<PAGE>   1
                                                                   Exhibit 10(l)


                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
                              --------------------


     THIS AGREEMENT made as of this 1st day of January, 1996, by and between
Philip M. Johnson ("Executive") and Uvex Safety, Inc., a corporation organized
under the law of Rhode Island (the "Company").

                              W I T N E S S E T H :
                              - - - - - - - - - -

     WHEREAS, Executive is now Vice President R & D, Coating and Quality
Assurance of the Company;

     WHEREAS, the Company wishes to secure the services of Executive as its Vice
President R & D, Coating and Quality Assurance for the period provided in this
Agreement; and

     WHEREAS, Executive is willing to enter into this Agreement for such period
and on the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth;

     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises herein contained,
the Company and Executive hereby agree as follows:

     1. EMPLOYMENT. During the period of employment set forth in Section 2 of
this Agreement, the Company shall employ Executive, and Executive shall serve as
its Vice President R & D, Coating and Quality Assurance of the Company.
Executive agrees to faithfully perform the duties assigned to him to the best of
his ability and, except for vacations and periods of temporary illness, to
devote his full time and attention to the Company's business. Ancillary
employment such as writing, teaching or lecturing as well as the acceptance of
honorific titles may be undertaken by the Executive only with the approval of
the Chief Executive Officer of the Company (the "CEO"). Executive also agrees
that he will not engage in any other business activities without the prior
approval of the CEO. Executive may only serve as an officer, director, trustee
or committee member, or in any similar position, of a reasonable number (maximum
two) trade associations and religious, charitable, educational, civic or other
non-business organizations, subject to the approval of the CEO.

     2. PERIOD OF EMPLOYMENT. The Executive's employment under this Agreement
shall initially cover the period January 1, 1996 to December 31, 1998. On
January 1, 1999, and at the end of each three year period thereafter, the period
of employment shall be automatically extended, without further action by either
party, for a three year period beginning on January 1st unless six months prior
to any such January 1st either party shall have served written notice on the
other of its intention that the period of employment shall expire on December
31, 1998 or December 31st of the third year of any three-year period.

       If either party notifies the other party that it shall not extend the
period of employment, the Company may, at its option, decide that the Executive
shall take a leave-of-absence for part or

<PAGE>   2

the total of the six months remaining time of his employment, continuing to
receive all compensation as if actively working. If either party chooses not to
renew this Agreement, such employment shall terminate on December 31 of the then
current year.

     3. TERMINATION. The period of employment shall be terminated upon the first
to occur of the following:

      (i) The expiration of the period of employment pursuant to Section 2 of
          this Agreement.

     (ii) The Executive's death.

    (iii) The Executive becoming permanently disabled. Permanent disability
          shall mean physical or mental incapacity of a nature which prevents
          Executive from performing his duties under this Agreement for a period
          of more than six months in any twelve month period.

     (iv) The Executive's employment being terminated by the Company for cause.
          Termination for cause shall mean termination by action of the Board of
          Directors of the Company because of the willful failure of Executive
          to perform his duties and obligations under this Agreement or fails to
          execute in a reasonable and responsible manner the policies of the
          Company or gross negligence in the performance of his duties under
          this Agreement or the commission by Executive of a felony.

       4.  COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS.
           -------------------------

     (a) During the Employment Period, the Executive shall receive regular
compensation (the "Base Salary") at the initial rate per annum of One Hundred
Thousand Dollars ($100,000.00) per annum for the period January 1, 1996 through
December 31, 1996. The Base Salary shall be payable in arrears less the usual
payroll deductions at the same times and in the same manner as salaries paid to
other employees. The Executive shall participate in any wage increases
applicable generally to the Company's salaried employees. The Base Salary
prevailing at any time shall be reviewed annually for a possible increase on
January 1 of each year beginning in 1997.

