We're attempting to get our workers to think safety first whenever they're on the job. We think we're getting that message home to people by requiring them to wear safety glasses anywhere in a manufacturing building, even if they're standing near a coffee pot engaging in small talk. The right safety eyewear depends upon the type of job being performed. Employees who operate machines for a living need protection from flying particles and dust, welders need protection from sparks, and chemical handlers need protection from splashes. Potential hazards to the eyes arise in almost every industry, but those employees at the highest risk are mechanics, carpenters, plumbers, machine operators and other manufacturers.
Most problems result when the damaging object gets around and under the eyewear.
This can largely be avoided by employees wearing the appropriate style of safety eyewear for their work. All employers should provide proper eyewear. Goggles provide eye protection from hazards coming from above and below as well as from the sides. Face Shields offer full frontal protection, but should only be used in conjunction with safety glasses because they don't sit close enough to the eyes to act as an adequate safeguard on their own. Helmets, primarily used for welding, provide extra head and eye protection from errant sparks.