching the lenses.
  • Don’t place them face down on the lenses. Instead, rest them on the arms.

Maintaining your pair can make them last months or years, saving you money on buying new pairs, and is more environmentally friendly.

For further information, check out SafeStyle's blog on this topic here