Safety glasses has evolved after several decades of manufacturing. Before, several workers at construction, welding and other hazardous environment cringe at using safety glasses because they look like goggles use by laboratory geeks. In other words, these spectacles are not fashionable.
Times has changed indeed. Stylish safety glasses are available in various shapes, colors and style. There are several manufacturers that cater to the needs of people who need both “style” and “safety” at work. For first time buyers and people who are looking for information about fashionable safety glasses, here are a few things to look at.
Things to look at:
1. Government standards
There are a couple of standards you need to look at before buying your first pair of stylish safety glasses. It isn’t complex either. The American National Standards Institute has established the ANSI Z87.1 in the United States to establish rules and protocols to manufacture quality safety glasses.
The Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) is also an important entity to look at when buying your safety glasses. Spectacles that meet OSHA standards will have the Z-87 mark either on the lens or temple piece. You need to look at these standards to verify that the stylish safety glasses you’re buying are authentic.
In other countries, similar standards are adapted. Like in Canada, the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) has set rules for manufacturing safety glasses for Canadian workers and immigrants. They provide the standard for the materials to be used for the lens, where should the markings/logo be placed and as well as the frame of the glasses. They also provide a table that match which specific safety glasses to wear on specific hazardous environment.
2. Quality
The material used in the lens of stylish safety glasses is also important and vital. The safety of your eyes lies on the quality of material used in them. Strong plastic material like polycarbonate are used in manufacturing these pair of safety glasses.
This may sound similar to regular plastic sunglasses you buy in the mall. However, polycarbonate proves to be more resistant to flying debris like wood chips, nail and other metal strips. This material can also withstand high impact obstacles thus they are more durable than common spectacles.
Additional protection on safety glasses can be used to block U.V. rays or it can be made to be scratch proof. Similar with sunglasses, you can choose on a variety of brands offering stylish safety glasses. They look very good and can be very comparable with fashionable spectacles you see around.
3. Comfort
When buying for your first pair of stylish safety glasses, one of the first thing to look at is how does it fit? Remember, if you’re working at a hazardous environment that requires frequent usage of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) 8 hrs/day you need to make sure those pair of safety glasses fit very well. Else, you might end up feeling uncomfortable with it that you will quit using it completely.
Similar with buying clothes and personal wear, you should try the glasses you want to buy. There’s no other way you can tell if the safety glasses you’re buying is good or not unless you try them on!
4. Price
Nothing beats a good pair of safety eye glasses with a great price. Great deals are everywhere and you can find it for sure. I look for shops with great discounts as well near my place or the internet; and also during holidays. That’s a great time to find bargain.
Buying stylish safety glasses can be simple if you know what and where to look for. If you bought sunglasses before, you should be familiar on the type you are most comfortable with and looks good on you. Again, apart from fashion and being stylish, safety should be the first thing in your mind before buying these spectacles.