The Law

Eye and Face Protection in hazardous environments is a requirement under Regulation 4 of the Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992. Under these regulations, employers are required to provide suitable PPE to employers who may be exposed to conditions where their health and safety are at risk.

The Hazards

Eye related hazards can come from many sources. The standards cover all the likely industrial hazards found in the workplace. The most common hazards to be encountered are impact, chemical splash, sprays or mists, molten metal splash, dusts, gases and welding arc.

PPE Surveys and Product Training

In order to select the correct PPE for the job, a process of risk assessment, job survey and product training will be required. Our Area Sales Managers are on hand to assist you in this process. Feel free to call on their extensive product knowledge and industry experience to help you in your assessments.

Risk Categories

The PPE regulations classify products and hazards into three Risk Categories, Minimal (Category I), Intermediate (Category II) and High Risk (Category III). All eye protectors, including prescrition, are in Category II. The only exceptions being high temperatures, risk from molten metal, ironising radiations or electrical hazards. These exceptions are in Category III.

Markings On Eye Protection

BS EN 166

BS 2092

Frame

Lens

Frame

Lens

Optical Class

1

2

3

Increased Robustness

S

Low Energy Impact

F

F

2

2

Grade 2 Impact

Medium Energy Impact

B

B

1

1

Grade 1 Impact

High Energy Impact

A

A

Liquid Droplets

3

3

C

Liquid Droplets

Large Dust Particles

4

D

Dust

Gas/Fine Dust Particles

5

G

Gas

Short Circuit Electric Arc

8

Molten Metal/Hot Solids

9

9

M

M

Molten Metal/Hot Solids

Resistance to Fogging

N

Resistance to surface Damage

K

Energy

Speed m/s

Speed Mph

Type of Eye Protector

BS Grade

EN Grade

Spectacles

Goggles

Faceshields

Low

45

101

2

F

Medium

120

270

N/A

1

B

High

195

439

N/A

N/A

N/A

A