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PPE: VISION PROTECTION Redefining Eye Safety: The Rise of Modernized Safety Goggles How new approaches to product design are striking a balance between style, comfort and enhanced protection in the workplace. BY VINCENT AZIBERT, BOLLÉ SAFETY PRODUCT DIRECTOR Walk around any job site and it’s likely you’ll see more workers switching to goggles over safety glasses. While safety goggles are certainly not a new con- cept, recent innovations aim to make them more comfortable to wear, which is fueling category growth as more workers shift to the additional protection that goggles provide. Today’s modernized safety goggles provide a tighter, sealed fit and are ideal for workers who may find themselves in environ- ments that produce flying debris and projectiles that could poten- tially be harmful to the users’ eyes. Beyond the framework of meeting and even exceeding appli- cable safety standards, we are seeing new goggle designs in the market that focus on improved fit, comfort, and customization features to cater to a diverse range of users. Pedal to the Stock/Shutterstock.com Because every face is different, there has been a strong com- mitment to developing goggles aimed at fitting a much wider range of users, spanning from those with various facial features such as large or narrow faces, low or high cheeks and shapes re- gardless of gender. Giving Goggles a Second Look Industry engineers are striving to make today’s industrial goggles both attractive and more comfortable, without compromising safety and protection. While safety obviously remains the most critical feature of PPE eyewear, it must also meet user style expec- tations. Many workers think about style (how do I look?), com- fort (how do I feel?) and the impact goggles have on their work (how do I see and does my PPE negatively impact my ability to do 28 Occupational Health & Safety | OCTOBER 2023 www.ohsonline.com