How Safety Glasses Differ from Regular Glasses?
Safety glasses have become part of the workplace norms in considerable fashion. They perform a valuable function which can rarely be outmatched by ordinary glasses. Most workers engaged in dangerous tasks require them. Thus unlike regular glasses, they require constitutional regulation for industries. This is done by making eyewear mandatory for workers by OSHA's (Occupational Safety and Health Administration). In the same vein, it’s composition & set of performative functions differ from regular glasses. This article attempts to bear an overview of some important differentiating aspects.
- Durability & Protection
The composition of Prescription Safety Glasses brags more robustness and thickness about themselves. They allow for protection against hazardous accidents & chemicals. Although more than often, lenses of either regular or protective ones are made out of polycarbonate. Polycarbonate is the industry standard material nowadays. It offers resistance against high impact accidents & is almost impenetrable. As mentioned, the key differentiator is the thickness and depth of the material. The lens would often be marked with “Z87-2” on the side to signify that it meets the workplace safeguard standards. Conversely, a high-velocity object impacting a normal lens would shatter it completely. This is not in the case for glasses offering protection. It would often snap to an extent to ward off the impact, but would never splinter menacingly into the eye.
They come with shields which prevent any incursion of flying objects from outside. They are often fitted on the top, bottom or on the sides of the eyewear. Regular eyeglasses do not offer such protection.
- Prescription or Non-Prescription
Safety glasses can be either prescription glasses or without one. The difference is entirely incumbent upon satisfying the needs of an individual’s sight accurately. If the worker’s vision is impaired, then the Rx glasses lens must be integrated. Maintaining 20/20 vision is crucial for employees who are involved in finicky tasks such as cutting, welding and so on. As opposed to regular Rx glasses, protective ones can be worn for the sole purpose of security against hazards.
- Apt Choice for Outdoor & Indoor Activities
The variety of hazards at the workplace require protection for workers. Normal glasses do not check the box for safety at the workplace. More than three hundred thousand workplace injuries happen every year. These often involve toxic chemicals, projectiles of shards or metal which could damage the eye permanently. To prevent this, protective gear should be worn during all hours of work. Most professions as carpenters, lumberjacks or welders demand eye protection. However, they can also be donned at home. We often face tasks which might involve the eye’s susceptibility to damage. This can involve cutting wood at home or hanging curtains. Children require protection more often than not while playing sports. ANSI Safety Glasses provide them the dual function of vision accuracy & protection at the same time. Plus, they offer UV protection as well. This is great for reducing eye damage caused by the sun. Hence, they can be a great choice over regular sunglasses too.
