Sports Excellence

Eye Protection – War and New Fabrication Technologies Dictated the Growth of Safety Lens Industry

Your eyes are very important so protecting them from injury at work, home or play is high priority for most people. Eye Protection is the term we use the most in our society when referring to eye safety. In modern times there are many different types of lenses available to us in the safety eye wear industry. As a consumer it makes it easy to find what you looking for a particular type of lens especially anyone having to purchase safety lenses.

Eye Protection sole purpose is to protect people’s eyes while at work, home or play. As time marches forward for an individual the responsibility of protecting their eyes falls into the hands of the individual.

This covers all aspects of safety lenses; from wearing a clear plastic pair of safety goggles (this is the type that slips over your existing glasses). Compare this to very elaborate designer style lenses and frames having bifocal reading capabilities incorporated into them. This is accomplished using a polycarbonate lens material.

The whole idea and invention of safety eye wear is given create to an African American gentleman named Mr. P. Johnson. He first submitted his patent to the U.S. Patent office on November 2, 1880. At the time of the application they were called; Spectacles. In present time; we know them as; Eye Protection Safety Glasses. The glass lens evolution started as a simple glass shield held in place with wire frame.

Here are a few threats designers have to keep in mind. The most obvious is; light followed by; heat, various particles (micro and macro sizes), metal chips or shavings, various lights waves from the sun including ultraviolet and radiation. Some additional threats we often forget about are; water (sea and fresh), blasting powder from fire arms and welding.

When you break it all down the elements found in our home and play environments are numerous. We can get injured from a variety of things, least being one of our body parts or another person’s (elbow, knee, foot, etc). While playing sports we have to keep in mind, even the equipment we use or wear can be a threat; ball, puck, stick. I’ve seen jockey’s while racing on their horse get dirt or grass in their eyes. Even the race winner has to be attentive to the flashing of the cameras.

Safety Spectacles (that’s what they were first called) got their first large scale development growth during World War I. The military discovered a variety of practical applications and uses. Gas mask manufacturers developed the oval shaped laminated shield to allow a larger viewing area and protection from certain chemicals. After the war the automobile industry started using similar materials for the wind shield.

The next big growth period for this industry came during World War II and the years after. The term Spectacle began being replaces with; Safety Glasses. While new fabrication technologies were being used in the manufacturing plants. The industry had to keep up by making the frames and lenses lighter and stronger. They had to have the ability to withstand a variety of new flying objects. For example; the metal chipper, grinders, metal shaping tools, machining, tooling and last but not least welding. These were but a handful of the new fabrication technology that emerged from the war.

New types of glasses had to be designed as the demand to cover the wide spectrum of uses for industry, home and sporting events. In today’s workforce; the working environments vary from room to room, office to office, building to building making the combinations very confusing for workers. Most offices and plants have standing operating procedures for all the different possibilities. As employers and insurance companies play a big role in wanting to keep employees safe. Safety glasses are being required to be worn in more and more areas of our work, home and play environments.

Here are some statistics on employers requiring employees to wear safety eye wear; 50% in manufacturing industry, 20% in construction industry and 30% in the service industry. While employers can’t require an employee to wear safety lenses at home or play. I think it’s a great self designating rule for anyone working at home or out playing to consider wearing safety glasses.

Eye injuries are more prevalent working around the home, usually in do-it-yourself projects. Today there two main reasons why people don’t wear protective eye wear; style and comfort.

There are specifications and standards set by; American National Standards Institute (ANSI). These specifications and standards are maintained by The National Impact Safety Standards organization developed to help business, industries and individuals know what types of lenses are needed for any particular work, home or play environment.

Finally just so you know; ANSI has issued two impact standards for safety eye wear. The first standard is called the Basic. This Basic impact standard is for minimal impact conditions. It requires a one inch metal ball dropped onto the lens without it cracking, breaking or shattering. The second is for High impact uses. Usually the lenses are made of some form of a polycarbonate material. It too must pass the test of a half inch metal ball impacting the lens and not cracking, breaking or shattering.

The last word and side note about wearing eye protection. The Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) issued statements to the fact that 90% of all eye injuries could have been avoided and were 100% preventable.

Author’s Bio:

Mikaela J Hilton is a professional business person who over the last few years has been doing niche product reviews. You can check out her latest web site
Eye Protection Safety Glasses
where she provides more information and unbiased reviews on all different types of Safety Glasses.

She specializes at finding unique products for consumers and great at translating product technical jargon into plain English. Sometimes; she even offers suggestions on who has the best prices, product delivery, warranty and return policies on the internet.

This article offers a history of the development of safety lenses specifications and standards over the last 100 years and on her web site you’ll find more helpful facts about
Eye Protection
and other types of safety eye wear like; Prescription Safety Glasses, Safety Glasses, Laser Safety Glasses, Bifocal Safety Glasses, Safety Sunglasses, Safety Reading Glasses, and much more!

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