10 Best Safety Glasses (Review) In 2021

Features To Look For In Safety Glasses

Protection Level – Some work situations can be quite hazardous and even under rigorous safety conditions, accidents can happen. While some safety glasses offer eye protection for ordinary tasks like gardening or minor repairs around the home, other jobs require glasses that are sturdier and offer a higher level of protection. These safety glasses must be impact and scratch resistant without hindering your ability to complete your work.  Depending on the type of work you are engaged in, you may very well need more protection. In this case, look for safety glasses that comply with industry standards.

Safety Standards – When it comes to choosing the best safety glasses for the workplace, you really need to check the safety standards of the glasses and ensure they comply with the regulations for your particular industry. This is especially important if you are providing safety glasses for your employees. At the same time, you want to keep your eyes safe too. Every industry has its own set of safety standards and that includes the use of appropriate safety glasses. Make sure you only purchase safety glasses that comply to the relevant safety guidelines to avoid unnecessary compensation claims, but most importantly, to protect your eyes, and that of anyone working with you.

Quality – Considering the purpose of safety glasses, quality is of the utmost importance. There are many cheap safety glasses available, but it won’t be long before you are throwing them out and searching for a replacement. Hopefully before they fail to protect your eyes. Safety glasses come in a range of prices, and most are not overly expensive to begin with. That is why it would be wiser to invest in good quality safety glasses that will usually only cost a fraction more than the cheap imitations. Look at putting quality above cost when purchasing safety glasses.

Size – We all come in different shapes and sizes and not all heads are the same size. When choosing a pair of safety glasses for yourself, it’s always a good idea to try them on first. Fortunately, many safety glasses come with adjustable temple arms so you can adapt them to the right size for you.

Fit – As with size, you really need to find a pair of safety glasses that are a suitable fit. Safety glasses should fit snugly and comfortably around your eye region so that they are not pinching or squeezing your head. Loose fitting glasses may seem like a good idea for comfort, but if the safety glasses are loose, they may leave certain areas around your eyes exposed to the point of allowing dust, splashed chemicals or detergents or other particles into your eyes. Aim for glasses that fit snugly, without being too tight, and ones that fit close to your head, particularly your eyes, so that your eyes will remain completely protected.

Materials – Flimsy materials or cheap plastic simply will not do when it comes to eye protection glasses. For one, they will scratch quickly impairing clear vision while you work. Most good quality glasses feature the strength of polycarbonate lenses which protect your eyes from scratches and impact. The materials used for the construction of the glasses needs to be made from durable, yet flexible materials so they fit comfortably and offer adequate protection. The glasses should also feature soft cushioning materials around the bridge of the nose and along the temple arms to prevent discomfort during prolonged use.

Colors & Coatings – There are a number of coatings and colors you can choose from when shopping for safety glasses. Some of the tints available make for great polarized safety glasses making them ideal for working outdoors. If you do work outdoors you should also be looking at coatings that offer UV protection. Other coatings offer scratch resistant properties and others may also make the glasses less resistant to fogging up, particularly when you are working up a sweat. The colors of the tinted coatings will also depend on the type of work you do. You may need a darker coated lens in full sun or if you work in an area where a lot of welding is going on.

Lens Optics – Unfortunately, not all of us have 20/20 vision and that means we may need prescription glasses or contact lenses. But what do you do if your job requires you to wear safety glasses. While you can order custom safety glasses with prescription lenses, but that may not always be practical. Then you also need to ensure the lenses of your safety glasses are completely clear so that they won’t impair your vision further when you work. This is especially worth considering if your safety glasses can be fit over your prescription eyewear.

Frame – There are many different types of frames to choose from when looking at safety glasses. Some frames cover the front and sides of your peripheral view which is ideal when you are working in an environment where particles are often flying around. The too, you want frames that conform to the shape of your head so it eliminates or at least minimizes the amount of dust that can infiltrate your eye region.

Benefits Of Using Safety Glasses

The most important benefit of using safety glasses is the protection of your eyes. Many of us need them in work situations, particularly in construction or manufacturing. Safety glasses not only protect your eyes from flying debris, they also prevent irritating dust from affecting your eyes. The other main benefit is to protect your eyes from glare. This is important for those who work outdoors as they need to protect their eyes from harmful UV rays. Safety glasses offer you the ability of having clear vision while you work and avoid injuries in these situations.

Safety Glasses FAQ

Q: Who should use safety glasses?

A: Anyone who works in an environment where particles, sparks or chemicals become airborne should wear safety glasses. This includes those who work in construction, manufacturing or even laboratories. Outdoor workers such as landscapers or excavators should also use safety glasses, firstly, to protect their eyes from dust, and flying debris and then also to protect the eyes from the sun’s rays. It’s a good idea to check the guidelines of your particular industry and see if one of the recommendations is the use of safety glasses. However, considering how simple safety glasses are to use, it’s always better to err on the side of caution and wear them to prevent injury.

Q: Should I go with polarized safety glasses?

A: If you work outdoors, or if you’re out hunting or fishing, then you really should consider investing in a pair of polarized safety glasses. These glasses cut much of the sun’s glare, particularly if you’re out near water. Polarized safety glasses are exceptionally good at blocking this glare making it easier for you to go about your various activities without eye strain, while still being effective at protecting your eyes while you work or play.

Q: When should you buy anti-fog glasses or goggles?

A: If your work or recreational activities cause you to sweat, then the accumulation of this sweat may cause your glasses or goggles to fog up. This will seriously affect your ability to see what you are doing. It may also be that you work in a lab where the room can get stuffy and things are often on the boil. In this situation, anti-fog safety goggles are a must as they will give you unhindered vision and completely protect your eyes from steam or chemical splashes. If your work doesn’t involve splashes, then anti-fog glasses are perfectly fine, no matter how hot and stuffy your working environment may be.

Q: Will safety glasses fit with my prescription glasses?

A: There are many types of safety glasses and the good news is that many of them have clear vision lenses and have been designed to fit over most prescription glasses. That means you can keep your eye protected even if you need prescription glasses. When purchasing safety glasses, take your prescription glasses with you and try them with safety glasses so you get the perfect fit.

Safety glasses have been designed specifically to protect your eyes and while most of us have them lying around somewhere, we often neglect wearing them. We think our task may only be a short one so we can skip the use of safety glasses. Maybe we think we’ll be careful enough to avoid injuring our eyes when we work. Don’t be a bonehead! The best safety glasses are super comfortable and are tough enough to prevent injury to your eyes. Don’t forget, it’s always better to prevent an eye injury, rather than try and cure one.