Safety Glasses: The Uses And Benefits Of Using Them

High quality and durable safety garments and accessories are extremely important for all those people who work in accident prone areas, industries and warehouses. Safety glasses are an important part of the entire kit. They provide protection to the eyes, and prevents injuries that might be caused by splinters or dust.

Safety Glasses: The Different Types And Their Uses

Direct Vented Glasses: These glasses ensure that there is circulation of environmental air into the glasses. These can be used in situations where any sort of chemical hazards, or gaseous fumes are not involved.

Indirect Vented Glasses: These glasses have a covered vent, or hood which ensures the circulation of fresh air, while preventing the direct passage of chemicals and liquids. The main purpose of indirect venting is to ensure that no damage is caused directly to the eyes by fumes and liquid chemicals. These glasses can be used in situations where there are possibilities of danger and injury from chemical hazards.

Non-Vented Glasses: Such glasses do not allow any kind of circulation and protect the eyes from mist, liquid, vapors and dust. These glasses can protect the eyes from damage that might be caused by flying objects, like splinters, wood particles etc.

However, these glasses are not gas-proof, and will fail to provide adequate protection to the eyes in gaseous hazardous situations.

Proper training aims at educating the employees, and making them capable of identifying the particular type of hazard in question. Employees can determine the type of hazard that they have to face and the safety measures required:

Potential Hazard: The kind of protection that is required.

Impact Injury: Safety glasses that have the feature of side-shield protection.

Dust Protection: Indirect vented glasses, or direct vented goggles provide adequate protection against the harmful effects of dust.

Chemical Splash: Non-vented or indirect vented glasses with side-shield protection is suitable for the purpose of avoiding chemical splashes.

Optical Radiation: In such cases, specially filtered glasses, like laser eye-wear will provide adequate protection.

Heat Hazards: Safety glasses and face-shields are required for the purpose of protecting the eyes and face from burns or any other damage caused by high temperatures.

Cleaning And Maintaining Safety Glasses

The longevity of safety glasses are greatly lengthened if they are cleaned regularly after use and stored properly. If the glasses have an anti-fog lens, then care should be taken not to scratch the surface and cause damage to it. It is best to remove the dust particles as gently as possible, and then allow the lens to dry on its own. This way, the chances of causing damage is minimized to a great extent.