Safety Goggles

For all-round reliable safety, browse our choice of safety goggles at Cromwell.co.uk. Our selection of goggles are made from high-quality materials to provide essential protection to the sensitive eye area.

Here at Cromwell, we supply goggles from well-known brands, such as 3M™, Bollé® and Honeywell®.

What are safety goggles?

Made with a flexible plastic frame and adjustable headband, safety goggles completely enclose the eyes for maximum protection. Available with a choice of ventilation to suit the workplace setting, goggles can also be treated with anti-mist and scratch resistant coatings to improve visual clarity.

Why safety goggles?

When in need of enhanced eye protection, safety goggles provide an excellent alternative to safety glasses. Designed to form a close seal with the face, goggles protect all angles of the eye to keep liquid splash and debris away from this delicate area.

When are safety goggles used?

In accordance with European legislation, when a risk of injury is identified in a workplace, employers must provide the correct PPE to protect workers against it. Industries such as construction, automotive and laboratories regularly use safety goggles to protect against a wide range of hazards.

Safety goggle types

Safety goggles are available in a range of materials and styles to suit applications and their associated hazards. They're regulated to European safety standards using EN 166:2002 and must always feature this marking on the frame and out of eyeshot on the lens (where possible).

Other than material and lens coatings, safety goggles can also be classified according to their venting systems, which each have their own benefits and disadvantages in different environments.

• Direct vented   -   These feature ventilation holes to the side or at the top of the goggle frame. They're open to the environment and help to reduce the build-up of heat and discomfort during prolonged wear. This type of ventilation isn't suitable in dust and particulate-heavy environments.

• Indirect vented   -   Ventilation is provided using an indirect passage as opposed to a straight passage used in direct venting. This often involves tabs that provide a level of coverage to the vents.

• Non-vented   -   Completely enclosed, this type has no ventilation, which benefits users when working in dusty environments, but can also be uncomfortable during prolonged use.

Considerations when choosing safety goggles

• Hazards - the type of hazards and the risk of an injury is the first step to identifying the correct goggles for your working environment.

• Training - safety legislation dictates that employees are given adequate training to fit PPE correctly and maintain it to ensure maximum protection.

• Fit - the elastic strap should be adjustable to ensure a good fit, while the touch points at the bridge of the nose and round the back of the ears should be checked for user comfort.

• Maintenance - its important to regularly check safety goggles for any damage and to keep it clean to ensure optical clarity. Coatings to protect against scratching and fog should be considered to prolong the product life and maintain good safety.

• Other PPE - safety goggles are often worn in conjunction with other personal protection equipment. Goggle shape and fitting should be chosen to fit with this PPE.

Safety goggles jargon buster

To ensure you find just what you're looking for from our range of safety goggles, we've broken down a key standard to help you understand the applications of each product.

What does the safety eyewear standard EN 166:2002 mean?

EN 166:2002 outlines the specifications for personal eye protection, and covers safety goggles, safety spectacles and face shields. It features the classifications, optical requirements, testing and more.

Let's break it down...

• EN - This is the European standard

• 166 - This is the legislation number

• 2002 - This is the year this standard was updated and supersedes the 1996 version

FAQs

Are safety goggles stronger than safety glasses?

Safety glasses deliver good impact protection for the eyes and are ideal in environments where chemical splash and particulate isn't an issue. They also work well in conjunction with a face shield. However, environments that risk chemical splash and particulate require the use safety goggles. Goggle frames form a seal against the face and completely enclose the eye to reliably protect against injury.

Can you get prescription safety goggles?

Working with Uvex®, Cromwell can provide a prescription service for safety eyewear in single vision, bi-focal or varifocal options.

For more information on safety goggles see our Safety Eyewear Guide... https://www.cromwell.co.uk/info/safety-technical-eye-and-face-protection