     (b) In addition to the Base Salary, the Executive shall be entitled to
receive annual incentive compensation payments ("Incentive Compensation"). The
bonus for the period January 1, 1996 through December 31, 1996 shall be
determined pursuant the Company's 1996 Incentive Compensation Plan adopted by
the Compensation Committee of Bacou USA, Inc., the basis for which shall be
communicated to the Executive prior to the commencement of the year to which it
relates, except in the case of 1996, which shall be communicated by June 30,
1996.

       (c) Incentive Compensation shall be paid by the Company for the prior
fiscal year within ten (10) days after a decision is made by the Board of
Directors of the Company as to the amount

                                       2
<PAGE>   3

of such Incentive Compensation, but in any event no later than the earlier of
the annual meeting of the Board of Directors of the Company or March 31.

     (d) The Executive shall be entitled to participate in any stock option plan
which Bacou USA, Inc. may adopt for the Company.

     (e) The Executive shall be entitled to participate in all savings, thrift,
retirement or pension, short term and long term disability, health and accident,
Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Major Medical or other hospitalization, holiday,
vacation, and other fringe benefit programs generally available to senior
executives of the Company in accordance with and subject to the terms and
conditions of such programs.

     (f) In addition, the Executive shall be entitled to receive the following
benefits:

          (i) The Executive will continue to have the use of a Company car,
subject to the Company's Executive Automobile Policy.

          (ii) The Executive shall be entitled to vacation pursuant to the
Company's Executive Vacation Policy. For 1996, the Executive shall be entitled
to fifteen (15) working days of vacation. Vacation days will be taken at a time
convenient for both the Executive and the Company. To the extent the Executive
does not take all vacation days the remaining days will be carried forward for
an unlimited period or be paid to the Executive at the level of his Base Salary
valid for the fiscal year in which vacation days are not taken.

          (iii) When traveling on Company business, the Executive will be
provided coach-class airfare on domestic trips; business class airfare will be
provided on international trips.

          (iv) The Executive is authorized to incur reasonable expenses in
connection with and for the promotion of the business of the Company, including
expenses for meals and lodging, entertainment, and similar items as required
from time to time by the Executive's duties. The Company shall reimburse the
Executive for all such expenses upon the presentation of an account therefor,
together with appropriate supporting documentation.

     5. LIMITATIONS ON AUTHORITY. Except as otherwise provided herein, approval
by the CEO must be obtained prior to the Executive taking any of the following
actions on behalf of the Company or any of its affiliates:

          (a)       Acquisition or disposition of real property or any rights
                    deriving therefrom, or changing title in any such real
                    property.

          (b)       Making unplanned capital expenditures or any commitment
                    therefore;

          (c)       Borrowing or guaranteeing any borrowings from or on behalf
                    of any party, or altering the terms of any loan agreements
                    for such borrowings except for

                                       3
<PAGE>   4

                    any such loans or borrowings as shall be agreed upon by the
                    Board of Directors of the Company;

          (d)       Hiring or terminating salaried personnel;

          (e)       Granting retirement benefits or other non-earned income to
                    any individual which is not available to all employees;

          (f)       Modification of the pension plan or other benefit plan,
                    e.g., health insurance;

          (g)       Acquiring the assets or shares of another company or
                    partnership;

          (h)       Acquiring or disposing of the assets or shares of the
                    Company or any of its affiliates;

          (i)       Entering into or terminating agreements of any kind or
                    nature with a monthly financial obligation in excess of U.S.
                    $3,000 for more than six (6) months;

          (j)       Making basic changes in the administration, organization,
                    production, and distribution of the Company or any of its
                    affiliates, as well as closing or curtailing the functions
                    of the Company or any of its affiliates;

          (k)       Filing any lawsuit;

          (l)       Entering into any transaction on behalf of the Company or
                    its affiliates which is not in the usual course of its
                    business;

          (m)       Adoption or modification of the annual budget.

     Notwithstanding the foregoing, approval is not required for any action
provided for in the applicable annual budget or annual plan of the Company and
its affiliates. In addition, should the CEO be unavailable, if an emergency
arises which requires the Executive to take immediate action in which approval
as set forth in this Section would otherwise be required, the Executive is no
longer bound by the limitations described above and is authorized to make a
decision in the best interests of the Company. The Executive will immediately
inform the CEO of any such decisions made by him.

