Eye Glasses Safety

Safety glasses are available over-the-counter as non-prescription or can be specially made at an eye doctor or optical retail office. Some companies require specific types of eye safety glasses and OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) regulates safety glass requirements for the workplace.

Types

• Safety glasses are different from regular (or "dress") eye glasses. Safety glasses must have a higher impact resistance, meaning they must be able to withstand impact to both the lenses and the frame. This applies to both prescription and non-prescription (also called plano) lenses.

Basic Lens Standards

• The American National Standard Institute (ANSI) has two classifications for safety lens type: basic impact lenses and high impact.
  Basic Impact lenses must withstand a "drop ball" test which is done with a 1" diameter steel ball being dropped on the lens from a distance of 50 inches.

High Impact Lenses

• To be considered high impact safety lenses by ANSI, lenses must withstand a velocity test that is done by shooting a quarter-inch diameter steel ball at the lens at a speed of 150 feet per second. To pass, the lens must not crack, chip or break, nor can it become dislodged from the frame.

Side Shields

• Safety eye glasses should include side protection any time there is a chance of injury from side impact, splashes, or sparks. Side shields are available as permanently attached or as removable and can be taken off when not needed.

Frames

• To be considered acceptable as safety standard, a frame must hold the lenses during impact tests and also be flame, heat and corrosion resistant.

Considerations

• Safety eye glasses should be checked frequently for damage and replaced if there are any defects.