Why Goggles
Eye injuries in the shop are often quick and unexpected: a chip from a chisel, a splash of finish, a gust of fine dust carried up by a sander, a wire end that springs back. Goggles are designed to seal around the eyes so that particles and liquids coming from above, below and the sides have a harder time getting in. For many tasks, they are the most complete form of eye protection you can wear short of a full face shield.
This article covers choosing, fitting and caring for goggles, and how they compare with other eyewear. General information only; follow the manufacturer’s instructions and any tool manual.
Impact Ratings and Markings
Not all eyewear sold as “safety” gear is equal. Look for markings printed or molded on the frame and lens that show the product was made to a recognized standard. In the United States, the common standard for occupational and educational eye protection is ANSI Z87.1, and a “+” mark is generally used to show a high-impact rating. Other countries have their own equivalents.
A few practical points:
- Ordinary fashion sunglasses and reading glasses are not impact-rated, and they may shatter into the eye.
- Check both the frame and the lens for markings. Some goggles have markings only on the strap or only on the lens.
- Markings indicate particular protections, and the maker’s description tells you which. Some goggles are rated for impact only, while others address splash, dust or both. Choose by hazard.
- If you cannot find any marking, assume it is not rated for workshop use.
Types of Goggles
- Direct-vent goggles have open holes that allow airflow. They fog less but are not meant for liquid splash or very fine dust, because the vents let particles in.
- Indirect-vent goggles have baffled or covered vents that let air through but block most direct splashes. These are commonly chosen for finishing, chemical handling and general shop work where splash is possible.
- Non-vented goggles seal fully, giving the best splash and dust barrier but the most trouble with fogging.
- Over-glasses goggles are sized to fit over prescription eyeglasses, which many people who wear glasses find the simplest option.
- Prescription safety eyewear is another alternative, made by eye care professionals.
Fit
The best goggle is the one that sits comfortably against your face with a continuous seal and does not move around. Check the following:
- The edge or gasket should touch the skin all the way around, with no gaps at the temples or the nose.
- The strap should hold the goggles in place without pressing hard, and be adjustable.
- Your vision should be clear and unobstructed when you look up, down and sideways.
- They should be compatible with the rest of your gear: earmuffs, a respirator and a hard hat may interfere with the strap or seal.
- Face shape matters. Narrow-profile and wide-profile options exist, and some come in smaller sizes. A poor fit that lets debris in defeats the point.
If you wear a respirator, put it on first, then add the goggles so the seal is not broken by the mask edge.
Dealing with Fog
Fogging is the reason many people stop wearing goggles, so it is worth addressing.
- Choose goggles marked as anti-fog, although coatings wear with cleaning.
- Indirect vents or small vent openings allow more airflow, but check the splash ratings you need.
- Wipe lenses with a cleaner made for anti-fog eyewear, and avoid rubbing coatings off with rough cloths.
- Allow some space between your face and the lens, as a looser fit increases airflow but a snug seal helps against debris, so there is a trade-off.
- Take breaks in clean air, and keep sweat off by wearing a headband.
- Respirators can push warm breath upward, so a well-fitting mask with a nose seal reduces this.
No approach is perfect, and in humid conditions you may need a different style altogether.
Goggles, Glasses and Face Shields
Safety glasses are lighter and more comfortable and are usually enough for tasks with a small risk of debris, such as measuring, light drilling or hammering. Many models have side shields. The trade-off is that gaps at the top and bottom let some dust and splash through.
Goggles give a closer seal and are better when dust, splash or particles may come from any angle: sanding overhead, grinding, using chemicals, cleaning with compressed air, or working under a vehicle.
Face shields protect the whole face and are used over glasses or goggles, not instead of them, for work that throws larger or hotter debris, such as grinding, chipping or turning. A shield alone leaves gaps below and behind it for small particles.
For welding or cutting with an arc, standard goggles are not shaded and are not enough; a proper welding helmet or rated shade is required.
Lens Care
- Rinse off dust before wiping. Dry-wiping gritty lenses scratches them.
- Use lens cleaner or mild soap and water and a soft, clean cloth, and avoid solvents unless the maker approves them.
- Store goggles in a case or on a hook, lens up, away from the bench and sunlight.
- Wash the strap and gasket occasionally, since sweat and dust build up.
- Replace goggles when the lens is cracked, deeply scratched, cloudy or yellowed, when the strap is stretched, or after a heavy impact. Even if damage is not visible, a lens that has taken a hard hit may be compromised.
Making It a Habit
Keep a pair at each workstation, hung near the door, and keep a spare for visitors. Put them on before the tool is plugged in. If you wear them every time, they become as ordinary as seat belts. If an eye injury does occur, stop work, do not rub the eye, and seek medical help; flushing with clean water or sterile saline is a common first step for chemical splashes, but follow the product’s safety data sheet and medical advice.