Safety Goggles
Eye Protection is a requirement under Regulation 4 of the Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulation 1992 when at risk in a hazardous area. Employers must provide personal protective equipment that offers suitable protection to personnel who may be exposed to potential health risks. You can find out more about safety goggles and protective eyewear in our comprehensive safety goggles guide.
Goggles or safety glasses are forms of eye wear that protect the area surrounding the eyes to protect them from water, dust, particles, bright light, , flying shards, chemical splashes, smoke and corrosive liquids, Many different types of industries use safety goggles such as:
- Chemistry and research Laboratories
- Wood working industries
- Soldering/ Welding workshops
- Aviation
- Construction and Building sites
Type of Safety Goggles
There are different types of goggles available: Direct Ventilation, Indirect Ventilation and Non-Vented Safety Goggles.
- Direct Ventilation - allow the direct flow of air into the goggle, in cases where impact is the hazard and a splash or vapour hazard does not exist, a direct vented goggle can be used as an appropriate level of protection.
- Indirect Ventilation - provide protection from splash entry by a hooded or covered vent. The vented portion of the goggle is designed so that no direct straight-line passage from the exterior to the interior of the goggle exists. The purpose of the indirect venting is to limit or prevent the passage of liquid splash into the goggle. In cases where chemical splash is a hazard, indirect vented goggles should be selected as appropriate protection.
- Non-Vented Safety Goggles - have no venting of any kind and offer protection against the passage of dust, mist, liquid and vapours.
Safety Goggle Lenses
Lenses come in different materials such as Glass, Plastic, Acetate, and Polycarbonate. Polycarbonate lenses provide the highest level of protection from impact. Some will also offer UV protection, anti - scratch and anti –mist, tinted or clear lenses. Prescription glasses are able to be worn under these goggles.