Safety Goggles: Types, Uses and Cleaning

Each day, it is estimated that approximately 2000 eye-related injuries occur in the workplace. Of these 2000, one third of the injuries are severe enough to be treated in hospital emergency rooms. Most reported eye injuries occur from flying particles. The second most common eye injuries are a result of accidents from chemical splash.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that almost three out of five workplace eye injuries are due to not wearing appropriate eye protection—either not wearing eye protection at all or wearing the wrong kind of eye protection.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA’s) eye and face protection standard (1910.133) states “the employer shall ensure that each affected employee uses appropriate eye or face protection when exposed to eye or face hazards from flying particles, molten metal, liquid chemicals, acids or caustic liquids, chemical gases or vapors, or potentially injurious light radiation.”

It is not uncommon for workers to use safety glasses with sideshields for protection from impact of flying particles. However, workers that use the same type of protection for chemical splash or for protection from vapors have a false sense of security and are not protected. When the hazard assessment calls for protection from chemical splash or chemical vapors, goggles should be selected.

Goggles are designed for protection from specific hazards. They help protect the eyes and facial area immediately surrounding the eyes. Goggles provide more protection than safety glasses from impact, dust, liquid splash, optical radiation and high heat hazards. There are three different types of goggles available: direct ventilation, indirect ventilation and non-vented safety goggles

Safety Goggles: Types and Uses

Direct vented goggles allow the direct flow of air into the goggle. The openings in the vented portion of the goggles exclude spherical objects that are 0.06 inches (1.5 millimeters) in diameter or greater. In cases where impact is the hazard and a splash or vapor hazard does not exist, a direct vented goggle can be used as an appropriate level of protection.

Indirect vented goggles provide protection from splash entry by a hooded or covered vent. The vented portion of the goggle is designed so that no direct straight-line passage from the exterior to the interior of the goggle exists. The purpose of the indirect venting is to limit or prevent the passage of liquid splash into the goggle. In cases where chemical splash is a hazard, indirect vented goggles should be selected as appropriate protection.

Non-vented goggles have no venting of any kind and offer protection against the passage of dust, mist, liquid and vapors. For applications where chemical vapor* is the hazard, a non-vented goggle will be required protection.
*Non-vented goggles are NOT gas-proof goggles.

When selecting the appropriate goggle for your workplace, you must first perform a workplace hazard assessment. If eye and face workplace hazards are present, you must determine when, where and what type of eye and face protection is required.

Safety Goggles: Cleaning, Sanitizing and Storage

Cleaning your safety goggles after use is a good practice. There are several ways goggles can be cleaned. Many goggles have special lens coatings. If you use a wipe to clean or dry the lens, you must be careful not to scratch or damage the coating. If a towelette is preferred for cleaning, consider using a moistened towelette to gently wipe the lens. You may also simply rinse the debris from the lens with running water and allow the goggles to dry naturally. Another option would be an eyewear sanitizing cabinet that operates using germicidal bulbs. These cabinets can be used for either goggles and/or safety eyewear.

The information contained in this article is intended for general information purposes only and is based on information available as of the initial date of publication. No representation is made that the information or references are complete or remain current. This article is not a substitute for review of current applicable government regulations, industry standards, or other standards specific to your business and/or activities and should not be construed as legal advice or opinion. Readers with specific questions should refer to the applicable standards or consult with an attorney.