Keeping your eye on the ball is key at work – and in many working environments, eye protection is not just recommended, but a requirement. This includes workplaces where eyes are exposed to bright light, UV radiation, laser beams, chemicals, dust, splinters, microorganisms or atmospheric influences that could cause strain or even irreparable damage to the eyes. In these situations, personal protective equipment (PPE) must include safety spectacles. But there are as many different safety spectacles to choose from as there are risks and areas of application. So how do you make sure you are choosing effective eye protection? And what about the all-important factors of wearer comfort and sustainability?
Key for eye protection: the EN 166 standard
When it comes to safety at work, eye protection is governed by the European standards DIN EN 166 to 172. EN 166 defines general basic requirements for safety spectacles with reference to various potential hazards. These can occur in many workplaces, from laboratories to industrial manufacturing and from workshops to agricultural businesses. Alongside this, there are standards for specific potential hazards. For example, DIN EN 170 includes requirements for personal eye protection with ultraviolet filters, while DIN EN 172 defines the requirements for sun glare filters.
The particular standard that a pair of safety spectacles meets can be identified from the frame marking, among other places. The manufacturer identification and field of use are also marked here – that is, whether the spectacles provide protection against liquids (field of use 3), large dust particles (field of use 4) and/or other hazards. Details about the spectacles’ mechanical strength can also be found here. The letter S stands for increased strength, for example. The letters F, B and A denote whether the spectacles can withstand low, medium or high energy impacts.
The lens of a pair of safety spectacles is also marked. This is where the optical class is identified, which refers to requirements for quality of vision and whether the spectacles are intended for extended or short-term use. Symbols identifying the spectacles’ surface resistance, for example to damage by small particles, can also be found here, as well as their anti-fogging properties.
Risks to eyes at the workplace should be evaluated by the employer within the framework of a risk assessment. Eye protection must be made compulsory and supplied in accordance with the results of this assessment. Safety spectacles that are permitted according to the standard must also be certified by an accredited test institute. The relevant certification, such as the CE mark, can also be found on the spectacles.
➜ You can read more about the duty to wear safety spectacles in our blog post.
Safety spectacles with the perfect fit: the uvex i-range
So far, we have covered the basic legal requirements that must be met. But in reality, wearer comfort is also an important factor. If your spectacles are constantly slipping down your nose, if the inside of the lenses fog up or if tight earpieces quickly give you a headache, it goes without saying that you will struggle to achieve the necessary focus to work safely.
In our informative blog post "The optimum fit for your safety spectacles – the answer to preventing your glasses from slipping and pinching", you can read more about how to check that your safety spectacles are sitting correctly.
That is why we developed the new uvex i-range with a focus on a perfect fit. The right safety spectacles can be selected from this flexible three-part range depending on the protection required, without compromising on ergonomics.
For everyday work, for example, the uvex i-lite is the ideal companion. These ergonomic spectacles are distinguished by their flat lens geometry. This prevents dangerous tunnel vision, because the safety spectacles restrict the user’s field of vision as little as possible. As a result, employees working in a chemistry laboratory, for example, can keep potential hazards in view at all times. Even if these hazards are not in view, nothing can get into their eyes thanks to the x-tended sideshield, which offers additional side protection. The spectacles are also particularly comfortable because the earpieces can be adjusted to three different angles. The wearer can therefore adapt the safety spectacles to fit his or her individual head and facial shape.
However, a normal pair of safety spectacles is not always enough. At workplaces where protection against liquids, particles and other coarse dirt is also required, the uvex i-guard is the ideal choice when it comes to safety spectacles. This product is permitted according to certifications 3 and 4 of the EN 166 standard. The uvex i-guard has essentially the same design as the uvex i-lite, but it also has a highly flexible frame with adjustable face seal. This ensures that the safety spectacles sit flush against the face and gently adapt to its contours.
The uvex i-guard+ goes one step further and combines these features with increased mechanical strength (certification B). These goggles include a headband as standard, which ensures a particularly secure fit, even in the context of considerable stress and rapid head movements. The length and angle of the headband can be adjusted so that this model of spectacles can be worn comfortably in any situation.
The uvex i-guard and uvex i-guard+ models can both be worn with earpieces as well as a headband. The special i-guard+ kit means that the earpieces and headband can be swapped over quickly and easily. This means that the spectacles and goggles in the uvex i-range are ideally suited to almost any hazard and area of work.
All three models in this trio share the following tried-and-tested technologies from uvex safety:
- uvex supravision excellence: a coating for permanently anti-fog and scratch-resistant lenses that goes far beyond standard requirements
- 100% UV400 protection: filters out dangerous UVA and UVB radiation to 400 nm
- Metal-free material: light and suitable for allergy sufferers
The uvex i-range is a portfolio of safety spectacles that improve workplace safety thanks to their high wearer comfort, as well as meeting – and exceeding – legal requirements. This is because if safety spectacles are comfortable enough, they will not be taken off – meaning that eyes will always be optimally protected.
Sustainably designed eye protection
Safety spectacles are a non-negotiable part of personal protective equipment at many workplaces. The fact that they are always in use means that they must endure a significant amount of stress. Even particularly durable safety spectacles therefore have to be replaced on a regular basis. This is also important for maintaining safety levels, as only perfectly intact PPE can do its job reliably. But how sustainable is this? Does replacing safety spectacles so frequently undermine all other attempts to avoid waste?
Not with the uvex i-range planet range: the uvex i-lite, uvex i-guard and the i-guard+ are available as particularly environmentally friendly options for eye protection. These sustainable safety spectacles are produced from recycled or bio-based materials, saving resources and protecting the environment.
This is a classic win-win situation: the environmentally conscious safety spectacles from uvex safety offer effective eye protection while also helping to meet organisational sustainability goals.
Find out more about the uvex group’s “protecting planet” sustainability concept.
Discover our new and innovative eye protection products for yourself at this year’s A+A Trade Fair, where you will be able to take a closer look at the uvex i-range and related products. Because eye protection is such an important topic, our service team is always happy to give you extensive advice in this area. Why not get in touch?