PPE Eye Protection

Our range of eye protection is a core part of our PPE offering. We stock all common types of eye protection on the shelf. Our wide range includes safety spectacles, over spectacles, goggles and full face shields, ensuring you can get the safety eyewear you need when you need it.

Eye protection in its most basic form is a type of PPE that protects both eyes from injury or irritation caused by foreign objects entering the eyes. The type and level of protection you require will very much depend on the work you are carrying out; for example, a person using a grinder will potentially need a very different level of PPE eye protection from a person who is mixing chemicals and needs chemical splash goggles.

With our extensive range of eye PPE at your disposal, you can help improve your worksite safety by making eye injuries a thing of the past. Whether you are protecting yourself from flying solid debris, dust or even liquids, we have something for you and your staff.

Getting The Right Eye Protection

To choose the right type of eye protection, it helps to be familiar with the following; The types of hazards and the types of eye protection available, and what the markings and ratings on eye PPE protection mean. With all this in mind and a good workplace safety risk assessment, you will be in a much better position to make an informed choice on the type of eye protection required.

Key Types Of Eye Protection PPE

Safety Glasses

Most people are familiar with this type of eye protection. They come in a form similar to regular prescription eyewear, making them comfortable to wear all day long. These are available with many features, from lightweight designs to those that look like sunglasses and everything in between.

• You can comfortably wear it all day.
• Available in a range of styles.
• Not suitable for chemical hazards, dust and gasses.

Safety Overspecs

This format may be the right choice if you wear prescription glasses and want some safety specs. Safety over glasses can be worn over the top of your everyday eyewear, allowing you to see in focus whilst offering improved impact protection for your eyes. Contrary to some common misconceptions, prescription glasses are no substitute for proper eye protection.

• You can comfortably wear it all day.
• Available in a range of styles.
• Not suitable for chemical hazards, dust and gasses.

Safety Goggles

Safety goggles are the next step up the ladder from safety glasses and over specs; they offer improved protection to the areas around the eyes. They generally can be worn with prescription eyewear and have a seal around the outside. Depending on the model, they can be airtight, keeping hazardous gasses away from the eye's sensitive tissues. The greater contact area with the face means that these are often rated for more significant impacts.

• You can wear these over spectacles.
• Suitable for all hazard categories (model dependant.)
• It can become uncomfortable if worn for long periods.

Face Shields

Although not strictly exclusively for eye protection, face shields, like the name suggests, offer protection to the whole face; this includes the eyes. Face shields can provide a primary layer of defence that you can wear over safety spectacles to protect the face from larger flying debris, such as those caused when cutting disks fail.

• They protect the whole face
• Great for splashes and impacts
• Comfortable enough to wear all day.
• Not suitable for use with gasses and ultra-fine dust.

EN Markings To Understand Before Purchasing Your Protective Eyewear

The manufacturer will have applied EN markings to the lens and frame of any safety glasses or goggles you purchase. These will indicate the performance of the eyewear in terms of its resistance to hazards and other elements. Below you will find full details on how to understand these markings.

Optical Clarity

1 - High clarity, you can wear these continuously all day long.

2 - Medium clarity, suitable for occasional use only.

3 - Low clarity, suitable for infrequent use or use for short periods only.

Mechanical Strength Markings

• S - Indicates enhanced robustness (offering greater performance than basic prescription eyewear)
• F - Suitable for low energy impacts at up to 45 m/s - Suitable for use when working with hand tools.
• B - Suitable for medium energy impacts at up to 120 m/s - Suitable for use when working with power tools.
• T - Suitable for protection at extreme Temperatures. - suitable for use when working at extreme temperatures -5°C to +55°C

Indications Of Suitable Hazard Usage

• 3 - Resistance to liquids and droplets - Suitable for use with chemicals, acids and other hazardous liquids.
• 4 - Resistance to large Dust Particules (up to 5 μm) - Suitable for use around larger dust particles such as those created by coal.
• 5 - Resistance to gas and fine particles (below 5 μm) - Non-vented for use around fumes and fine dust such as brick dust.
• 8 - Resistance to short circuits & Electric arcs - Suitable for use around hazardous electronics
• 9 - Resistance to molten metals & hot solids - Such as those found when welding and grinding.

Manufacturers Trademark Symbol

This marking indicates who manufactured the item of PPE. On a frame, this may be the first included symbol.

Optional Markings

• K - Resistance to scratches & surface damage caused by fine particles. - Keeps your glasses haze and scratch free for longer
• N - Anti mist - This is ideal for those working in environments where changes in temperature can fog up the lenses
• H - Frame suitable for wearers with smaller heads

All Lens Shade Suffixes

	Light Transmission (LTV)	Lens Shade		Function
1-1.2	74.4% - 100%	Clear		Suitable for use in good visibility conditions.
2C-1.2
5-1.4	58.1% - 74.4%	Indoor / Outdoor		Ideal when moving between indoors and outdoors.
5-1.7	48% - 56%
5-2.5	17.8% - 29.1%	Mid Smoke		Crisp optics and good colour recognition.
5-3.1	8.5% - 17.8%	Smoke		For direct sunlight and bright glare.
5-2.5	17.8% - 29.1%	Blue Mirror		Protects from sun glare with a better light transmission than smoked lenses.
5-3.1	8.5% - 17.8%	Polarised		Ideal for driving & working around water.
2-1.2	74.4%-100%	Yellow		Offers sharpness & contrast. Primary function to block blue light.