How to pick a pair of safety glasses

It’s arguably the most essential piece of PPE in the industry.

Protective eyewear plays a crucial role in tasks with a high risk of eye damage, saving us from a nasty trip to the emergency room – or worse, losing our eyesight. 

So whether you’re welding, grinding or handling corrosive chemicals, it’s essential to wear the correct type of eye protection and ensure they fit correctly. 

But choosing the right eye safety gear isn’t as simple as picking up a new pair of sunnies. 

Model variation, lens material, fit, tinting and coating are other vital factors to be considered when selecting safety glasses. 

So, if you need a new pair of safety glasses? Here are Build-it’s top tips for what to look for when choosing your next pair.

Build-it’s safety glasses fitting guide

Unlike conventional glasses,  the “one size fits all” approach doesn’t apply to safety eyewear.

It is essential your safety glasses sit flush and securely on the face to minimise the risk of injury when undertaking high-risk tasks.

This is achieved by finding the right size and fit for your head.

It is also vital to consider the design and materials used, which can impact the field of vision, protection, and wearability. 

Are my current safety glasses suitable: 

• Do they fit the face snuggly? 
• Do they provide eye protection from all angles?
• Is your peripheral vision unobstructed? 
• Are they comfortable enough to wear for long periods? 
• Do they stay in place when performing work tasks/ under heavy movement? 

Choosing the right size:

According to the Australian and New Zealand Safety Eyewear standards, the design and shape of your safety glasses should align with the shape of your face. 

Do this by trialling several pairs that match your face shape and minimise any gap between the frame edges and your head.

To ensure the best fit possible, try modifying the glasses adjustable features, such as nose pads, temple length, and arms, to minimise open channels between the PPE and your face. 

Once you’ve found these options, the next step is to consider the glasses’ functionality, including comfort, lightness, coverage, visibility and ventilation.

Lastly, before you rush to the cash register, you must perform a movement and performance test. 

This entails reproducing personalised head movements, angles and motions you may typically perform on the work site.

Using this post-fitting tip, you can confirm that the glasses will stay secure while on the tools.

Fitting checklist:

1. No uncomfortable pressure points on the side of the head or behind the ears
2. The nose piece is comfortable and does not pinch. 
3. Good visibility in all directions. 
4. The weight of eyewear is evenly distributed. 
5.  Frames fit close to your face without hitting your eyelashes. 
6. The space around the frames and your face should be under 8mm. 
7. Gaps between the frame and the face are as small as possible
8. Lenses cover your eyebrow and any surrounding area. 
9. Safety glasses stay in place when you move your head. 
   

Other areas of consideration:

Securing the correct fit isn’t the only thing to consider when buying new safety eyewear. 

Always check for the glasses’ compliance labels and markings to ensure they meet the required safety standards and are listed as suitable for your work.

Your choice of lens, tint and coating are also important factors that should be determined by the specific workplace you are typically in and the tasks you perform.

For maximum effectiveness, lens coatings should offer resistance against fogging and scratching.