Under Regulation 4 of the Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulation 1992, eye protection must be worn when employees are at risk in a hazardous area. Employers must provide personal protective equipment that offers suitable protection to personnel who may be exposed to potential health risks. You can find out more about safety goggles and protective eyewear in our comprehensive safety goggles guide.

Safety goggles protect the eyes and the surrounding area of the face from water, dust, particles, bright light, airborne debris, chemical splashes, smoke, and corrosive liquids, making them applicable for many industries, including:

• Chemistry and research laboratories
• Woodworking industries

Soldering/welding workshops* Aviation and automation manufacture and maintenance

• Construction and building sites

Types of Safety Goggles

There are different types of goggles available: direct ventilation, indirect ventilation and non-vented safety goggles.

• Direct Ventilation - allow the direct flow of air into the goggle. In cases where the hazard is impact only, a direct vented goggle can be used as an appropriate level of protection.
• Indirect Ventilation - provide protection from splash entry by a hooded or covered vent. The vented portion of the goggle is designed so that no direct straight-line passage from the exterior to the interior of the goggle exists and limits or prevents the passage of liquid splashes into the goggle. In cases where chemical splash is a hazard, indirect vented goggles should be selected as appropriate protection.
• Non-Vented Safety Goggles - have no venting of any kind and offer protection against the passage of dust, mist, liquid, and vapours.

Safety Goggle Lenses

Lenses come in different materials such as glass, plastic, acetate, and polycarbonate. Polycarbonate lenses provide the highest level of protection from impact. Some will also offer UV protection, anti-scratch and anti-mist, tinted, or clear lenses. Prescription glasses can be worn under these goggles. For more information on safety goggles please see our guide here.