As much as the rules are clear, there is still a lot of speculation about prescription goggles as Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Are they mandatory or not? The answer to that question has much more to do with worker health and safety than anything else.
The truth is that no activity that puts your employee's health at risk should be performed without the proper PPE. In the same way that PPE such as helmets, boots and ear protectors are important, safety glasses with prescription are also essential.
So, since prevention is better than cure, in this article, we are going to cover everything you need to know about providing this equipment. Keep reading to clear your doubts.
What are the main dangers to which the eyes are subject?
Even when individuals are not performing work activities, eye accidents happen. They can occur anywhere. So, in the face of imminent risk, giving up protection cannot be a possibility , not even for a second.
Among the main offenders defying eye protection are:
- particles projected by emery;
- the polycut;
- the circular saw;
- welding machines.
In addition, it is worth saying that Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS) is increasingly common among people. It is the famous eye strain that causes headache, blurry vision, burning and feeling of sand in the eyes.
The risk of eye accidents exists in all professions, however, there is recurrence in some areas, such as:
- metallurgy;
- mining;
- textile;
- transport;
- graphics;
- construction;
- mechanics;
- woodwork;
- chemical industry .
What are the main eye injuries?
Major injuries are divided into three categories. Are they:
- penetrating: perforation of the eyeball, usually caused by sharp objects;
- fractures: when the eye socket is fractured and an increase in eye pressure is recorded;
- blunt: when the eyeball is pressed into the socket, usually by hitting or punching, injuring the internal structures of the eye.
Can the company refrain from offering prescription safety glasses?
In no way. Every organization is obliged to provide employees, free of charge, with risk-appropriate PPE. This equipment must be in perfect working order and conservation. In addition to providing the material, it is also one of your obligations to have knowledge to identify the risks and reasons for using PPE.
But what does the Regulatory Standard establish?
The Regulatory Standard (NR) that determines eye protection requirements is number 6. According to it, safety glasses must offer eye protection against:
- impact of flying particles;
- ultraviolet radiation;
- intense luminosity;
- infrared radiation.
What are the types of goggles?
There are some more common models on the market. Check out:
simple safety glasses
These are the most common models and can have a clear lens or in other colors, such as yellow, green or gray. Typically, they are mostly used in industrial jobs that need to ensure protection from low- hazard impacts . However, simple glasses often fail to protect against smaller particles, which can get into the eye area.
Wide vision safety glasses
Unlike the previous model, this type of glasses has the advantage of protecting the entire area around the eyes. For this reason, it is ideal for work in areas where there is a lot of airborne dust and debris. So, they are more suitable for construction workers, industries and laboratories.
In addition, some of its versions have anti-fog features, anti-scratch lenses and adjustable straps, for example. Another advantage is that it is possible to use this product together with prescription glasses. This, of course, favors those employees who need to wear their glasses on a daily basis.
Goggles with face shield
These models are the most suitable for workplaces with a lot of particle projection, such as welds and locksmiths, for example. They can also serve as secondary protection and can be used alongside regular safety glasses. What's more, they're heat resistant and protect well against impacts and chemicals — all without harming the worker's eyesight.
In addition to the types of goggles, you should also be aware of the specifications of each lens model.
yellow lenses
Yellow lenses are ideal for low-light environments and ensure good vision in these spaces. In addition, they protect the eyes from the impacts of flying particles.
colorless
This type of lens is not suitable for working in places with intense light, as the employee's vision will be impaired. So, the clear lens is suitable for bright environments, but without intense light.
ashes
This type of lens works unlike the previous model: it is more suitable for spaces with intense luminosity or open sky work.
greens
Green lenses are often used by welders. That's because the greenish color protects the eye region against infrared and solders.
IN-OUT
These are models of clear lenses, however, with the mirror finish. They are indicated for activities carried out indoors, without a fixed-hour workday — that is, intermittent work. If the worker needs to move to a place in the open or with more light, the lens also guarantees that there will be no discomfort due to the difference in intensity.
