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❈ An Eye for Safety: Protective Eyewear

☑ Things to consider when choosing eye protection:

1. Eyewear that meets ANSI's Z87.1 specification can stop a projectile such as an errant nail, wood spun out by a table saw or a chunk of masonry debris without the lens shattering or frame breaking.
2. Safety glasses that aren't identified as meeting this ANSI standard, often termed "visitor glasses," may keep dust out of your eyes. But don't rely on them to stop significant impact.
3. Polycarbonate lenses, which are far more economical than glass safety lenses, scratch easily. Always wet-clean them and dry with them a soft, clean cotton cloth.
4. Comfortable fit matters: look for an adjustable model.
5. Your breath makes lenses fog over, particularly when you work hard. If you're also wearing a mask, it must fit well around your nose to avoid channeling your breath toward the glasses. Antifog coatings help, but they drive up the price and get scratched easily.
6. Get UV protection if you'll be working outdoors.