Almost 20,000 employees suffer eye injuries in the United States every year, costing approximately $300 million in lost productivity, workers’ compensation, and medical treatment.1 To combat this and prevent accidents, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) enforces strict standards, such as 29 CFR 1910.133 and 29 CFR 1918.101, that require employers to provide employees with eye protection when necessary.2
We’ll address common workplace eye hazards, ways to prevent eye injuries, and the importance of safety glasses in preserving your vision and eye health.
Many people are unaware of the risks of workplace eye injuries, even in industries where they’re common. Here are some common workplace eye hazards and the industries they often affect:3
| Hazard | Examples | Industry |
|---|---|---|
| Flying projectiles | Shards of metal, glass, concrete, or wood | Construction, manufacturing |
| Particles | Wood splinters, metal shavings, silica, or dust | Construction, manufacturing |
| Chemicals | Splashes or fumes | Labs, healthcare, cleaning, industrial |
| Radiation | Visible light, ultraviolet (UV) or infrared radiation, or lasers | Medical, dental, industrial |
| Light | Bright light or glare | Welding, outdoor work |
| Biological contaminants | Bloodborne pathogens | Healthcare, labs, janitorial services, research facilities |
| Eye strain | Desk work with inadequate lighting; long periods of focusing on device screens | Office work, labs |
Eye injuries are often avoidable. These tips and guidelines can help prevent eye injuries.
OSHA Standard 29 CFR 1910.133 mandates that affected employees use adequate eye and face protection.4
Other OSHA standards dealing with eye protection include:
29 CFR 1910.252(b)(2)5
Eye protection for welders
Hazard assessment and PPE selection6
Non-mandatory guidelines for general industry
29 CFR 1915.1537 and 29 CFR 1918.1018
Eye and face protection for maritime employees
29 CFR 1926.959 and 29 CFR 1926.10210
PPE for construction employees
Choosing the right type of safety glasses protection — such as ANSI Z87.1-rated, prescription, or wrap-around styles — that are the appropriate size, fit, style, and materials for the specific hazards you face can lower your risk of eye injuries by 90%.11
For example, safety goggles protect against chemical splashes better than regular glasses. And some lens types offer impact resistance, while some coatings protect against certain light wavelengths. Likewise, some frame styles come with side shields, and some even fit snugly over your existing prescription glasses.
The more granular you get with your options, the better protected you are from your individual workplace hazards.
Beyond PPE, you and your employer can implement certain environmental safety measures to lower your risk of injury, such as:
Your employer can also add administrative controls, including:
When you’re shopping for safety glasses, the options can seem overwhelming. Here’s how to find the pair that best suits your needs.
Assess your work environment for hazards, then select the exact features you need, like special filters for radiation or impact-resistant lenses for flying debris.
Certifications like ANSI Z87.1 or EN 166 indicate that the glasses have been tested and certified for the type of protection you need.12,13 We also offer D-rated safety glasses that provide varying protection levels.
In most cases, either polycarbonate or Trivex lenses will serve you well. Trivex provides superior optical clarity and is lighter than polycarbonate, which is a more budget-friendly but still impact-resistant option.
Lens coatings are another feature of safety glasses that you can customize. We offer lens coatings for various purposes, including:
AR (anti-reflective) coating
Eliminates distracting glare
Scratch-resistant coating
Protects the lens against scratches and gouges
UV protection coating
Blocks out damaging UV rays
Anti-fog coating
Prevents fog from impairing your vision
Mirror coatings
Reduces the amount of light that passes through
Blocks out certain types of light, depending on the color
Choosing a style that gives you confidence makes you more likely to wear your glasses regularly.
Safety glasses should fit snugly on your face and remain in place when you move your head. Adjustable features like nose pads and head straps can help customize the fit for comfort.
Remember to check if your glasses fit with your other PPE, like masks, respirators, and helmets.
If you wear prescription glasses, you can have your prescription incorporated into your safety glasses. Even if you have a high prescription, we can combine vision correction with workplace protection. Check out our prescription safety glasses here.
You only get two eyes. No matter your working conditions, protect yourself from workplace eye hazards. There’s no time like the present to assess your current PPE and upgrade to the exact eye protection your job demands.
1. Eye Injuries at Work. “Eye Injuries at Work.” American Academy of Ophthalmology, 22 Feb. 2016, www.aao.org/eye-health/tips-prevention/injuries-work.
2. “Eye and Face Protection – Standards | Occupational Safety and Health Administration.” Osha.gov, 2015, www.osha.gov/eye-face-protection/standards.
3. “Eye and Face Protection – Hazards and Solutions | Occupational Safety and Health Administration.” Www.osha.gov, www.osha.gov/eye-face-protection/hazards-solutions.
4. “1910.133 – Eye and Face Protection. | Occupational Safety and Health Administration.” Osha.gov, 2010, www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1910/1910.133.
5. “Interlinking | Occupational Safety and Health Administration.” Osha.gov, 2025, www.osha.gov/laws-regs/interlinking/standards/1910.252(b)(2). Accessed 15 Oct. 2025.
6. Occupational Safety and Health Administration. “1910 Subpart I App B – Nonmandatory Compliance Guidelines for Hazard Assessment and Personal Protective Equipment Selection | Occupational Safety and Health Administration.” Osha.gov, 2009, www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1910/1910SubpartIAppB.
7. “1915.153 – Eye and Face Protection. | Occupational Safety and Health Administration.” Osha.gov, 2016, www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1915/1915.153.
8. “1918.101 – Eye and Face Protection. | Occupational Safety and Health Administration.” Osha.gov, 2025, www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1918/1918.101. Accessed 15 Oct. 2025.
9. “1926.95 – Criteria for Personal Protective Equipment. | Occupational Safety and Health Administration.” Www.osha.gov, www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1926/1926.95.
10. “1926.102 – Eye and Face Protection. | Occupational Safety and Health Administration.” Www.osha.gov, www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1926/1926.102.
11. AOA. “Protecting Your Eyes at Work.” Aoa.org, 2025, www.aoa.org/healthy-eyes/caring-for-your-eyes/protecting-your-vision.
12. Kelechava, Brad. “ANSI/ISEA Z87.1-2020: Current Standard for Safety Glasses – ANSI Blog.” The ANSI Blog, 20 Apr. 2020, blog.ansi.org/ansi/ansi-isea-z87-1-2020-safety-glasses-eye-protection/.
13. Rx Safety Videos. “Safety Eyewear Standards: ANSI vs. EN166 Explained | RX Safety.” YouTube, 18 Aug. 2023, www.youtube.com/watch?v=9gGCBQuvfKc. Accessed 15 Oct. 2025.
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