Why Glasses for Construction Workers Matter

Construction workers face many workplace hazards. One such issue that continues to plague construction companies and their employees: poor eye protection. 

If you operate a construction company, you need to offer safety glasses to your workers. Glasses for construction workers can help your employees guard against dirt, debris, and other foreign particles. They can even help you avoid on-the-job accidents, injuries, and fatalities.

Are You Required to Provide Glasses for Construction Workers?

Construction site safety is crucial. As part of its efforts to ensure worksites are safe, OSHA requires construction companies to provide their employees with construction safety glasses. 

According to OSHA standard 1926.102, construction businesses must supply safety glasses or other eye protection to workers exposed to any of the following hazards:

• Airborne particles
• Molten metal
• Liquid chemicals 
• Acids or caustic liquids
• Chemical gases or vapors
• Potentially dangerous light radiation

These businesses and their employees can benefit from construction safety glasses. For businesses, they can provide glasses to comply with OSHA requirements and avoid fines and penalties. And for their employees, they can protect their eyes against a variety of dangers and complete everyday tasks as planned.  

Find OSHA-Approved Construction Safety Glasses

OSHA standard 1910.133 describes the agency’s requirements for construction safety glasses. If safety glasses have earned OSHA approval, they have been tested against this standard. 

To find out if construction safety goggles, glasses, or other eye protection is OSHA-approved, look at the lens. OSHA-compliant eye protection has markings specified by the American National Standards Institute’s ANSI Z87. 1-2010 standard. These markings are located on both lenses and the frame. 

Meanwhile, certain lenses may be “Impact Rated.” These lenses have passed high-mass and high-velocity tests and provide eye protection from the side. They have a manufacturer’s mark, along with a “+” sign. 

Can Construction Workers Wear Prescription Eyewear?

There may be times when construction workers require prescription eyewear. In these instances, construction employees still need OSHA-approved construction safety glasses. 

Not all prescription lenses are shatterproof. These lenses may provide only a limited amount of frontal protection. As a result, small particles can reach the eyes and damage them, even if construction workers are wearing their prescription eyewear. 

For workers in construction and other industries who wear prescription eyewear, they can pick up over-prescription safety glasses. This ensures workers can wear eyeglasses that help them maintain clear and avoid eye injuries. 

Of course, it pays to teach all workers about eye injuries and other on-the-job dangers. By prioritizing eye safety, you can ensure your employees can maintain a safe and productive workspace.

Reasons to Wear Safety Glasses

There are many reasons to wear safety glasses – after all, our eyes are perhaps our most important sensory organ. So, it makes sense to take care of them at work with glasses.

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) reports that around 2,000 workers suffer job-related eye injuries every day in the U.S. Many of these injuries are serious enough to require medical treatment.

There’s the economic impact to consider, too. Eye injuries resultin more than $300 million in medical costs, lost time, and workers compensation claims annually. Most workplace accidents stem from the fact that workers weren’t wearing proper PPE for the task at hand. 

Even minor injuries can have significant, long-term impacts on a person’s health. Serious injuries can blind workers, but even minor injuries can become infected and lead to long-lasting damage.

Although eye injuries are problematic, they may be preventable. In fact, OSHA estimates that up to 90% of eye injuries can be prevented by wearing proper safety eyewear.

How and Why Do Eye Injuries Occur?

Most job-related eye injuries occur when small objects land in the eye. These include things like dust, wood chips, and metal slivers.

Other causes of eye injuries include:

• Nails, staples, or metal scraps that pierce the eyeball
• Blunt force trauma from falling objects
• Workers running into an object face first
• Splashes from chemicals or cleaning products
• Thermal or radiation burns that occur while welding
• Spending extended periods of time working at a computer

OSHA requires workers to wear eye and face personal protective equipment (PPE) under two conditions. One is when eye safety hazards exist on a jobsite. The other is when it is likely that wearing goggles for construction could prevent an injury.

Common Safety Hazards That Require Goggles for Construction

The following eye protection safety hazards are present in a wide range of work environments:

• Projectiles, including dust, metal, and wood
• Chemicals in liquid or gas form
• Radiation, especially UV, infrared, and lasers
• Harmful pathogens from blood and body fluids

Workers may require construction safety glasses or other PPE for the eyes to safely complete tasks in settings where one or more of the aforementioned hazards are present.

Are Construction Safety Glasses Necessary?

The PPE to be worn depends on the type of hazards present in a work environment. Some worksites include more than one eye hazard, and proper eye safety protection must account for all on-the-job hazards.

Workers in some industries have a higher risk for eye injuries than others. These industries include:

• Construction
• Manufacturing
• Mining
• Welding
• Carpentry
• Electrical work
• Auto repair
• Plumbing
• Maintenance

Employers in any of these industries must provide their workers with construction safety glasses. That way, these employers can help their workers see clearly and limit the risk of eye injuries at work.

Does Your Business Need an Eye Safety Program?

Eye safety should be an integral part of every company safety program. Your workplace safety manual should cover all OSHA eye protection guidelines and contain guidance on:

• When to wear construction eye protection
• What type of eye PPE to wear (based on the job)
• How and where workers can get the PPE eyewear they need
• Consequences of eye safety violations

To select the right eye safety PPE for each job, list all potential eye hazards. Then, look at how workers are exposed to these hazards. Take into account the personal vision needs of each worker. 

Also, consider whether other types of PPE are used. PPE eyewear needs to fit snugly but comfortably. If not, it should be adjustable, so it can provide full eye protection. Eye PPE also should not disrupt employees’ peripheral vision.

