Page 34 - Occupational Health & Safety, December 2017

VISION PROTECTION
to use poorly designed, odd-looking safety glasses.
Factors in a Comfortable Fit
One of the most common factors leading to safety eyewear-relat- ed discomfort is overly thick temples (most often referred to as “arms”). While poorly designed temples may be the leading cause of discomfort for those using protective eyewear, a lack of adjust- ability might also be a significant culprit. For that reason, simple yet effective technologies, including ratcheting, multi-positional systems that create a secure, comfortable fit for an incredibly broad range of head shapes and sizes, are available but are rarely found on lower-priced products. It’s important to note that improperly cho- sen safety eyewear might fail to meet the guidelines set by OSHA’s standard for PPE (1910.132), which includes this passage: “Select PPE that properly fits each affected employee.”
For better or worse, glasses have morphed from a method of correcting vision or providing eye protection to a full-fledged fash- ion accessory. It might seem that creating well-shaped, attractive eyewear might be an easy target. The truth is, forced to work with inferior materials and restricted by less-than-leading-edge manu- facturing capabilities, lower-cost suppliers are often limited to bulky, unattractive designs.
In terms of both materials and ergonomics, frame quality is of critical importance. Poorly designed frames often fit too tight or too loose, the former causing uncomfortable pressure points
on the wearer’s head and the latter responsible for annoying slip- page that often occurs at the most inopportune moments. There are two issues associated with the use of inferior frame materials. Additional weight can make the product uncomfortable to wear in extremely short order, and compromised durability to impact could render the eyewear unusable in an unacceptably short span of time. The bottom line is this: Eyewear that is uncomfortable or structurally compromised simply doesn’t get worn.
More Than Just Dollars and Cents
Safety managers are increasingly moving away from seeing safety eyewear as a low-cost commodity. The bottom line is that workers are far more likely to wear comfortable, stable-fitting, and aestheti- cally pleasing eyewear at all necessary times. The result is signifi- cantly improved compliance, fewer lost days, and—this is no small consideration—happier employees. The question now becomes: With some features that are immediately tangible (lens quality, an- ti-fog technology) and some harder to quantify (comfort, aesthet- ics), how does a busy safety manager make an informed choice? Working with a manufacturer that is a true partner, is able to pro- vide samples for field trials, and is willing to take the time to answer all questions is a good place to start.
Peggy Kroesch (pkroesch@bushnell.com) is Brand Manager, Eyewear for Bollé Safety/ Bollé Tactical, www.bollesafety-usa.com.
30 Occupational Health & Safety | DECEMBER 2017
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