American Safety Glasses

Our eyes are one of the most precious and delicate things we own, so it's no wonder that we want to ensure their safety at all times - particularly when working in a potentially hazardous situation.

Safety glasses come in a whole range of different styles and purposes. For example, some people wear safety glasses to protect their eyes from potentially harmful UV rays, especially people who work out doors a lot of the time. Other people may choose scratch-resistant safety glasses as they protect against most chemicals and solvents which can be very harmful to the eye.

There are over 2000 eye-related work injuries in the USA every single day, with construction workers making up the majority of these injuries. Even small particles of dust, slag, wood shavings, and cement can cause huge implications within your eyes. A simple scratch on the eye can lead to life-long sight implications. It is because of this that safety glasses are so essential in these lines of work.

 

 

American safety glasses must have ‘Z87' or ‘Z87+' printed on the glasses either on the frame or on the lens. If you are using tinted safety glasses for protection from the sun or when using a soldering iron, they must also have a shade number printed on them, from 1.5 - 3. If you are using them for gas or arc welding the shade number must be 4+ to provide adequate protection to your eyes.

If you are wearing safety glasses to protect you from flying and loose particles, they should also have side protection, this can either be in the form of side shields or as wraparound glasses. Modern safety glasses usually use the wraparound style. Some glasses also have brow protection across the top of the glasses.

You should ensure that whatever safety glasses you choose are comfortable to wear, as you may be wearing them for hours at a time. American safety glasses can come with hard or soft nose pieces, padded temples, as well as a whole range of other comfort options.

Most non-prescription safety glasses are made from polycarbonate lenses, whereas prescription safety glasses may be made from either polycarbonate, glass, or CR39 - a type of plastic. All safety glasses must pass strict safety tests, including shooting a ¼” BB at them at 100 mph. Only if they pass the tests are they given a Z87 marking.

Polycarbonate lenses can scratch very easily, however you can easily have an anti-scratch coating put onto the lenses to prevent scratching, and is very inexpensive and worth it. You can also purchase retainer straps for your safety glasses so that you can let them hang around your neck when you're not using them to prevent them getting dropped or broken.

 

* AO SUNGLASSES are NOT ANSI Z87.1-2003 safety glasses

 

There are a huge range of safety glasses available to purchase, many of which are produced in the USA. Depending on the style and sophistication of the safety glasses you choose, they can be very affordable, and often much cheaper than buying normal sunglasses or prescription glasses.

American AllSafe have a great range of American safety glasses in all sorts of styles and colors. For example, their Cuda safety glasses are created specifically for those that work in environments that are humid and surrounded in grit and dirt. They provide an anti-fog and hard coated lens as well as an amber tint to help enhance sight in low-light work environments. They are priced at just US$7.

US Safety are another brand of American safety glasses with a great range of options. The Guard Dog pair for example, are a wraparound style perfect for all-round protection for your eyes. They have impact-resistant polycarbonate frames that offer 99.9% UV protection. They are made from a light-weight nylon frame that provides ultimate comfort for the wearer. They are priced at just US$9 a pair.

As you can see, American safety glasses are an essential part of keeping your eyes safe. They are very affordable, and come in all shapes, sizes and colors, so there is sure to be a pair that suits you - no excuse!