Become a Safety Glasses Expert with these Tips

Safety glasses are more than another piece of equipment—they are a crucial line of protection between you and potential eye injury. Safety eyewear catering to your specific needs will protect your vision best. Shopping for safety glasses can feel overwhelming. We want to help you navigate modern safety glasses’ terminology, features, and benefits. Knowledge is power when it comes to choosing your perfect eye protection. Here’s what you need to know to find your ideal pair—

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Coverage

There are two primary types of coverage—frontal and lateral. This refers to how much a pair of safety glasses covers the front and sides of your face. Suppose you know you will be exposed to debris or impacts coming from many directions. In this case, you will want to maximize the coverage, which can be achieved with wraparound frames, brow and side shields, and large lenses. Maybe you work in a more contained environment. If so, you may not need all-around coverage and can focus on substantial frontal coverage. 

Temples

Temples are the pieces hinged on the sides of the frame that hold the glasses on your face by resting on your ears. They come in all shapes and sizes depending on the style of the frame and can range from thin metal rods to wide plastic sheets. Though sometimes extra shields are required, the temples can be the primary source of good lateral coverage. Remember to pay attention to the measurements of the temples listed in the product description to make sure they will be the right length for you. 

Shields

Many safety glasses are already equipped with shields for extra protection and coverage. These will often take the form of small plastic sheets that attach either to the temples or above the lenses. In some pairs, the function of the shields will be carried out by the temples, so they will not need any extra attachments. Others will come with the option of either removable or permanently attached side shields. If you know you only need additional protection in some situations, consider using the removable shields. For round-the-clock protection, opt for permanent protection. 

Ratings & Markings

How can you tell if safety glasses are good quality and what they protect against? All quality safety eyewear will come with markings indicating that it meets the ANSI standards for eye protection. This will appear in the corner of a lens or on the frames, and you must confirm it is present. Safety eyewear that is ANSI-compliant has survived a rigorous testing program that puts it up against blunt impact, splashes, and other kinds of debris. The most common markings you will see are z87.1, z87.1+, or z87.2. Each indicates a different level of impact resistance; see the definitions below for more information and to determine which suits you best. You may also see safety glasses marked with D3, D4, or D5. These markings indicate protection against droplets and splashes, dust, and fine dust, respectively. 

You are now ready to find the perfect eye protection for your needs. Put your new knowledge to work by browsing our catalog here. Our product descriptions are straightforward, and available features are organized clearly in the customization and check-out process so your safety eyewear buying experience is as smooth as possible.