Protecting your Eyes? We've got you
covered!
With many eye protection
choices in today’s marketplace it can be laborious and costly to find a solution
as unique to every employee. As the law requires that adequate eye protection is
worn in applicable situations (OHSA Reg. 213/91 sec.24, Reg. 851 sec.81, Reg.
855 sec.23) Let us assist in evaluating solutions that are safe and make
sen$e. 
How do I recognize safety glasses?
Lenses: The Canadian Standards Association (CSA)-certified safety
glasses have plastic polycarbonate lenses. They are stronger than regular
lenses, are impact-resistant and come in prescription and non-prescription
(plano) forms.
Markings on safety glasses: The manufacturer or supplier logo is
marked (or etched) on all approved safety lenses, frames (front and temple),
removable side shields and other parts of the glasses, goggles or helmets.
Frames: Safety frames are stronger than street-wear frames and are
often heat resistant. They are also designed to prevent lenses from being pushed
into the eyes. 
What are the pros and cons of the different
lenses?
Comparison of Lens Materials |
Material |
Characteristics |
Polycarbonate |
-
Strongest material for impact resistance -
Lightweight -
Can be coated for scratch resistance -
Most have built-in UV radiation protection
|
Plastic (CR39) |
-
About one-half the weight of glass -
Resistant to solvents and pitting -
More choices for coatings and tinting
|
Glass |
-
High-density material (heavy lenses) -
Loses impact resistance if scratched -
Does not meet impact criteria as set by CSA
| From: "Z94.3.1-02 Protective Eyewear: A User's Guide" by Canadian Standards
Association, 2002.
What is the difference between plastic and polycarbonate?
The "standard plastic" lenses in safety glasses are often called
"Hard Resin", "CR-39 plastic" or just "plastic" lenses. CR-39® is actually a PPG
Industries registered trade name for a DADC (diallyl diglycol carbonate) polymer
that was introduced in 1941. The "CR" stands for Columbia Resin and CR-39 was
the 39th batch or formula made by Columbia Laboratories in Ohio. This polymer is
a polycarbonate but its starting materials are different from the resins used in
safety glasses with "polycarbonate" lenses. The "hard resin" or "CR-39 plastic"
is a thermoset plastic meaning it cannot be molded or bent when heated.
On the other hand, the polycarbonate polymers (e.g., Lexan®, a GE
trade name) are thermoplastic which means that the lenses can be formed by
melting polycarbonate pellets and injecting them into a mold. What should I know about the fit and care of safety glasses?
If eye protection is required, establish a complete eye safety protection
program including selection, fit testing, training, maintenance and inspection.
Fit
-
Ensure your safety glasses fit properly. Eye size, bridge size and
temple length all vary. Safety glasses should be individually assigned and
fitted. -
Wear safety glasses so that the temples fit comfortably over the
ears. The frame should be as close to the face as possible and adequately
supported by the bridge of the nose.
Care
Safety glasses need maintenance.
-
Clean your safety glasses daily. Follow the manufacturer's
instructions. Avoid rough handling that can scratch lenses. -
Scratches impair vision and can weaken lenses. -
Store your safety glasses in a clean, dry place where they cannot
fall or be stepped on. Keep them in a case when they are not being
worn. -
Replace scratched, pitted, broken, bent or ill-fitting glasses.
Damaged glasses interfere with vision and do not provide protection. -
Replace damaged parts only with identical parts from the original
manufacturer to ensure the same safety rating. How do I select the proper safety glasses and
face protection?
If you are at risk for eye or face injury at work, you should wear
appropriate protection.
To select the proper protectors follow the recommendations in the
table below.
Selection of Eye and Face
Protection |
Note: This table cannot cover all possible hazards and
combinations that may occur. Examine each situation carefully and select the
appropriate protector or combination of protectors.
*indicates recommended protection |
 |
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
A |
B |
A |
B |
C |
|
|
A |
B |
C |
D |
A |
B |
C |
Flying Objects |
Chipping, drilling, scaling, grinding, polishing, buffing, riveting,
punching, shearing, hammer mills, crushing, heavy sawing, planning, wire and
strip handling, hammering, unpacking, nailing, punch press, lathework,
etc. |
* |
|
* |
* |
|
|
|
* |
* |
|
|
* |
|
|
Flying particles, dust, wind, etc. |
Woodworking, sanding, light metal working and machining, exposure to dust and
wind, resistance welding (no radiation exposure), sand, cement, aggregate
handling, painting, concrete work, plastering, material batching and
mixing |
* |
|
* |
* |
|
|
|
* |
* |
|
|
* |
|
|
Heat, sparks and splash from molten
materials |
Babbiting, casting, pouring molten metal, brazing, soldering, spot welding,
stud welding, hot dipping operations |
|
* |
|
|
* |
|
|
|
|
* |
* |
|
* |
* |
Acid splash, chemical burns |
Acid and alkali handling, degreasing, pickling and plating operations, glass
breakage, chemical spray, liquid bitumen handling |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
|
* |
|
|
* |
|
|
Abrasive blasting materials |
Sand blasting, shot blasting, shotcreting |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
|
* |
|
|
* |
|
|
Glare, stray light (for reduction of visible
radiation) |
Reflecting, bright sun and lights, reflected welding flash, photographic
copying |
* |
|
* |
* |
|
|
|
* |
* |
|
|
* |
|
|
Injurious optical radiation (moderate reduction of optical
radiation) |
Torch cutting, welding, brazing, furnace work, metal pouring, spot welding,
photographic copyring |
|
* |
|
|
* |
|
|
|
|
* |
|
|
* |
|
Injurious optical radiation (large reduction of optical
radiation) |
Electric arc welding, heavy gas cutting, plasma spraying and cutting, inert
gas shielded arc welding, atomic hydrogen welding |
From: "Z94.3.1-02 Protective Eyewear: A User's Guide" by Canadian Standards
Association, 2002.
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