Choosing The Correct Eye Protection

What different types of vision protection are available?
Impact standards exist which are set the American National Standards Institute or "ANSI". Lean toward ANSI Approved eyewear. If the eye protection is ANSI approved, it is normally located next to the the temples of the eyewear and possibly on the lens itself.

ANSI has issued 2 impact standards for eye safety protection:

1. Basic: which is a glass or plastic lens. This eye safety approval is ANSI Z87. This is the average and less expensive vision protection.
2. High Impact: which is a polycarbonate lens, approval is ANSI Z87+. This type of eye safety protection meets military specifications and applications where maximum vision protection is necessary.

Why should you wear eye safety protection ?
To protect your eyesight. Injuries to the eye are expensive and 100% preventable.

Statistical information about eye injuries from lack of vision protection:

1. US employers have spent over $900,000,000 from to eye injuries.
   
2. 60% of all eye injuries happened because the worker was not wearing any eye safety protection whatsoever.
3. As per OSHA, (Occupational Health and Safety Administration) 90% of all eye injuries were 100% preventable.
4. Eye injuryies cost employers $3,600 on the average and a high end pair of safety glasses or protective eyewear cost approximately $9.00.

Who should wear vision protection?
Almost every job has one type of eye hazard or some form of vision safety issue. 40% are in the service industry: maintenance workers, machinists, electricians, etc. 50% of injured workers are employed with a manufacturer of sorts and 20% are in the construction related industries.

Reasons why workers do not wear eye safety protection or ignore vision safety?
The most popular excused is because employees feel that they look funny when certain vision protection is worn. Other excuses for ignoring eye safety:

• The lens is unserviceable, ie: fogged up, dirty, or have a worn or scratched surface.
• Vision protection that was issued did not fit properly.
• Workers got a headache while wearing the eye safety protection.
• The worker normally wore prescription style glasses instead of eye safety glasses.
• The worker misplaced their vision protection.
• The worker lost their vision protection.
• Eye safety is not monitored by management whom which do not comply with eye safety either.
  

Can I prevent eye injuries from occuring?
Yes, most certainly! Initiate training meetings that are held on a weekly basis. Document the meetings and have your employees sign off that they have completed their training. Insist that your workers participate in the meetings by reading, providing comments, and taking quizes so that you are certain that they understand your training. Start a safety committee that meets on a regular basis that is composed of a team of people from differing positions within the company. Put up safety signage in areas like break rooms or any location where the greatest percentage of the workforce travels through or takes breaks. Lead by example, wear your vision protection and insist that other management personnel get with the program as well. Insist that everyone should set an example when they are out in the work areas.

Z87.1 Approved Eyewear

What is the best method for selecting eye safety protection for my employees?

DESIGN:
Offer your workers more that one type of vision protection, market analysis indicates that wearers of eye safety protection warm up to fashionable designs rather than old school types. The newest types of vision safety eyewear on the market these days are just as effective (if not more) than older designs and cost generally the same or even less in some cases. If you wish to find out what eye protective designs appeal to your employees then ask them! Viper Safety has a complete line on our website and if you would like a wider selection to choose from request a catalog by clicking the "Contact Us" tab and let us know where to send it.  

LENS COATING:
Before ordering your eye protective wear, pay attention to the coatings. Failing to get anti-fog and anti-scratch coatings are two large reasons companies are sited for non compliance.

COMFORT OF TEMPLES:
Choose designs that have a very comfortable temple. Bayonet style temples fit above the top of your ears and will not put pressure on the mastoid bone of the ear. Spatula style temples which curve over the ear exert pressure on the mastoid bone and tend to be too tight. This condition will create a headache and hinder the performance and morale of workers. As you may know, a healthy and happy worker is a productive worker, this is a proven fact!

OVERALL BALANCE OF EYE SAFETY PROTECTION:
Vision protection should never be heavy in the front. If eyewear rests on the nose, they will slide down which is uncomfortable and annoying. This condition usually leads to eyewear being taken off more frequently which in turn increases the danger of eye safety issues. Every pair of eyewear that Viper safety carries is properly balanced for comfort that contributes to a more productive work day!

SAFETY LENS CONFIGURATION:
Choosing the right lens configuration for your vision protection is a key part of the selection.The distance between both eyes or "interpupilary distance" is the first item to take into account. Statisically, the average measurements between both eyes are 58mm and 72 mm.

Dual lens eye safety protection has two optical centers. "Old school" vision protecton and newer versions exist. An old school version would be the “Buddy Holly” design. The problem with this lens configuration is that your sight is impaired if a person or object is located at either side of about 90 degrees. Newer vision protection designs wrap around the side of your head allowing your eyes to pick up movement as though you were not wearing protective eye wear at all.

VISION PROTECTION ACCESSORIES:
Bring your standard of eye safety to a new level by utilizing eye safety accessories to maximize vision protection comfort. They help keep protective eyewear on your workers that prevents eye injuries:

1. Eye protection cleaning stations. Mount in high traffic areas for quick access, this will aid in OSHA compliance.
2. Eye protection cords. These cords are great for employees on the move although you must never use them around equipment where the cord or eye protecton could be caught and/or pull a person into equipment.
3. Vision protection cases. They aid in scratching up the lenses when the eye protection is taken off. These are great for more expensive vision protection.

ENCOURAGE YOUR WORKERS TO UTILIZE EYE PROTECTION AT HOME!
Very big companies encourage their workers to take eye protection home to protect against eye injuries when working in the shop, house or even while mowing the grass. Even an injury that was caused at home will cost an employer money because the worker will loose time from their job. This issue should heighten your level of concern for your employee's safety regardless if they are at work or at home. This puts a new spin on the mindset for the human safety culture. Show OSHA and your workforce that you care and put up a memo that encourages eye protection at home as well as in the work place.

Wrapping Up:
So, what's the best choice for eye protection at work?

-Could it be the least expensive type of eye protection? – Of course not!

-The most expensive pair of vision protection you can find? – No

-Is it eye protection you buy from Viper Safety? – We hope so!

-It is vision protection that employees are comfortable with and will wear every time!

-Fashionable eye safety protection that appeals to your workforce.

-A design with the lens configuration that fits your application the best.

Read this article on safety bollards: What's A Safety Bollard? 

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