EYE PROTECTION
Safety Goggles
• reduce risk in the workplace.
EYE PROTECTION
for sufficient peripheral vision. 1 This paper describes the EN STANDARDS RELATING TO
European Standards relating to such eyewear, specifically PROTECTIVE EYE WEAR
EN 166, 2 and outlines factors driving future developments A number of EN standards have been developed for eye
to enhance worker compliance. protection (see Table 1) and these should be used to ensure
the eyewear selected is appropriate for the hazards in
Safety specifications for eye that
protection
EN S TANDARDS
the work setting.
Personal protective eyewear must be worn when eye and face hazards are present in workplaces. It should fi t the individual or be
The European Committee for Standardization (CEN) is
adjustable to provide appropriate coverage, be comfortable and allow for suffi cient peripheral vision. EN standards have been developed
EN
166 and subsequent marking requirements.
to
create a minimum
for safety
eyewear, and
with distribu-
regards to their
performance
responsible
for the benchmark
development,
maintenance
The
European
Standards
relating
to
such
eyewear.
3
The EN 166:2002 2 is a basic European standard that is
tion of coherent sets of standards and specifications, includ-
to as
all goggles,
types of face
eye shields,
protection
are or to self
be used
ing the
technical
Standards
(prefixed
European
When
work
activities European
or settings present
eye hazards
per-sonal
protective applicable
eyewear, such
safety that
glasses,
4 respiratory devices must be used. The selection of the type of pro-tection must be determined by the nature and extent of
contained
full face
to prevent eye injury or alteration of vision from a variety
Amongst other purposes, they promote free
Norm or EN).
the hazard associated with each activity based on a risk hazard assessment, the circumstances of exposure, other 4 protective equipment used,
of hazards, with a few exceptions. These are radiation of
trade, the safety of workers and consumers, and the interop-
personal vision needs and legal requirements. It should fit the individual or be adjustable to provide appropriate coverage, be comfortable and
nuclear origin, X-rays, laser beams or infrared rays given
erability
of networks.
International
allow
for sufficient
peripheral
vision. Standards (prefixed ISO)
may supersede ENs in some cases. 4 Design, performance
out by sources at low temperature. 5 Specific standards for
EN STANDARDS RELATING TO PROTECTIVE EYE WEAR
A number of EN standards have been developed for eye protection (see Table below) and these should be used to ensure that the eyewear
1. Main
EN standards for eye protection 5,6
selected is appropriate for the hazards Table
in the work
setting.
Standards – Basic (General requirements)
Standards – Product type
EN166
EN167
EN168
EN169
EN170
Safety Eyewear
Standards – Field of use Welding
Laser
Mechanical/
heat protection
EN171
EN172
EN175
EN379
EN207
EN208
EN1731
Technical performance standard – The core technical standard
Methods for optical tests
Methods for tests other than optical
Filters for welding and related techniques – Transmittance
requirements and recommended utilisation
Ultraviolet fi lters – Transmittance requirements and recommended
utilisation
Infrared fi lters – Transmittance requirements and recommended use
Solar radiation fi lters – Sunglare fi lters for industrial use
Equipment for eye and face protection during welding and allied processes
Specifi cation for welding fi lters with switchable and dual luminous
transmittance
Filters and eye protection against laser radiation
Eye protection for adjustment work on lasers and laser systems
Mesh type eye and face protectors for industrial and non-industrial use
against mechanical hazards and/or heat
LENS MATERIALS
18
M AY /J UNE 2011
Refractive
Index Abbe
Value High-index plastics 1.70 to 1.74 36 (1.70)
33 (1.74) The thinnest lenses available. Block 100 percent UV. Lightweight.
High-index plastics 1.60 to 1.67 36 (1.60)
32 (1.67) Thin and lightweight. Block 100 percent UV.
Less costly than 1.70-1.74 high-index lenses.
Lens Material
1.60 41 1.586 30 Superior impact resistance. Blocks 100 percent UV. Lighter than high-
index plastic lenses.
1.54 45 Superior impact resistance. Blocks 100 percent UV. Higher Abbe value
than polycarbonate. Lightest lens material available.
CR-39 plastic 1.498 58 Excellent optics. Low cost. Downside: thickness.
Crown glass 1.523 59 Excellent optics. Low cost. Downsides: heavy, breakable.
Polycarbonate
Trivex
CYMOT Personal Protective Equipment
WWW . OCCHEALTH . CO . ZA
Thin and lightweight. Significantly more impact-resistant than CR-39
plastic and high-index plastic lenses (except polycarbonate and Trivex).
Higher Abbe value than polycarbonate. Downside: Not yet available in
a wide variety of lens designs.
Tribrid
8
Key Features
and Benefits
O CCUPATIONAL
H EALTH S OUTHERN
A FRICA
Eye Protection
9