Different Types of Construction Eye Protection

Eye safety PPE ranges from basic safety glasses to special protection devices for high-risk jobs. Common construction eye PPE includes:

1. Eye Safety Glasses

Work safety glasses resemble reading glasses but have a stronger frame and lenses. They are well-suited for jobs where dust, debris, and other flying particles are present. Side shields and wraparound safety glasses can provide extra protection.

2. Safety Goggles

Construction goggles protect against impact, dust, and chemical splashes. These goggles feature a secure shield around the entire eye that protects against hazards coming from all directions. They can be worn over contact lenses and regular glasses.

3. Face Shields and Helmets

Face shields and helmets are designed for high-risk jobs in which employees may be exposed to chemicals, heat, or bloodborne pathogens. Some helmets are made exclusively for welding or working with other molten materials. Protective eyewear should always be worn underneath shields and helmets. This helps protect the eyes when the shield is lifted or the helmet removed.

4. Special Protection

Some helmets or goggles have special filters to protect against radiation exposure. These are used for welding or working with lasers. Safety glasses should be worn underneath for full protection. Other eye safety equipment includes machine guards, screened or divided workstations, and other engineering controls.

To determine which eye safety equipment best suits your business, you should evaluate OSHA guidelines. You can also enroll your workers in a safety training program to teach them how to correctly wear construction eye protection.

How to Get Workers to Buy Into Eye Safety

Many workers don’t like wearing protective eye gear. Some say eye PPE is uncomfortable, while others feel it interferes with their vision. Still, others think it looks “uncool” to wear eye protection. 

Providing workers with comfortable and stylish eye safety PPE will increase adoption rates across your workforce. At the same time, it will help lower the risk of eye injuries. Eye safety PPE must be comfy enough to wear for an entire shift, even in hot weather. Features that enhance comfort include:

• Cushioned brows
• Soft gel nosepieces
• Padded nose bridges
• Vented frames
• Flexible temples
• Lenses that can be adjusted to different angles

The technology behind construction safety glasses has evolved a lot through the years. Anti-fogging features and lenses surrounded by foam may appeal to workers more than the standard versions. They provide improved comfort and extra protection against foregn particles.

Employees are also more likely to wear stylish glasses. Wraparound designs, mirrored lenses, and bright colors allow workers to personalize their PPE. By offering a wide range of options, you’ll be more likely to entice workers into protecting themselves.

When it comes to eye protection, style and comfort are important, but they are secondary to safety. For instance, eye protection features like lenses that can resist impact and protect against UVA and UVB rays can make a world of difference for employees.

Furthermore, eye goggles and glasses made with tempered glass or acrylic plastic lenses should not be used in high-impact situations. Also, these types of eye protection should not be used in areas where there is significant debris. In high-impact work areas, polycarbonate lenses that resist scratching are the best choice.

Promote Construction Safety Glasses at Your Worksite

Eye safety is a team effort, and employers are responsible for:

• Complying with all OSHA eye safety standards
• Conducting a workplace eye hazard assessment
• Removing or reducing eye hazards where possible
• Providing the right safety eyewear and making sure workers wear it

Meanwhile, workers are responsible for:

• Knowing the eye hazards associated with their jobs
• Wearing proper construction safety glasses to protect against on-the-job hazards
• Keeping their safety eyewear in good condition
• Replacing defective eyewear

Both employers and workers need to know what to do when an eye injury occurs. This starts with seeking medical attention as soon as possible — especially if there is pain in the eye or blurred vision. 

Apply basic first aid until medical help arrives or the victim is taken to an emergency room. For chemicals in the eye, flush with water for at least 15 minutes; for employees who wear contact lenses, their lenses should be removed before flushing. Don’t attempt to neutralize the chemical with other substances, and don’t bandage the eye. 

For particles in the eye, don’t rub it. Instead, see if tears can wash away any particles in the eye. If not, apply an over-the-counter tear solution. Gently lift the upper eyelid out and down over the lower eyelid to remove any particles. If particles remain, keep the eye closed and bandage it. Then, get medical help as soon as possible. 

And for blows to the eye, apply a cold compress to reduce pain and swelling. For cuts or punctures to the eye, do not rinse it. Also, don’t try to remove an object stuck in the eye. Instead, cover the eye with a rigid shield. Next, seek medical care.

FAQs About Construction Eye Protection

Still have questions about glasses for construction workers? We’ve got you covered! This handy FAQ section contains answers to some of the most common questions on the subject. If you still can’t find answers to your questions on the subject, feel free to reach out to our team of OSHA experts. They can walk you through answers to even the most specific conundrums. 

Where Can I Find OSHA Approved Safety Glasses?

Employers are required to provide OSHA approved safety glasses to their employees. If you need a pair, start by asking your manager for help. Should you decide to invest in a pair yourself, try looking in your local hardware store. 

When are Glasses for Construction Workers Required?

Generally speaking, glasses for construction workers are required to be worn any time you’re working in hazardous conditions. Employers are legally required to provide them to workers, so if you’re in need of a pair, don’t be afraid to speak up.

Who is Responsible for Purchasing Construction Safety Glasses?

Employers are tasked with purchasing construction safety glasses for their team. Some construction professionals opt to invest in their own personalized pair, though. If you don’t like the options supplied to you by your manager, consider shopping for a custom pair. 

How Often Does PPE Need Replacing?

There’s no hard and fast rule for replacing PPE. Instead, OSHA says that construction glasses should be replaced when they can no longer protect the wearer from hazards.

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