Page 30 - OHS, October 2023

PPE: VISION PROTECTION my job?). We found that the products of- fered in the past do not quite tick all these boxes and felt it was important to enhance the design and functionality of this seg- ment of safety goggles. The newest goggle designs in the mar- ket incorporate cushioned fit technologies, providing more comfort features where the soft frame that attaches to the main frame includes comfort bellows that en- able the product to self-adjust to virtually any face shape or head size. This dramati- cally reduces the risk of discomfort and pain points while securing the tightness of the goggle on the face. At the same time, however, industry engineers have been working hard at solv- ing a wide range of problems that go be- yond just comfort and fit. There are various situations where wearing goggles is important, but they do not all include exposure to the same risks. For instance, while tightness is usu- ally a common need for those who select goggles over glasses, some workers may be exposed only to liquid splashes while oth- ers would need to also be protected against dust or even gas hazards, thus requiring a fully sealed and tight eyewear solution. It is also important to consider the en- vironment in which workers operate in terms of heat and humidity. In some cases, a well-vented goggle with airflow will pro- vide better comfort than a fully sealed one. So, the industry has been challenged with a need to develop a variety of use-specific solutions. Some manufacturers are even color-coding use-specific goggles. This not only makes it simple to pick the right pro- tection for a particular job and environ- ment, but it also enables the production supervisors or safety managers to quickly identify if someone is not wearing the ap- propriate protective equipment. Some of the use-specific jobs that goggles are being specifically built for in- clude meeting the needs of those work- ing around construction sites, dangerous gasses, and inflammables, those work- ing around solvents and acids, as well as goggles that meet the specifications for welding. For those working in the most extreme conditions, where it’s not uncommon for projectiles to be a cause of concern, there are now options for a face shield that will attach to the goggles to provide a full face protection system. Designed for users who amedeoemaja/Shutterstock.com While safety obviously remains the most critical feature of PPE eyewear, it must also meet user style expectations. work in a variety of conditions, these new move towards sealed eyewear (glasses with face shields can be easily attached before a gasket that provides a reasonable level of performing a task requiring full face pro- tightness) or safety goggles which provide tection. the ultimate level of tightness and vision These goggles with attachable face combined. shields provide an extension of the protec- The role of PPE eyewear specialists tion against impact and projections (par- is not to move people away from safety ticles, liquids, etc.,) to the lower part of the glasses towards goggles. It is to make sure face, while keeping a tight protection on that people use the best-suited protection the eye area and they are intended to be for their job, with protection that covers easily removable with a standby position the risks they are exposed to and that en- (up) when not in use. ables them to perform their jobs safely and effectively. If you haven’t tried safety goggles re- Evolving With Worker Needs cently, it might be worth checking them The increased use of goggles is linked out at a PPE store near you. to the increase in safety awareness at the work site. What we clearly see in the market is an increased demand for prod- ucts that provide extra protection against Vincent Azibert brings 20 years of various hazards beyond simple, frontal, experience driving the development of or lateral impact. In some environments innovative personal protective equipment (for instance, construction sites, OGP or for industrial, first responder and tactical chemical plants), or for some applications applications. Prior to working at Bollé (drilling, cutting, welding, milling, han- Safety, Vincent worked with MSA, a market dling chemicals, etc.), tight eye protection leader in the PPE industry, as a Product is key to safety and workers who naturally Group Manager. 30 Occupational Health & Safety | OCTOBER 2023 www.ohsonline.com