Page 26 - Occupational Health & Safety, February 2018

VISION PROTECTION
butes will help you identify the reliable, safety- and quality-focused manufacturers that stand out from the crowd. Look be- yond manufacturers who treat safety eye- wear like a commodity. Instead, look for those that show a proven commitment to eye protection from every angle, including those that sponsor advocacy programs for industrial safety.
Here is a list of attributes to seek in a manufacturer that will deliver what you and your workforce really need:
■ Proven history of product integrity and dedicated customer support
■ New product development process-
es in which listening to customers is key
■ Commitment to research and devel- opment of innovative new frame materials, lens tints, lens coatings, style, and fit and
comfort features
■ Customized sample programs that
allow end users to try application-specific eyewear before they buy
■ State-of-the-art processes that en- sure order fulfillment, rapid response, and uninterrupted supply
■ Involvement in national standards committees to further the protection of workers ■ Manufacture in the USA and dedi- cated on-site engineers who ensure all
products meet or exceed quality standards, regardless of where they are manufactured
Focus on the Products
Once you’ve identified a shortlist of reli- able manufacturers, shift your focus toward their product offerings. Safety eyewear comes in a multitude of sizes, shapes, and styles—sometimes with even more options in lens tints, lens coatings, and more.
Protection is the top priority. Make sure that every pair of eyewear you select is marked with the American National Standards Institute’s Z87.1 stamp, which indicates it meets the requirement for in- dustrial-level impact resistance. In environ- ments with high-impact hazards, consider eyewear that meets the military standard for ballistic impact protection.
Style is just as essential as protection among today’s workforce, which is increas- ingly young and diverse. If workers feel their eyewear doesn’t look good, they are likely to remove it, even in the presence of hazards. In a study of more than 1,050 safety managers conducted by Uvex, ag- gressive styling was the top choice, with three-quarter frame styles a close second. From sport- and sunwear-inspired styles to classic wire frames and close-fitting designs such as over the glasses (OTG) eyewear, there’s a safety eyewear style to meet every- one’s needs.
Remember, despite how good they look, safety spectacles, goggles, and sealed eyewear alike must fit properly in order to protect. Not only is ill-fitting eyewear uncomfortable and distracting, it also can fall out of place upon impact, allowing ob- jects to reach the eyes. To ensure a safe and proper fit, look for styles that either come in small, medium, and large sizes; have flexible wraparound coverage; or feature innovative adjustability options that enable a high level of customization for a personal fit.
Finally, fogging lenses pose a major problem for nearly everyone wearing safety eyewear. Fog obscures an individual’s view of the task at hand and of nearby hazards. Furthermore, fog is nearly impossible to avoid: It is caused both by environmental factors and by the heat naturally gener- ated by worker exertion. Selecting a proven, long-lasting anti-fog lens coating is vital. Look for coatings that are permanently bonded to the lens, last more than 30 wash- es, employ dual-action hydrophilic and hy- drophobic properties, and undergo rigorous
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