How to Choose Safety Glasses for Work: Types, Lenses and Protection Levels

During drilling, metal cutting, woodworking, construction and manufacturing operations, the eyes may be exposed to dust, chips, sparks, fragments and liquid splashes. Ordinary prescription glasses are not designed to withstand such hazards, so special personal protective equipment must be used at work.

Properly selected safety glasses not only reduce the risk of eye injury but also provide comfort throughout the working shift. Let us look at the available types of safety glasses, the differences between open and closed models, and what to consider when choosing them.

What Hazards Do Safety Glasses Protect Against?

Before choosing a specific model, it is necessary to identify the main workplace hazards. Safety glasses can be used for protection against:

• metal, wood and plastic chips;
• fragments of the material being processed;
• construction and industrial dust;
• sparks and small hot particles;
• liquid splashes;
• ultraviolet and other optical radiation;
• headwind and airflow when working outdoors.

The model must be selected according to the specific type of work. Glasses suitable for parts assembly or manual installation may not provide the required level of protection during grinding, work with chemicals or welding.

Open and Closed Safety Glasses: What Is the Difference?

By design, safety glasses are divided into open and closed types.

Open-Type Safety Glasses

Open safety glasses look similar to ordinary glasses. They have one or more lenses, temples and side protection elements.

Their main advantages are:

• low weight;
• good ventilation;
• comfort during prolonged wear;
• a wide field of view;
• easy and quick to put on and remove.

These models are used for installation, assembly, fitting, repair and many construction tasks when the main hazard is particles flying primarily from the front.

The INEGVA catalogue includes the open models BASIS, ARMOR, UNIVERSAL, PROFI, ASPECT and ACTIVE. Some models allow adjustment of the temple length or lens angle, helping the glasses fit the user more precisely.

Closed-Type Safety Goggles

Closed goggles fit more closely to the face and protect the eyes not only from the front but also from the sides. Instead of ordinary temples, they are generally secured with an elastic strap.

Such goggles are appropriate where there is a large amount of dust, fine particles or a risk of contaminants entering from different directions.

Closed models can be:

• with direct ventilation;
• with indirect ventilation;
• sealed.

Direct ventilation improves airflow but is not intended for conditions requiring isolation from fine dust or splashes. Indirect ventilation helps reduce the ingress of particles. Sealed models provide the closest fit, but their specific area of application must be determined from the product marking and documentation.

INEGVA manufactures closed safety goggles, including models with direct and indirect ventilation as well as sealed SPACER goggles.

Which Lenses Should You Choose?

The type and colour of the lens affect visibility, contrast perception and the ability to work under different lighting conditions.

Clear Lenses

This is a universal solution for indoor areas and work zones with normal or insufficient lighting. A clear lens should not distort images or colours.

Such glasses are used:

• in production workshops;
• during repair and installation work;
• in warehouses;
• in workshops;
• when processing metal, wood or plastic.

Tinted Lenses

Tinted glasses can be comfortable when working outdoors or in bright light. However, lens colour alone does not guarantee protection from ultraviolet or specialised radiation. The intended use and marking of the specific model must be checked.

Amber Lenses

Amber or yellow lenses increase visual contrast in low light, cloudy weather or indoor areas with poor visibility. At the same time, they alter colour perception, which must be considered when performing precision work.

Protection Against Scratching and Fogging

A scratched or fogged lens impairs visibility and may cause a worker to remove the glasses in a hazardous area. Therefore, special coatings should be considered when choosing glasses.

An anti-scratch coating increases the surface resistance to abrasion from dust and small particles. An anti-fog coating helps keep the lens clear during temperature changes, physical exertion or work in high humidity.

INEGVA offers models with VISION and UltraVISION coatings, designed to increase lens resistance to abrasive particles, as well as options with anti-fog protection. The required configuration should be agreed when placing the order.

How to Choose Glasses for Different Types of Work

For Construction and Installation Work

Drilling, driving fasteners, cutting materials or installing cable systems generally requires lightweight glasses with side protection and sufficient mechanical strength.

If a significant amount of dust is generated, a closed model should be considered. The choice between direct ventilation, indirect ventilation and a sealed design depends on the nature of the contamination.

For Work with Angle Grinders and Grinding Tools

During cutting or grinding, particles may travel at high speed and strike the face from different angles. The glasses must have verified mechanical strength, side protection and a secure fit to the face.

Depending on the risk assessment, safety glasses and a face shield may need to be worn together. A shield does not always replace glasses because particles can enter beneath it from the side or below.

For Woodworking

Sawing, drilling and sanding wood generate chips and fine dust. Open glasses with side protection may be used for short operations, while closed goggles should be used where dust concentrations are high.

Eye protection must be combined with an appropriate respirator if fine dust is present in the work area.

For Work with Chemicals

Where there is a risk of splashes, goggles whose design and marking specifically provide this type of protection must be used. Ordinary open models are not suitable.

The compatibility of the goggles with a respirator, mask and other personal protective equipment must also be checked.

For Welding

Ordinary clear or tinted work glasses are not designed to protect against a welding arc. Welding requires special filters, goggles or helmets with the appropriate shade level and verified protection against optical radiation.

Why Marking Is Important

The appearance of the glasses does not provide complete information about their level of protection. Before purchasing, check:

• the intended use of the product;
• lens and frame markings;
• mechanical strength;
• optical class;
• the specified types of protection;
• compliance with standards;
• product certificates and documentation.

Requirements for eye protection are gradually transitioning from previous European standards to the EN ISO 16321 series. More information about these changes is available in the INEGVA article on the transition from EN 166 to EN ISO 16321.

When selecting glasses for a company, it is important to consider not only the name of the standard but also the specific protective properties stated in the model documentation and marking.

How to Check the Fit

Even certified glasses will not provide the expected protection if they are incorrectly selected or uncomfortable.

Before use, make sure that the glasses:

• do not slip off when bending or making sudden movements;
• do not press on the bridge of the nose or temples;
• do not leave hazardous gaps at the sides;
• do not restrict the field of view;
• do not distort the image;
• are compatible with a helmet, hearing protection and respirator;
• remain comfortable for the required period.

Companies with many employees should provide several models or sizes. A single design cannot fit every user equally well.

Common Selection Mistakes

Problems most often arise because of the following mistakes:

1. Using ordinary glasses instead of safety glasses.
2. Choosing only by appearance or price.
3. Ignoring side protection.
4. Using an open model in highly dusty conditions.
5. Using scratched or damaged lenses.
6. Failing to check markings and documentation.
7. Using glasses that are incompatible with other PPE.
8. Using tinted lenses for welding without the appropriate filter.
9. Continuing to use glasses that impair visibility or do not stay securely on the face.

Wholesale Safety Glasses from a Ukrainian Manufacturer

INEGVA manufactures open and closed safety glasses for construction, industry, installation companies, retail chains and distributors.

Wholesale customers can benefit from:

• various designs and lens colours;
• assistance in selecting models;
• product branding;
• production of temples in corporate colours;
• custom packaging, instructions and inserts;
• private-label manufacturing;
• delivery across Ukraine and for export.

To select glasses for your company or build a wholesale product range, contact INEGVA managers. Our specialists will help match the working conditions and required protection level with the available models.

Frequently Asked Questions