What are the Different Types of Safety Glasses?

As many of us discovered in high school shop classes, there is no more important piece of safety gear than a pair of safety glasses. Few work areas are totally free from a flying debris hazard, so almost every employee from the front office to the shipping center should wear some form of safety glasses. But which type of safety glasses are necessary for different workers and visitors?

The most basic form of safety glasses have been around for decades--the utilitarian horn-rimmed version favored by shop teachers everywhere. Reinforced frames hold lenses made from shatterproof glass or a polycarbonate composite material. These safety glasses are sometimes called 'dead on' protection by safety experts because they only protect the wearer from debris coming straight from the front. Fortunately, modern eyewear designers have not only added prescription lenses to these safety glasses, they have also introduced more fashionable frames. Office workers and engineers who must make occasional visits to the shop area might benefit most from personalized 'dead on' safety glasses.

An improvement on the basic framed safety glass design is the addition of side shields. Workers who work in light industrial fields such as bench soldering or assembly can benefit from the extra protection provided. Small pieces of solder or fiberglass dust or other flying debris will be deflected from the side as well as the front. These side-shield safety glasses can also be personalized with prescription lenses and different frame designs.

The next variety of safety glasses resemble over-sized plastic frames and fit over prescription eyewear. These safety glasses are most likely to be given out to visitors during a factory tour or orientation session. They provide coverage for most of the upper face and eye areas.

Ultimately, the most complete eye protection is provide by safety goggles, which are attached around the face with elastic bands. Prescription lenses for safety goggles may be difficult to obtain. Some models can be worn over existing eyewear, however.

Besides the framing and protection element of safety glasses, some workers may want to consider tinted lenses for the transition from inside to outside tasks. Sport shooters often buy high-end safety glasses with prescription lenses and an amber tint for glare reduction. Welders generally require a full face mask and green safety glass lenses when using gas-powered welding equipment.