| It used to be common for workers to scoff at | | | | beyond the thick, black rimmed |
| the idea of wearing any sort of | | | | spectacles or the awkward goggles of the |
| personal protection equipment, or PPE. However, | | | | 1950s.Safety glasses can be made to |
| the times, the technology and | | | | a prescription and safety bifocals, trifocals and |
| the laws have changed. The workplace today is | | | | progressive focus lenses are |
| a much safer place as a result.The Occupational | | | | standard. The lens material, too, has changed. |
| Safety and Health Act was passed in 1970 to | | | | There now exist several |
| "assure safe and | | | | options, from the original plastic to a new |
| healthy working conditions for working men and | | | | substance, polycarbonate.Polycarbonate lenses are |
| women". OSHA, the governmental | | | | lighter and more impact resistant, but sacrifice |
| agency responsible for the enforcement of the | | | | optical clarity. A third material is Trivex, the most |
| 1970 Act, determines the safety | | | | impact resistant, while |
| regulations required for all businesses in the | | | | retaining excellent optical clarity, but this lens |
| US.Hardhats, safety glasses and | | | | material is quite expensive |
| goggles, steel-toed boots, protective clothing, | | | | and still not as widely available as polycarbonate. |
| harnesses and radioactive | | | | All of these materials can |
| dosimeter badges are just a few examples of | | | | be coated a variety of tints, both cosmetic and |
| PPE that may be required on today's | | | | functional.Goggles have become |
| job-sites. The degree and type of PPE use is | | | | somewhat of a dinosaur, as the tendency to |
| dependent on the industry.Mandatory Personal | | | | fog, the poor optical clarity and the |
| Protective EquipmentOSHA requires that all | | | | downright discomfort have made them obsolete, |
| workers use mandatory PPE in any job that | | | | except in specific circumstances.Z-87 |
| poses a threat | | | | CerificationAny safety glasses that meet or |
| to one's health. It is the employer's responsibility | | | | exceed OSHA standards has "Z-87" stamped on |
| to assess the workplace for | | | | the |
| potential health threats and implement the | | | | lens or temple piece. Thanks to advances in |
| necessary steps to address any | | | | chemistry and the safety industry, |
| hazard. If such a hazard is present, the employer | | | | the safety glasses of today, while virtually |
| must supply the PPE and | | | | indistinguishable from trendy, |
| educate the employee on both the potential | | | | brand name sunglasses, protect the user from |
| hazards and the proper use of the | | | | almost any hazard from a flying |
| PPE.Safety glasses must be worn in any situation | | | | chip to a caustic liquid.Nathan Waterman certified |
| where the worker is or might be | | | | and trained in heavy industry PPE use and OSHA |
| exposed to flying debris, often in the form of | | | | requirements writes for recently discussed |
| sparks, dust or splashes. The | | | | industrial prescription safety glasses. |
| safety glasses of today have advanced far | | | | |