If anyone among you has been working in America since the early 90s, you will possibly be well aware of the old-formed safety eyewear. The old side shields for glasses were unattractive, and side shields looked like side arms.
In the olden days, Safety Glasses in the USA, if you had worn prescription eyeglasses, ordinary eyewear lenses were enough to provide impact protection.
If they need side shields, a temporary side shield required that made from polyethylene plastic, and they adjust it.
The purpose of safety eyewear is to protect against foreign flying debris, wood chips, metal particles, or many more that can get into the eyes from any side.
The purpose of side shields is to be installed from the sides of eyeglasses to get more protection. However the fitting of side shields was a big issue, and safety from flying particles from the sides of eyewear was inadequate.
What is New in Current Side Shields?
Today, you know that all safety eyewear should meet the safety standard, and this standard is necessary for side shields as well.
Since the 1990s, the protective specs have come with integrated side shields that provide efficient protection. Now you can even get safety glasses with clip-on side shields.
But a big question arises whether there is a difference between integrated side shields and clip-on side shields or not.
So, which side shield is better a permanent attached side shield or clip-on side shields that were used in the past? Let’s take a deep look at their use.
Permanent side shields are fixed with the temple of the eyeglasses, and no one can remove them. The main advantage of the permanent side shields was that the workers were unable to take off side shields at the time of working.
Thus, this thing ensures that the workers have worn proper protection always. Clip-on side shields are like a clip on the safety glasses frame.
The main benefit of the clip-on shields was that the regular wearer can take off eyeglasses when they don’t need any protection.
Today safety eyewear is so stylish that no one can tell the difference whether they are protective eyewear or street eyewear.
However, the requirement of selected safety eyewear goes beyond the style. The reason behind this is the safety glasses are made according to safety standards that are used in their manufacturing.
This safety standard is a legislative requirement for protective eyeglasses. So, if any worker works in a hazardous area, he should wear proper safety eyewear that meets the safety standards of the ANSI and OSHA.
What is the Safety Standard?
It should be noted that the safety standard should meet specifically Z87.1 was established by the ANSI for face and eye safety.
So, for Safety Shields for Glasses, the Z87 code should be stamped on the temple of the eyewear frame or lenses. This safety standard allows the user to remove side shields if the eyewear lenses exceed the certified safety.
Non-prescription eyeglasses frames and lenses should meet the required safety standards, and detached side shields should not allow for Plano eyeglasses.
So, in this situation, permanent side shields are essential because they will not fall or misplace in any position. Another option for the wearer of prescription lenses, they wear oversized glasses over their prescription lenses.
Such a type of set of eyewear is known as an oversized protector or safety goggles. But an oversized protector was needed only for visitors or workers who needed them for occasional safety.
The safety standard of protective glasses is clear. If you are a worker and you have to work in some hazardous area where there is a risk of flying objects that can enter your eyes, you must wear them.
Make sure that for these places, you have protective eyewear with permanent side shields so that your eyes can get enough protection from foreign object attacks.
Fitting of Protective Eyeglasses:
For working in a hazardous environment, on Teacher’s Day, your eyewear must have a good fit so that you are comfortable wearing it for a long time.
Many eyeglasses come with different essential parts so, make sure they have proper adjustment. Safety eyewear alongside shields will shield the sides of your eyes. You wear them when you are in the flying particles that are hazards for the eyes.
The side shields will protect you from flying particles that can come from any direction. Face shields are used over eye protection that will cover your whole face. They will shield your eyes from glare, heat, flying objects, and chemical splashes.
Although they cannot give you enough safety so always wear them over safety glasses. Safety goggles with ventilation must have a snug fit around your eyes.
You must wear them when you find a dusty place or any hazards that could strike your eyes. Goggles can protect you from flying objects. Sparks and dust can get in from any angle.
