If your work exposes you to dirt, dust, and chemicals, your risk of getting an eye injury is high. However, it’s likely not going to happen if you are wearing safety goggles.
These goggles can protect your eyes from any injury. It can block dirt, debris, dust, liquid, and chemicals from entering your eyes. Moreover, it is susceptible to protecting your eyes against impact.
You may be wondering if all protective goggles can do this. Not all goggles are equally made, and it has rating marks that you want to check to see if it can serve your purpose.
Plus mark
The lens that has passed the high-velocity test has a “+” mark on it. This lens is capable of blocking high impact. The mark can also be applied to a prescription lens with the same capabilities.
“S” and “V” marks
You will see these marks on the tinted lens. “S” means that the lens has a special tint, and “V” means it has photochromic. However, in some cases, you may also see a number marked on a tinted safety lens that tells how much light is blocked by the tint.
The tinted protective goggles used when working in brazing, cutting, welding, and soldering operations, as well as with molten metals, have densities of 1.5 to 3.0. This range of density is mild to moderate shade for torch soldering. On the other hand, the lenses used for electric arc welding have densities of 10 to 14, which are very dark shades.
All of these markings are permanent. If the lens does not meet the standard for high impact, the prescription safety wear should have a removable warning label.
How do they test the frames of safety goggles?
The safety goggles’ frames are tested using the same standards used in primary or high impact applications. The tests include:
- Durability– The safety frames should pass the corrosion-resistance test, flammability-resistance test, and other durability tests.
- High mass impact– This test is made by dropping a one-inch, 17.6 ounces projectile through a tube, hanging 50 inches above the safety lens mounted in a frame, worn by an artificial head. Once the projectile hits the glass, the frame must fully retain it, and nothing should become detached from the components inside the frame that holds the lenses.
- High-velocity impact– The test requires shooting a quarter-inch metal ball at the lens and the frame. The ball flies at a speed of 150 feet per second from under 10-inch distance. This test is repeated several times (with a new lens and frame each test) at various positions and angles of impact, which is also done during a high mass impact test.
Aside from the workplace, safety goggles are also being used in sports, such as skiing, skydiving, paintball, and other sports where you have to protect your eyes from wind and projectiles. Protective eyewear like goggles should be worn whenever you are doing something that can put your eyes at risk, whether at home or work.
By following this simple guideline, you should be able to get good-quality protective eyewear that is perfect for whatever purpose it may serve. Remember that different tint densities can fully protect your eyes from heat and light. Moreover, you also have to make sure that your protective eyewear has passed the safety test to protect your eyes from the impact of a projectile fully.
