| It used to be common for workers to scoff at | | | | splashes. Thesafety glasses of today have |
| the idea of wearing any sort ofpersonal protection | | | | advanced far beyond the thick, black |
| equipment, or PPE. However, the times, the | | | | rimmedspectacles or the awkward goggles of the |
| technology andthe laws have changed. The | | | | 1950s. |
| workplace today is a much safer place as a result. | | | | Safety glasses can be made toa prescription and |
| The Occupational Safety and Health Act was | | | | safety bifocals, trifocals and progressive focus |
| passed in 1970 to "assure safe andhealthy | | | | lenses arestandard. The lens material, too, has |
| working conditions for working men and women". | | | | changed. There now exist severaloptions, from |
| OSHA, the governmentalagency responsible for | | | | the original plastic to a new substance, |
| the enforcement of the 1970 Act, determines the | | | | polycarbonate. |
| safetyregulations required for all businesses in the | | | | Polycarbonate lenses are lighter and more impact |
| US. | | | | resistant, but sacrificeoptical clarity. A third |
| Hardhats, safety glasses andgoggles, steel-toed | | | | material is Trivex, the most impact resistant, |
| boots, protective clothing, harnesses and | | | | whileretaining excellent optical clarity, but this lens |
| radioactivedosimeter badges are just a few | | | | material is quite expensiveand still not as widely |
| examples of PPE that may be required on | | | | available as polycarbonate. All of these materials |
| today'sjob-sites. The degree and type of PPE use | | | | canbe coated a variety of tints, both cosmetic |
| is dependent on the industry. | | | | and functional. |
| Mandatory Personal Protective Equipment | | | | Goggles have becomesomewhat of a dinosaur, as |
| OSHA requires that all workers use mandatory | | | | the tendency to fog, the poor optical clarity and |
| PPE in any job that poses a threatto one's health. | | | | thedownright discomfort have made them |
| It is the employer's responsibility to assess the | | | | obsolete, except in specific circumstances. |
| workplace forpotential health threats and | | | | Z-87 Cerification |
| implement the necessary steps to address | | | | Any safety glasses that meet or exceed OSHA |
| anyhazard. If such a hazard is present, the | | | | standards has "Z-87" stamped on thelens or |
| employer must supply the PPE andeducate the | | | | temple piece. Thanks to advances in chemistry |
| employee on both the potential hazards and the | | | | and the safety industry,the safety glasses of |
| proper use of the | | | | today, while virtually indistinguishable from |
| PPE. | | | | trendy,brand name sunglasses, protect the user |
| Safety glasses must be worn in any situation | | | | from almost any hazard from a flyingchip to a |
| where the worker is or might beexposed to flying | | | | caustic liquid. |
| debris, often in the form of sparks, dust or | | | | |