Eye protection
Devices of eye protection are all forms of protective equipment that cover at least the surroundings of the eye. Their known forms are goggles – in designs with or without side flaps – that afford protection against
- mechanical harms (impacts, molten metals, hot and solid substances, drops, metal splashes, optical radiation, dust and powders)
- optical radiation harms (ultraviolet, visible, infrared)
- chemical harms (detrimental effects of chemicals, gases, vapours).
| Type of radiation | Ultraviolet (UV-C) | Visible (VIS) | Infrared (IR) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bandwidth | 180-280 nm | 380-780 nm | 780nm-1 mm |
| Medium of replacement | artifical source | excessively strong sun | |
| Scale value | 2/3 | 4 | |
| Shade value | 1,2-5 | 1,2-5 |
Criteria of the selection for devices of eye protection:
- CE marking, permission
- shape of the face and any defect of the vision of the user to be considered
- light weight
- skin-friendly properties (nickel allergy)
- broad field of vision
- adjustability and inclination of the length of the arm (tilt angle)
- replaceability of the fields of vision
The fields of vision can be
- polycarbonate: light weight, very strong material, break resistance, unlimited design potentials, option to apply coating)
- glass: good scratch resistance
- cellulose acetate: protection against chemicals
- hardened glass: scratch-resistant surface, spark-resistance, recommended for welding
- multilayer composite: a plastic layer in between two glass layers, thicker outer layer and thinner inner glass layer
Devices of eye protection have to be affixed with clearly visible markings even on permanent, assembled, complete equipment. The label has to specify the following information:
- 2-1,2 : Degree of protection
- W : Indication of the manufacturer
- 1 : Optical class
- F : Mechanic strength (45 m/s)
- K : Scratch resistance
- N : Anti-fog property
- DIN : DIN test marking
- CE : CE conformity
When selecting the colour of the field of vision, the following aspects need to be considered:
| Colour of the field of vision | Class of protection | Fields of the application of the goggles |
|---|---|---|
| Water clear | 2-1,2 | General use, UV protection |
| Yellow | 2-1,2 | contrast enhancement (fog), UV protection |
| UV green | 3-1,7 | at workplaces exposed to the threat of UV radiation |
| Grey | 5-2,5 | Outdoor application, protection against flashing lights |
| Brown SCT 400 | 5-2,5 | Outdoor works, truck drivers |
| Silvered | 5-1,7 | Indoor and outdoor application, trolley drivers |
| Green welding filter | 5-1,7 | For autogenous welding, UV and IR radiation, as well as protection against flashing lights |
Major standards pertaining to personal protective equipment for eye protection:
| Number of the standard | Designation of the standard |
|---|---|
| MSZ EN 166 | Personal eye-protecting equipment. Requirements |
| MSZ EN 167 | Personal eye-protecting equipment. Optical test methods |
| MSZ EN 169 | Personal eye-protecting equipment. Filters for welding and related procedures. Transmission requirements and recommended use |
| MSZ EN 170 | Personal eye-protecting equipment. Ultraviolet filters. Transmission requirements and recommended use |
| MSZ EN 171 | Personal eye-protecting equipment. Infrared filters. Transmission requirements and recommended use |
| MSZ EN 172 | Personal eye-protecting equipment. Sunlight filters for industrial use |