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Are glasses (prescription) adequate eye protection
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marcus.wood  
#1 Posted : 22 July 2015 11:10:15(UTC)
Rank: New forum user
marcus.wood
Hi, Does anyone know if it's stated whether prescription glasses are adequate eye protection when using machinery that requires eye protection? I face this argument regularly and would like some proof whether it is or isn't safe. Any help would be appreciated. Best wishes, Marcus
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chris.packham  
#2 Posted : 22 July 2015 11:18:12(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
chris.packham
My answer to this would be 'no'. Prescription glasses may not provide adequate protection from flying objects nor do they normally have the wrap-around protection that safety spectacles provide. I wear prescription spectacles and would never rely on them for eye protection (even at home). I doubt whether, if tested, they would confirm to any of the relevant UK standards. Chris
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cres  
#3 Posted : 22 July 2015 11:20:41(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
cres
Hi, I havent got time to go into detail but in short NO. Ordinary glasses are built for every day projectiles hitting the glass but they are not not built to withstand being struck by projectiles sent out at force by machinery. Where as Safety Glasses have. Your person will need correct safety protection if need be you can get safety glasess with the prescription they need added - this is ideal for someone in a role that needs to be in safety glasses all day. However if it is for short periods of time they can put the safety glasess over the top. Providing no gaps that projectiles can get in etc.... There many different designs out there. You will need to look at the indiviuals needs. Etc. Hope that helps sorry cant be longer go to shoot to a meeting. Cres
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PH2  
#4 Posted : 22 July 2015 11:22:48(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
PH2
Ordinary prescription glasses are not suitable for use with machinery which requires "eye protection". These glasses offer very little impact, or chemical splash, resistance. Detailed advice is given in the Approved Code of Practice for Personal ProtectiveEquipment (L25).
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jodieclark1510  
#5 Posted : 22 July 2015 11:25:12(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
jodieclark1510
Can you give a bit more of an idea of what kind of machinery/operation? It depends more on your assessment of the activity I think http://www.hse.gov.uk/my...se110-safety-glasses.htm
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jodieclark1510  
#6 Posted : 22 July 2015 11:28:58(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
jodieclark1510
Getting a bit ahead of myself. I think you need to look at what exactly is going on. if you have enclosed machinery for example or you are not working in an area where projectiles etc are likely to come out of, your risk assessment may not deem it necessary, but as others have said, if there is a chance then your controls have to reflect the risk, which may mean safety glasses. If your assessment and the manufacturers guidelines state you need eye protection then that is what you need. you can buy safety glasses with reinforced prescriptive lenses which gives you the best of both if working on machinery for long periods
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Tigers  
#7 Posted : 22 July 2015 11:42:30(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
Tigers
I know this is American but it does make the point well
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hilary  
#8 Posted : 22 July 2015 11:55:15(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
hilary
No - if the machinery requires or states "eye protection must be worn" then you should be looking at safety eyewear manufactured to EN166F. Normal prescription glasses are not manufactured to this standard.
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Ron Hunter  
#9 Posted : 22 July 2015 12:59:28(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Ron Hunter
Absolutely not. Everyday prescription specs are CE marked as medical devices, not PPE.
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Chris G  
#10 Posted : 23 July 2015 12:44:15(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
Chris G
hilary wrote:
No - if the machinery requires or states "eye protection must be worn" then you should be looking at safety eyewear manufactured to EN166F. Normal prescription glasses are not manufactured to this standard.
I agree with the comment of no about general persciption glasses. However - EN166F may not always be appropriate - depending on the equipment / process where eye protection is mandated EN166 B , A, 3, 4, 5 or 9 may be required.
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Animax01  
#11 Posted : 23 July 2015 16:03:59(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Animax01
Use over glasses as mentioned above, you may have some resistance to this as they can be quite bulky.
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Sandan  
#12 Posted : 30 July 2015 13:29:44(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
Sandan
Absolutely NOT protection - I am currently wearing a pair of 'normal' glasses that have a shard of metal stuck in them from a grinding afternoon - the shard went through my bulky overglasses protection and embedded itself in the left lense!! The protective goggles has a melted hole at the point the shard went through; as my normal glasses are also plastic, I dread to think what would have happened if I had not been wearing the protection. Also means I was not wearing the correct protection (see Chris G (above) for better idea of what to wear and when).
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Bigmac1  
#13 Posted : 31 July 2015 17:12:43(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Bigmac1
Absolutely NO
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