In addition to colors, there are also types of lens, a subject that deserves attention. Check out!
glass lenses
This type of lens has the advantage of not being easily scratched and can be used to protect against more aggressive chemicals. Despite this, this model can be heavy and uncomfortable. Also, to avoid the risk of breaking the projection of glass particles, this model is not recommended in activities that involve risk of shock against the glasses.
hardened plastic lenses
These models are lighter, which reduces discomfort when using them. However, they are also not as resistant to scratch hazards. What's more, this type of lens is difficult to fog up, even with constant use.
polycarbonate lenses
This model presents a balance between the two previous versions: it is lighter and stronger. As a result, polycarbonate becomes more impact resistant — however, it is not as scratch resistant as glass lenses. Another advantage is that these lenses are more difficult to fog up.
Which glasses should the company choose for its employees?
As mentioned, goggles are essential equipment to ensure that your employees perform their demands without compromising their safety. Often, this use is no longer a recommendation and becomes an obligation under Brazilian legislation. So, if your company works with certain activities, double your attention:
- works involving ultraviolet radiation;
- steel handling;
- medical works;
- woodworking;
- work with chemicals;
- jobs that handle soldering;
- works that handle glass;
- performing laboratory diagnoses;
- manipulation of biological materials.
Furthermore, for each of these activities, a specific type of glasses is required. For example, while glasses with glass lenses are recommended for activities that involve a risk of shock to the glasses, hardened plastic lenses are useful for protection against welding spatter.
Also, the simplest models of goggles are indicated for industrial activities that need protection against low-hazard impacts. Wide vision goggles are mostly used by construction professionals, industries and laboratories as they protect against airborne dust and debris. For metalworking and welding areas, goggles with face protection are the most recommended.
In other words, choosing the ideal protective eyewear should take into account the risks your employees face and their needs. In addition, of course, to consider other issues, such as adaptation, comfort, lenses, etc.
What does the law Enforcement say about goggles?
In the section of NR 6, the Regulatory Standard that establishes the specifications on the use of personal protective equipment, this equipment corresponds to “any device or product, for individual use, used by the worker, intended to protect risks susceptible to threatening safety and security. health at work.”
In other words, it is the company's duty to provide not only the PPE, but the most appropriate according to the specifications of the activities performed.
Does the adoption of prescription safety glasses bring benefits to the company?
Yes, because whenever a company is complying with the requirements of the Standard, there are already consequent advantages, such as the protection of the employee himself. It is worth mentioning that the gains do not stop there. When the organization offers prescription safety glasses, the worker performs his tasks more accurately and more comfortably. Thus, the company gains in productivity.
When the material is of high quality (and, above all, made to measure), the use of this PPE becomes spontaneous and adapts quickly. It is important to mention this because, as we know, there is a certain rejection on the part of workers regarding the use of protective equipment during work, especially in the case of glasses.
This removal can happen for several reasons, such as discomfort, adjustment problems, unfavorable aesthetics and discomfort. Therefore, the ideal is that the lenses are graduated according to a specialist's prescription. The ophthalmologist needs to be consulted to prescribe the correct grade.
What technical information do you need to know?
Before purchasing prescription safety glasses, you need to do some checks. We have gathered below the main information that surrounds the purchase process for this type of item. Keep reading.
Medical prescription
Every worker who is going to use this PPE must undergo prior consultation with an ophthalmologist. At this stage, the professional will check your refractive error (hyperopia, presbyopia, myopia or astigmatism) and the appropriate degree to correct the problem.
Revenue validity
The buyer must be aware of the validity of the prescription. As long as there have been no changes in vision, it must be less than 6 months old. Not always the wearer of the glasses can notice if there has been a change, in fact. So always work with current recipes.
knowledge of risk
Before making the purchase, it is necessary to know exactly what type of protection is required, according to the Technical Standard ANSI.Z.87.1/2003. As we have already seen in this article, the risks present in the work environment are varied.
Each company experiences a different reality. The problem can be linked to flying particles, ultraviolet radiation, intense luminosity, infrared radiation, among others. Therefore, it is recommended to invest in a good analysis.