     6. NON-DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION. It is understood that the business of the
Company and its affiliates is of a confidential nature. During the period of the
Executive's employment with the Company, the Executive may have received and/or
may secure confidential information concerning the Company or any of the
Company's affiliates or subsidiaries which, if known to competitors thereof,
would damage the Company or its said affiliates or subsidiaries. The Executive
agrees that during and after the term of this Agreement he will not (except as

                                       4

<PAGE>   5

authorized by the Company or in the proper performance of his duties or except
as ordered by a court or other body of competent jurisdiction or as otherwise
required by law), directly or indirectly, divulge, disclose or appropriate to
his own use, or to the use of any third party, any secret, proprietary or
confidential information or knowledge obtained by him during the term hereof
concerning such confidential matters of the Company or its subsidiaries or
affiliates, including, but not limited to, information pertaining to trade
secrets, systems, manuals, confidential reports, methods, processes, designs,
equipment lists, operating procedures, equipment and methods used and preferred
by the Company's customers. Upon termination of this Agreement, the Executive
shall promptly deliver to the Company all materials of a secret or confidential
nature relating to the business of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or
affiliates which are, directly or indirectly, in the possession or under the
control of the Executive. The provisions of this paragraph shall continue to
apply after the Executive ceases to be employed by the Company for a period of
three (3) years except in respect of any information or knowledge disclosed to
the public, other than through an unauthorized disclosure by the Executive.

     7. TRADE SECRETS. The Executive covenants that he shall, while employed by
the Company, assign, transfer, and set over to the Company or its designee all
right, title and interest in and to all trade secrets, secret processes,
inventions, improvements, patents, patent applications, trademarks, trademark
applications, copyrights, copyright registrations, discoveries and/or other
developments (hereinafter "Inventions") which he may, thereafter, alone or in
conjunction with others, during or outside normal working hours, conceive, make,
acquire or suggest at any time which relate to the products, processes, work,
research, or other activities of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or
affiliates. Any and all Inventions which are of a proprietary nature and which
the Executive may conceive, may acquire or suggest, either alone or in
conjunction with others, during his employment with the Company (whether during
or outside normal working hours) relating to or in any way pertaining to or
connected with the Company's business, shall be the sole and exclusive property
of the Company or its designee and the Executive, whenever requested to do so by
the Company, shall, without further compensation or consideration properly
execute any and all applications, assignments or other documents which the
Company or its designee shall deem necessary in order to apply for and obtain
Letters Patent of the United States and/or comparable rights afforded by foreign
countries for the Inventions, or in order to assign and convey to the Company or
its designee the sole and exclusive right, title and interest in and to the
Inventions. This obligation shall continue beyond the termination of this
Agreement with respect to Inventions conceived or made by the Executive during
the term of his employment by the Company, and shall be binding upon his
assigns, executors, administrators, and other legal representatives.

     8. NON-COMPETITION. (a) During the term of this Agreement or any renewal
thereof and, at the Company's option for a period of up to one year thereafter,
should the Executive's contract be terminated or not be renewed, the Executive
agrees that he will not within the geographical area of the United States,
engage, either directly or indirectly, individually or as an owner, partner,
joint venturer, employee, officer, director, stockholder, consultant,
independent contractor or lender of or to any corporation, holding company or
other business entity which is in a business similar to that of the Company or
any of its affiliates. In the event that the Company chooses to exercise its
option to prevent the Executive from competing with the Company

                                       5

<PAGE>   6
following termination or non-renewal of his employment, the Company shall notify
the Executive in writing within two (2) weeks following his last day of
employment or within two (2) weeks of notice by the Company of its decision that
the Executive shall take a leave-of-absence, in either case specifying the
period of up to one year following termination, resignation, or non-renewal of
employment during which such competitive activity shall be prohibited. In the
event the Company exercises its option, the Company shall continue to pay
Executive his Base Salary at the time of termination, resignation or non-renewal
for the period during which the Executive is prohibited from competition with
the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Executive (as hereinbefore
described in Section 2(d)) may own five (5%) percent of the securities of any
business in competition with the business of the Company or any of its
affiliates, which securities are regularly traded on a public exchange, provided
that any such ownership shall not result in the Executive becoming a record or
beneficial owner at any time of more than five (5%) percent of equity securities
of said business entity.

