Eye Protection at Work

Eye injuries in the workplace are among the most common and preventable occupational injuries. Every day, thousands of workers sustain eye injuries that range from minor irritation to permanent vision loss, the vast majority of which could have been avoided with appropriate protective eyewear.

At Upper West Optical, we provide prescription safety eyewear and protective lens solutions for workers across a wide range of industries, combining the vision correction each patient needs with the protection their work environment demands.

Highest-Risk Industries for Eye Injuries

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Construction and Trades

Carpentry, masonry, metalwork, and general construction generate high-velocity particles, sparks, and debris that pose constant impact risks requiring ANSI-rated protective eyewear at all times on site.

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Manufacturing and Chemical

Workers handling chemicals, acids, solvents, and industrial compounds face splash hazards that require chemical-splash goggles providing a complete seal around the eyes with proper ventilation to prevent fogging.

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Healthcare

Medical and dental professionals are exposed to biological fluid splash, UV sterilization equipment, and laser hazards that require appropriate protective eyewear depending on the specific procedure being performed.

Types of Protective Eyewear

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Safety Glasses

ANSI Z87.1-rated safety glasses provide impact protection for general industrial and construction tasks. They are available in prescription and non-prescription versions with various lens tints and anti-fog coatings.

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Chemical Splash Goggles

Indirect-vent goggles create a complete seal around the eye to prevent chemical splashes from entering from any angle, essential for laboratory, chemical handling, and cleaning operations of any kind.

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Face Shields

Full-face protection is required for tasks involving molten metals, heavy grinding, chemical pouring, or any operation where protection beyond the eyes to the entire face is necessary for worker safety.

      Workplace Eye Protection Best Practices
      Know the specific hazards of your work area and match protective eyewear to each task accordingly
Ensure all protective eyewear meets current ANSI Z87.1 impact standards at minimum
Replace scratched or damaged protective eyewear immediately as compromised lenses reduce both visibility and protection
Prescription safety glasses eliminate the discomfort of wearing safety goggles over regular glasses
Ensure eyewash stations are accessible and that all workers know how to use them in chemical splash emergencies
Store protective eyewear properly when not in use to prevent scratching and maintain optical clarity

    

Prescription Safety Eyewear

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Comfort and Compliance

Workers who need corrective lenses are far more likely to wear safety eyewear consistently when it incorporates their prescription rather than requiring uncomfortable goggles worn over regular glasses all day.

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ANSI Certification Required

Prescription safety lenses and frames must both carry ANSI Z87.1 certification to be considered compliant workplace protective eyewear. Standard prescription glasses do not meet this standard regardless of lens material.

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Regular Updates Needed

Prescription safety glasses should be updated whenever the underlying prescription changes to ensure workers maintain both the visual acuity and the protection their specific job environment demands simultaneously.

Safety Eyewear Fitting at Upper West Optical

At Upper West Optical, we provide prescription safety eyewear fitting for workers in construction, healthcare, manufacturing, laboratory, and other high-hazard environments. Our dispensing team is familiar with ANSI Z87.1 requirements and can help ensure your safety eyewear meets both your prescription needs and your workplace standards.

Protecting your vision at work is not optional. Schedule an appointment to discuss the right prescription safety eyewear for your specific occupational hazards and get fitted for protection that you will actually wear consistently.