Industrial prescription protective eyewear
Health and Safety at Work Regulations require the employer to identify and evaluate workplace risk. This is commonly undertaken by the company safety officer. The reason for this is that in order to do a comprehensive assessment, someone with access to, and familiarity with, the working environment is essential. This effectively means that a practice-based optician is not the appropriate person to assess such risk, though they may well dispense the required protective eyewear. The net result of this is that the patient will come into the practice with a ‘Company’ order form. This will stipulate the type of lens and lens material required. The frame may also be specified though, frequently, a choice is offered to the patient from a stipulated range. On occasions, however, a self-employed tradesman may come into the practice requiring protective eyewear. In this instance the optician should perform a detailed assessment of the patient’s requirements and the type of hazards that are associated with their day to day work. If it is feasible contact a local company involved in the same, or very similar, work type.
On 1st January 1993, in line with a European Directive, the Government of the UK introduced new legislation on Health and Safety at Work. These effectively replaced the old UK legislation of 10th April 1947.
Six areas were considered within the legislation, one of which was personal protective equipment (PPE). The regulations were published under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 as Personal Protective Equipment (European Community EC Directive) Regulations 1992 SI 1992/3139. Eye protection was included in these regulations. The 1993 regulations apply to all workers in the UK, with the exception for crews of sea-going ships (there is also some debate about the protection afforded to military personnel).
As a result of the publication of these rules all previous legislation was completely revoked. The regulations relating to eye protection are now taken as European Normals ie EN standards.
Six areas were considered within the legislation, one of which was personal protective equipment (PPE). The regulations were published under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 as Personal Protective Equipment (European Community EC Directive) Regulations 1992 SI 1992/3139. Eye protection was included in these regulations. The 1993 regulations apply to all workers in the UK, with the exception for crews of sea-going ships (there is also some debate about the protection afforded to military personnel).
As a result of the publication of these rules all previous legislation was completely revoked. The regulations relating to eye protection are now taken as European Normals ie EN standards.
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British, European and International standards are:
• BS EN 165: Personal eye protection: Vocabulary. Now withdrawn and replaced by BS EN ISO 4007:2012. Personal protective equipment - Eye and face protection - Vocabulary • BS EN 166:2002. Personal eye protection: Specifications • BS EN 167:2002. Personal eye protection: Optical test methods • BS EN 168:2002. Personal eye protection: Non optical test methods • BS EN 169:1992. Personal eye protection: Filters for welding and related techniques: Transmittance requirements and recommended use • BS EN 170:2002. Personal eye protection: Ultraviolet filters: Transmittance requirements and recommended use • BS EN 171:2002. Personal eye protection: Infrared filters: Transmittance requirements and recommended use |
• BS EN 172:1995. Specification for sunglare filters used in personal eye protectors for industrial use
• BS EN 379:2003 + A1: 2009. Personal eye protection. Automatic welding filters. Welding filters with transmittance variable by time and zone • BS EN 1731:2006. Personal eye protection. Mesh eye and face protectors • BS EN 14458:2004. Personal eyeequipment. Faceshields and visors for use with firefighters' and high performance industrial safety helmets used by firefighters, ambulance and emergency services. • BS EN 174:2001. Ski goggles for downhill skiing. • BS 7930-1:1998. Eye protectors for racket sports. Squash Oculars. • BS EN 1836:2005 + A1:2007: Sunglasses and glare. Filters for general use (Plano Powers). |
Markings required on the lenses of supplied protective spectacles
N..................... Manufacturer’s mark
1...................... Optical class
S or F .............. Impact grade
There will probably also be a Kitemark, which in not a regulatory requirement, but a manufacturer’s stamp of quality. The Kitemark is considered the world's premier symbol of trust, integrity and quality. It indicates that manufacturers carrying the mark have satisfied the most rigorous quality process. The scheme is developed by using BS, EN, ISO or Trade Association specification.
Lens
Marks: The manufacturer’s mark, which is useful as the source is traceable in the event problems, (plus Kitemark), 1 - F or 1- S. In a number of working environments it may well be possible to only provide appropriate over-goggles, or side shields, to spectacle wearers, but such steps should only be regarded as temporary measures. It should be noted that these measures are not suitable for prolonged or regular use.
Frames
These may be manufactured in metal (often nickel alloys - plated) and plastic (commonly cellulose acetate, polymamide or polycarbonate). Functionality and use dictates their design, but a range of colours and styles are readily available from the appropriate suppliers. Frames must also carry the appropriate markings, which are:
Marks: Manufacturer’s mark, again offering traceability (plus Kitemark, not a requirement).
