Personal protective equipment is required for many industries. It includes things like clothing, boots, gloves and eyewear to help prevent on-the-job injuries.
With workplace diversification greater than ever, new concerns about improperly fit eyewear have emerged. The facial structure in men and women is significantly different, which means a “one-size-fits-all” solution for protective eyewear presents more than a few issues.
The importance of the proper fit
If there are gaps between the eyewear and the person’s face, debris can enter the eye and cause an eye injury. Unfortunately, some employers wait until eye injuries reach unacceptable levels before implementing changes to their eyewear policy.
Employers need to ensure each worker has access to well-fit eyewear to protect their eyes from potential Harm. This goal requires things like personal fit testing to ensure the maximum allowable gap is not exceeded.
Protect workers with adjustable eyewear
While ensuring a good fit is important, employers should also provide adjustable eyewear to ensure the safety gear fits the person wearing it. For example, adjusting at the temples will help reduce facial gaps and provide a more secure fit for workers.
For ratcheting temples, being able to adjust the angle of the lens for air circulation and optimal coverage is ideal. You can also find hybrid protective eyewear, which offers sealed options to ensure the glasses stay gap-free and interchangeable temples and headbands.
When you’ve suffered an eye injury at work
Protective eyewear is a must when you work in certain industries. Even so, you can end up with an injury to your eyes that needs immediate care. If that happens, make sure that you fully understand your right to workers’ compensation benefits.