Certificate of Approval (CA)
The Certificate of Approval is a requirement for this model of eyewear. It matches the frame and lens set. If an accessory is needed to attach the lens to the frame, it must also have an AC.
Below is the transcription of the Technical Note of MTE 282/2010 that details the subject of the use of prescription lenses in eyeglasses:
NOTE. TECHNIQUE No. 282/201O/CGNOR/DSST/SIT
Subject:
I – Introduction
This is an analysis on the subject of safety glasses with graduated lenses for visual correction.
II - Analysis
It is provided for in Art. 166 of the CLT, the company's obligation to provide employees with personal protective equipment suitable for the risk and in perfect condition and functioning, whenever general measures do not offer complete protection against the risks of accidents and damages the health.
Such obligation is also expressed in item 6.3 of NR··6 — Personal Protective Equipment — which provides:
6.3. The company is obliged to provide employees, free of charge, with PPE appropriate to the risk, in perfect condition and functioning, in the following circumstances:
a) whenever the general measures do not offer complete protection against the risks of accidents at work or in a perfect state of conservation and operation, in the following circumstances;
b) while collective protection measures are being implemented; and.
c) to respond to emergency situations.
Thus, it is clear that, in order to combat the risks of accidents and work-related diseases, general measures (collective protection) of an organizational and technical nature are a priority, and when these measures prove to be insufficient, it is necessary to need to use Personal Protective Equipment.
In this context, even considering the hierarchy of protection measures, it is necessary to consider that, in several work activities, there are risks to the eyes of workers, such as impacts from particles and flying objects, dust in suspension, chemical and biological agents, splashes of liquids. Therefore, the company is obliged to provide safety glasses intended for eye protection that provide effective, adequate protection and that provide the least possible level of discomfort.
It is important to consider at this point that when a company that manufactures or imports PPE requires the Ministry of Labor to issue a Certificate of Approval, it must present reports for eyewear and safety, it must present laboratory test reports that certify that the equipment has been tested and approved. according to the ANSI.Z.87.1/2003 Standard, established by Ordinance 121, of September 30, 2009, among other documents.
It should be noted that the laboratory tests are carried out on glasses that have flat lenses and whose AC is granted for the lens/frame assembly, and it is not possible to issue AC only for the graduated lens. According to IBGE's 2002 census, about 16.6 million Brazilians use glasses with corrective lenses. Of this universe, certainly a considerable amount corresponds to workers who may have their eyes exposed to the risk of accidents and diseases if they do not use adequate protection, that is, safety glasses with graduated (corrective) lenses.
Conclusion
In view of the above, safety glasses manufacturing or importing companies wishing to sell safety glasses with graduated (corrective) lenses must obtain the CA for their equipment (set composed of lens/frame), with the proper framing in accordance with Annex I of NR-6, this CA being extended to glasses with graduated lenses, when they are made by the original PPE manufacturers. In addition, if the manufacturer or importer of safety glasses (flat lens) with AC wishes to authorize opticians to manufacture and mount prescription lenses in their frames, the manufacturer/importer must be responsible for this equipment.
Treatment against fogging
According to Ordinance no. 121, of 09.30.2009, annex I, item 2.2, of the Secretary of Labor Inspection/Department of Safety and Health at Work, PPE "intended to protect the face, eyes and airways must restrict the visual field as little as possible and the user's vision and be equipped with devices to avoid blurring”.
The purchase of this PPE requires the maximum attention of the buyer because, if the glasses are made in the wrong measurements, they result in a real waste. Like any other protective equipment, it is essential that it follows safety standards , taking into account the specifics of each user, and has periodic maintenance, in order to guarantee the required safety of the PPE.
We hope this article has helped you understand the urgency and seriousness of this issue if there are workers with eyesight problems in your company. It is the entire responsibility of the organization that the health and safety of employees is preserved.
By ensuring the use of good safety glasses with prescription, in addition to well-being and maintaining a favorable environment for productivity, the company's own reputation will be strengthened, which will be known as a responsible and reliable brand.
And then? Now that you know everything you need to know about prescription safety glasses, why not get in touch with us at Conect and find out more about how we can help?
No comments yet