24 June 2015 Essential Safety Tips for Protective Eyewear
Warehouse Safety Made Easy!
Protective Eyewear
Our sight is precious, yet sadly, eye injuries are the most common workplace related injury presentation in Australian Emergency Departments.
Statistics show that in 2002 alone there were 6435 claims for eye injury compensation in Australia. The work environments most likely to report eye injuries are construction and manufacturing, and to a lesser extent agriculture, forestry, fishing and mining. Most work related eye injuries are actually preventable with the proper use of eye protection.
ABL stocks a large range of Protective Eyewear. Prochoice produces a quality range of eyewear that meet AS/NZS1337.1:2010 Standards, and feature medium impact polycarbonate lenses and 99.9% UV protection.
It is important when purchasing protective eyewear to use not only Australian Standard product, but to assess the type of eyewear to be used considering the work environment involved. As with all safety products and advice, the below is a general guide only, and in all cases a proper risk assessment should be carried out by a suitably qualified Occupational Health and Safety professional.
Statistics show that in 2002 alone there were 6435 claims for eye injury compensation in Australia. The work environments most likely to report eye injuries are construction and manufacturing, and to a lesser extent agriculture, forestry, fishing and mining. Most work related eye injuries are actually preventable with the proper use of eye protection.
ABL stocks a large range of Protective Eyewear. Prochoice produces a quality range of eyewear that meet AS/NZS1337.1:2010 Standards, and feature medium impact polycarbonate lenses and 99.9% UV protection.
It is important when purchasing protective eyewear to use not only Australian Standard product, but to assess the type of eyewear to be used considering the work environment involved. As with all safety products and advice, the below is a general guide only, and in all cases a proper risk assessment should be carried out by a suitably qualified Occupational Health and Safety professional.
1. What Kind Of Eyewear Is Appropriate For Our Workplace?
ABL stocks safety glasses, safety goggles and face shields. These are the three main types of eye protection for your workplace.
The below chart, as supplied by ProChoice is to be used as a guide.
It is also of benefit to remember that a face shield may be worn over the top of goggles or glasses.
The below chart, as supplied by ProChoice is to be used as a guide.
It is also of benefit to remember that a face shield may be worn over the top of goggles or glasses.
|
Work Situation |
Spectacle |
Goggle |
Faceshield |
| Chemical Cleaning | X | X | |
| Education | X | X | X |
| Furnace Operation, Pouring, Casting | X | ||
| General Engineering Workshop | X | X | X |
| General Factory Areas | X | X | |
| Hazardous Chemical Use (Splash) | X | ||
| High Dust Environment | X | X | |
| Laboratories - Hazardous Chemical | X | X | |
| Laboratories - Non-Hazardous | X | X | X |
| Light Chemical Use (No Splash) | X | X | X |
| Masonry Work - Brick/Stone/Concrete | X | X | |
| Medical & Dentistry | X | X | X |
| Metal Grinding / Turning | X | X | |
| Solid Chemical Handling | X | X | X |
| Spray Painting | X | X | |
| Waste Handling | X | X | X |
| Woodworking (Non-Powered Hand Tools) | X | X | X |
| Woodworking (Power Tools) | X | X |
2. What Type Of Lens Is Right For The Job?
It is important to know that whilst all lenses in our range are 99.9% effective at blocking UV light, that UV light is actually invisible to the eye and so does not create glare. So whilst your eyes are protected from the potential damage from UV, it is important to also get the right lens for the type of work you will be doing and what kind of light you will be working in.| Lens Type | Features and Benefits | |
 |
Clear Lenses |
Designed for indoor use against general hazards. Filters UV but not visible light (ie. no glare reduction). |
 |
Smoke Lenses |
Filters UV light as well as visible light. Suitable for outdoors. Darker tint assists in reducing glare. |
 |
Mirrored Lenses |
Mirror coating reduces the amount of visible light that makes it through the lens to your eye by reflecting away glare. Filters UV and visible light. |
3. Our Workplace Is Hard On Safety Glasses, And Team Member's Often Damage Or Lose Them. What Are The Most Cost Effective Safety Glasses?
Eyes are priceless! However, there are cost effective options in safety glasses range.View our range online!
4. What About Our Employees Who Wear Prescription Lenses As Well?
We have options in glasses, goggles and face shields for those who wear prescription lenses.In safety glasses, the Visitors glasses are designed to be able to be worn in conjunction with prescription lenses.
And finally, prescription eyewear can be worn with the Visor range.
5. Can You Get Replacement Parts?
Safety glasses need to be replaced when they become damaged.However, both goggles and visors have replacement lenses available which are a more cost effective than replacing the entire unit.
For visors and goggles, this means that additional lenses in additional colours may be purchased (see easy reference guide above). This means that smoke and clear lenses may be purchased for the same goggles or visor and interchanged as the user requires.
Visors also have multiple spare parts which allow them to be attached to Hard Hats, additional Mesh Visors or High Impact Rated Visors, and replacement Brow Guard Sweat bands are available too! Please don't hesitate to contact us if you are interested in any of the various spare parts available.
