Safety Glasses

Safety glasses are essential Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) designed to protect your eyes from a wide range of workplace hazards. Commonly featuring clear, anti-scratch polycarbonate lenses that provide superior impact resistance and comply with the EN166 standard, they are a primary form of eye protection.

While some safety eyewear uses acetate and CR39 for general impact and better chemical splash protection, polycarbonate lenses are preferred for their exceptional impact resistance and lightweight durability. Prescription safety glasses are available for those needing vision correction, and overspecs can be worn over existing glasses for added protection. Understanding the markings on lenses and frames is essential to select the right safety glasses tailored to your specific workplace hazards.

Components and Markings of Safety Glasses

Safety glasses are marked to indicate their compliance with safety standards and their protective capabilities. Key markings include:

• Manufacturer’s Mark: Identifies the maker, sometimes accompanied by a kite mark (a symbol of compliance).
• ‘C’ Mark: Indicates if the lenses affect colour perception.
• Shade Numbers (1.2 to 6): Specify the lens shade level, important for protection during welding or exposure to intense light.
• Mechanical Strength Ratings: Symbols such as S, F, B, A, or T indicate the level of impact resistance:
  • S: Increased robustness (basic impact protection).
  • F: Low energy impact resistance.
  • B: Medium energy impact resistance.
  • A: High energy impact resistance.
  • T: High-speed particle impact with increased temperature.
• ‘K’ Mark: Resistance to surface damage from fine particles (anti-scratch).
• ‘N’ Mark: Anti-fog or mist-resistant coating.

Types of Eye Protection Glasses for Various Environments and Risk Types

Mechanical Risk

When working with tools, grinding equipment, or in environments where particles and debris can be projected, robust eye protection is essential. To ensure an adequate level of resistance against mechanical hazards, both the lens and the frame of safety eyewear must be marked with the F, B, or A symbol.

In cases where these symbols differ, the lower rating indicates the overall protection level of the glasses.

Safety glasses featuring reinforced polycarbonate lenses and integrated side shields are effective for mitigating mechanical risks.

Electrical Risk

For individuals working with live electrical systems, safeguarding against short circuit arcs and direct contact is paramount. Eye protection designed for electrical hazards must have both the lens and the frame marked with the ‘8’ symbol to guarantee the necessary level of insulation. Safety glasses intended for this purpose are frequently manufactured with non-conductive frames to further minimise risk.

Thermal Risk

Protection from radiating heat, intense heat, and sprays of hot liquids or solids is necessary in industries like metalworking and food processing. The ‘9’ symbol must be indicated on the lens and the frame to guarantee protection from thermal risks. These glasses often have specialised lens coatings.

Radiation Risk

When exposed to ultraviolet (UV) and infrared rays, intense visible light sources such as those found in steelworks and welding operations, or even within surgical environments, appropriate eye protection is critical. The relevant safety standard for these hazards is typically indicated by a specific marking on the lens of anti-UV protection glasses and other specialised eyewear. This category includes items like welding goggles with shaded lenses designed to filter intense light, as well as dedicated UV-blocking safety glasses.

Chemical Risk

In environments where there's a potential for exposure to chemicals, dangerous liquids, aerosols, gas, toxic dust, and other airborne contaminants, proper eye protection is crucial. To ensure adequate defence against these hazards, the glasses frame must be marked with the standard indicating chemical resistance: 3, 4, or 5. Safety goggles, which provide a tight seal around the eyes, are often the preferred choice in such settings to prevent splashes and fumes from entering.

Using Safety and Anti-UV Glasses in Industrial Settings

Safety glasses, particularly those with anti-UV properties, are crucial PPE in various industrial settings to provide protection to workers' eyes from both physical hazards and harmful ultraviolet radiation.

Warehouses and Distribution Centers

In warehouses and distribution centres, safety glasses protect against dust, debris, and potential impacts from moving equipment or falling objects.

Manufacturing Plants & Factories

Manufacturing plants and factories expose workers to a range of mechanical hazards, requiring robust safety glasses. Additionally, processes like welding or working with certain chemicals can emit UV radiation. Anti-UV safety glasses provide dual protection, safeguarding against impacts while filtering out harmful UV rays produced by industrial processes or lighting.

Workshops

Workshops involve tasks that can generate flying particles and debris, necessitating the use of safety glasses. In workshops with welding, cutting, or UV curing processes, anti-UV lenses are vital to prevent welder's flash and other UV-related eye injuries for both the operators and those working nearby.

Food and Beverage Processing Plants

While mechanical hazards might be less prominent in some food and beverage processing areas, safety glasses are still essential for hygiene and protection against splashes or spills.

Shipyards, Ports, and Heavy Industrial Yards

The demanding outdoor work in shipyards, ports, and heavy industrial yards presents significant risks from flying debris and impacts from heavy machinery. Durable safety glasses are crucial for workers in these environments, providing essential protection against potential eye injuries caused by workplace hazards.

How to Choose the Right Safety Glasses

When selecting safety glasses for eye protection, consider:

• Hazard Type: Mechanical, electrical, thermal, radiation, or chemical.
• Lens Material: Polycarbonate for impact resistance; acetate or CR39 for chemical splash.
• Lens Coatings: Anti-scratch (K), anti-fog (N), anti-UV.
• Frame Design: Side shields, wrap-around styles, non-conductive materials.
• Comfort and Fit: Adjustable arms, nose pads, lightweight design.
• Prescription Needs: Prescription safety glasses or overspecs.

Always verify that the safety glasses comply with relevant standards such as EN166 and any industry-specific requirements.

Shop Safety Glasses at RS Singapore

RS Singapore is a trusted supplier and distributor of a wide variety of high-quality safety glasses from leading brands like Bolle Safety, 3M, and Uvex. Explore our extensive online collection to buy the perfect eye protection glasses, anti-uv glasses, safety visors, or hard caps for your specific needs and risk assessments.

To place an order, simply browse our selection, add the desired safety glasses to your cart, and proceed through our secure checkout. We offer multiple payment options for your convenience in Singapore. For detailed information on delivery timelines and costs, please visit our dedicated Delivery Information page.