     (b) The Executive shall not during the term of his Employment under this
Agreement or any renewal thereof, and for a period of one (1) year thereafter,
employ, retain or arrange to have any other person or entity employ or retain
any person who was employed by the Company or any of its affiliated companies
having an annual compensation of at least U.S. $50,000 per annum during the term
of this Agreement or any renewal thereof.

     (c) If any provision of this Section is held to be unenforceable because of
the scope, duration or area of its applicability or otherwise, the legal entity
making that determination will have the power to modify the scope, duration or
area, or all of them, and the provision will then apply in its modified form.

     9. PROPERTY. All letters, memoranda, documents, business notes (including
all copies thereof) and other information contained on any other computer media
including computer disks and hard drives of the Executive in any manner relating
to the duties of Executive under this agreement are the property of the Company.

     10. NOTICES. Any notice to be given to Executive by the Company under this
Agreement shall be deemed to have been given by the Company and received by
Executive if and when it is hand delivered to Executive, or it is sent by
registered or certified mail to Executive at his home address or transmitted by
facsimile transmission ("FAX"). Any notice to be given to the Company by
Executive under this Agreement shall be deemed to have been given by Executive
and received by the Company if and when it is hand delivered by Executive to the
CEO or his designee, it is sent by registered or certified mail, addressed to
the CEO of the Company by FAX confirmed in writing mailed to the CEO of the
Company.

     11. FULL AND COMPLETE AGREEMENT; AMENDMENT. This Agreement constitutes the
full and complete understanding and agreement of the parties and supersedes all
prior understandings and agreements. This Agreement may be modified only by a
written instrument executed by both parties.

                                       6

<PAGE>   7

     12. CONSTRUCTION. This Agreement shall be construed under the laws of the
State of Rhode Island.

     13. ARBITRATION. Notwithstanding the fact that the parties shall be
entitled to equitable relief in order to enforce certain provisions hereunder
(e.g., temporary restraining orders or injunctive relief), any dispute,
controversy or claim arising out of or relating to this Agreement, or the breach
hereof, shall be settled by arbitration in accordance with the "Commercial
Arbitration Rules" of the American Arbitration Association in effect on the date
of this Agreement, except as varied below. The site of any such arbitration
shall be Providence, Rhode Island and any award shall be deemed to be a
Providence, Rhode Island award. There shall be a single arbitrator who shall be
admitted to practice law in Rhode Island, with no less than ten (10) years
experience in the handling of commercial or corporate matters or disputes. The
arbitrator shall render a written decision stating his reasons therefor, and
shall render an award within six (6) months of the request for arbitration, and
such award shall be final and binding upon both parties. Judgment upon the award
rendered by the arbitrator may be entered in any court of competent jurisdiction
in any state of the United States or country or application may be made to such
court for a judicial acceptance of the award and an enforcement, as the law of
such jurisdiction may require or allow. The substantive law to be applied to any
case determined pursuant to this Section 13 is that of State of Rhode Island.
The expense of arbitration shall be borne by the respective parties except to
the extent that the arbitrators shall determine that the entire expense shall be
borne by a single party.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company and the Executive have duly executed this
Agreement as of the day and year first written above.


UVEX SAFETY, INC.


By: /s/ W. Stepan
    -------------------------------------
    Walter Stepan
    President and Chief Executive Officer



EXECUTIVE:

       /s/ Philip M. Johnson
---------------------------------------
          [Philip M. Johnson]