EN 166........... Relevant standard.
F..................... If the frame claims to meet low energy impact (no markings are required for Grade S increased robustness).
CE mark ....... Products must meet legalrequirements before they can be sold within the European Community, and must carry CE marking. CE marking attached to a product is a manufacturer's claim that it meets all the requirements of European legislation.
1...................... Optical class
S or F .............. Impact grade
There will probably also be a Kitemark, which in not a regulatory requirement, but a manufacturer’s stamp of quality. The Kitemark is considered the world's premier symbol of trust, integrity and quality. It indicates that manufacturers carrying the mark have satisfied the most rigorous quality process. The scheme is developed by using BS, EN, ISO or Trade Association specification.
Lens
Marks: The manufacturer’s mark, which is useful as the source is traceable in the event problems, (plus Kitemark), 1 - F or 1- S. In a number of working environments it may well be possible to only provide appropriate over-goggles, or side shields, to spectacle wearers, but such steps should only be regarded as temporary measures. It should be noted that these measures are not suitable for prolonged or regular use.
Frames
These may be manufactured in metal (often nickel alloys - plated) and plastic (commonly cellulose acetate, polymamide or polycarbonate). Functionality and use dictates their design, but a range of colours and styles are readily available from the appropriate suppliers. Frames must also carry the appropriate markings, which are:
Marks: Manufacturer’s mark, again offering traceability (plus Kitemark, not a requirement).
EN 166........... Relevant standard.
F..................... If the frame claims to meet low energy impact (no markings are required for Grade S increased robustness).
CE mark ....... Products must meet legalrequirements before they can be sold within the European Community, and must carry CE marking. CE marking attached to a product is a manufacturer's claim that it meets all the requirements of European legislation.
All protective eyewear in the UK must conform to the European standard EN 166:2002, which has several differing levels of impact resistance, indicated by symbols. The range of symbols used in lens type marking are:
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When medium energy impact resistance, denoted as EN 166 B, is required or, there is a requirement for protection against electrical arcs, welding materials and corrosive materials, prescription spectacles should not be supplied and goggles, or visors, should be considered, which must carry the appropriate EN specifications.
Grade B test: 6mm, 0.86g steel ball travelling at 120 metres per second. When high energy impact resistance (EN 166 A) is required visors or face shields must be supplied. Grade A test: 6mm 0.86g steel ball travelling at 190 metres per second. |
Low energy impact grade (EN 166 F ) is the highest level of impact offered by protective spectacles/glasses.
Grade F test: 6mm, 0.86g steel ball travelling at 45 metres per second (polycarbonate and Trivex). CR39 (with increased thickness) and toughened glass (usually thermally toughened in the UK) are materials offering increased robustness (EN 166 S). Grade S test: 22mm, 43g steel ball travelling at 5.1 metres per second. This is derived from the practical test which is to drop the ball (as stipulated) from a height of 1.3 metres. |
Care of protective eyewear
Not all responsibility lies with the employer. The wearer has obligations to wear the protective eyewear when required and in the manner that they were issued for. The wearer, or another party, must not interfere with, abuse, or alter the appliance in any way. Advice on the proper care of the appliance should be given (how to clean and the benefits of putting into the case provided when not in use). Remember the hazards of cleaning polycarbonate lenses with acetone or methyl chloride! Avoid extreme heat (unless specifically designed for such use) and humidity. It is very important that the optician is aware of the very limited actions that they can perform with regard to protective eyewear; effectively this is limited to adjustment only. The optician must never undertake any repair - even replacing a screw. Such action would invalidate the protection guarantee. All repairs must be returned to the original supplier who will, when completed, issue a new guarantee certificate.
Not all responsibility lies with the employer. The wearer has obligations to wear the protective eyewear when required and in the manner that they were issued for. The wearer, or another party, must not interfere with, abuse, or alter the appliance in any way. Advice on the proper care of the appliance should be given (how to clean and the benefits of putting into the case provided when not in use). Remember the hazards of cleaning polycarbonate lenses with acetone or methyl chloride! Avoid extreme heat (unless specifically designed for such use) and humidity. It is very important that the optician is aware of the very limited actions that they can perform with regard to protective eyewear; effectively this is limited to adjustment only. The optician must never undertake any repair - even replacing a screw. Such action would invalidate the protection guarantee. All repairs must be returned to the original supplier who will, when completed, issue a new guarantee certificate.