Do you work around chemicals, or in an environment with flying shards of wood or metal? If so, safety glasses are a requirement for your work area. OSHA specifies that work environments with flying particles, molten metal, liquid or gaseous chemicals, acids or caustics, infected materials, or potentially-harmful light radiation require eye and face protection of some kind. Safety glasses offer a basic level, while goggles and face shields provide even more protective properties.

Like all safety gear, glasses must fit correctly in order to be fully effective; everyday prescription lenses, as well, must not interfere with their effectiveness. When a worker uses a prescription, the lenses for his or her vision must be combined with the design of the safety glasses or goggles. Overall, a pair of either glasses or goggles must shield against a workplace's specific hazards, fit comfortably and correctly, provide full vision and range of movement, be strong and cleanable, and not hinder the functioning of other personal protective equipment.

Safety glasses, by definition, have frames of plastic or metal and impact-resistant lenses; some designs may have side shields. Goggles, going a step higher in protection, have a tighter fit and fully cover the eyes, sockets, and surrounding face area. Goggles shield the wearer from dust, splashes, and impacts and can be worn with corrective lenses in some cases. For greater protection, a face shield can be worn with safety glasses and goggles. All glasses and goggles must comply with ANSI Z 87.1-1989 requirements, and if an employer provides eyewear, such as a pair of safety glasses to multiple employees, all safety gear must be cleaned and sterilized after use.

For which types of jobs are safety glasses or other eye and face protection necessary? OSHA specifies carpenters, electricians, machinists, sheet metal workers and tinsmiths, mechanics, millwrights, plumbers, pipefitters, welders, assemblers, grinding machine operators, sawyers, laborers, chemical handlers and process operators, and timber-cutting and logging workers. More occupations require eye and face protection, however. OSHA recommends that workers in environments with flying dust, metal, or woodchips, chemical splashes, swinging objects, or radiant energy wear safety glasses, goggles, or stronger face and eye protection.