Hi Louise,

What is the risk? How many eye or face injuries or near misses have you had?

Questions as I can't, on face value see the requirement.

Changing tack, does the operation produce flying dust or debris? If so I would suggest goggle type for all round protection. Most safety eye wear companies produce that type. Bolle (other manufacturers exist) is one which converts from glasses to goggles by the use of a headstrap, not cheap but depends how many you are going to be using.

Ask your supplier for some trial sets - most will supply a reasonable selection.

Regards,
S

Louise
Try working with resurfacing materials especially on a hot day [ it is a very hard job] and thereafter evaluate your mandatory eye policy and you will probably find that there is no product on the market that is 'wearable' in such conditions for many of the working activities that go together to lay tarmac - this may be one case where common sense overrides mandatory policies; policies that should be risk assessment lead

Great info from other posted comments

Additionally if the RA indicates that there is no real risk we should not be using such eye protection and if we go on to force the blanket policy this could be seen as another case of H&S gone mad unless the policy makers publicly state that this is a policy thing and not a H&S thing; which I doubt that they will - I say go with the outcome of a suitable and sufficient R-Assessment

Some years ago the contractors doing black top work were given a special exemption from wearing light eye protection by the client because of the risk of glasses steaming up. Clearly, if the risks are greater than the PPE is designed to eliminate/reduce, then it should no be used. If only all clients were that sensible...