Workplace OH&S is a well-known concept and safety glasses are common in working environments, but what about eye safety at home?

Many workplaces have implemented detailed safety procedures to ensure the safety of their staff. In most cases, these measures are legally required in order to protect workers and some companies choose to extend their safety operations beyond what is necessary by law. Failing to meet minimum legal safety requirements can result in heavy penalties, both financial and otherwise, for companies and employees.

In order to ensure they fulfil legal safety requirements, many organisations have dedicated OH&S teams, policies and procedures, and provide suitable protective equipment to keep employees safe while they carry out their jobs.

However, the same stringent OH&S requirements don’t exist outside of these workplaces. A worker can go home and carry out many of the same activities they do at work, with no legal requirement for protective equipment or practices. As a result, many people do not wear the necessary protective equipment at home, and so the risk of injury is greater.

Activities at Home that Carry Risk of Eye Injury

• Mowing: dust and debris, sticks and stones
• DIY: sanding, painting, hammering nails etc: dust, nails, splashes of paint
• Chopping wood: Flying wood chips
• Mechanics: Oil, metallic shavings, metal parts, dust
• Cleaning: cleaning chemical sprays, dust
• Gardening: dust, debris, sharp sticks, smoke from burning debris

Why People Do Not Wear Safety Glasses at Home

1. Poor fit/discomfort. Badly fitting safety glasses can slip down the nose or cause pinching or pressure points. Constantly adjusting eyewear is irritating, and poor fitting eyewear can be very uncomfortable. Such eyewear is generally not worn for long. It is important to get eyewear that fits properly. Look for products with comfort features like flexfit temples and adjustable nose bridges to prevent slipping.
2. Poor visibility: Working around the home can be hard work and lead to sweating. This in turn can lead to eyewear fogging, which can reduce visibility and cause a hazard in itself. Eyewear that has an anti-fog coating like Bollé Safety’s Platinum will help prevent poor visibility due to fogging or scratching.
3. Aesthetics: Safety glasses can have a reputation for being rather unattractive. Whilst safety should come before vanity, it is understandable that ugly eyewear is met with a lack of enthusiasm. This is relevant as it is not mandatory to wear eye protection at home. However, there are many safety glasses (like most  Bollé Safety models) that look great and are easily mistaken for a sporty pair of sunglasses.
4. No protection available: Unlike in the workplace where there are boxes and vending machines and offices full of safety supplies, people don’t always have eye protection at home. Bollé Safety recommends you stock up with a pair and a spare, just in case.

Which Safety Glasses are best for home use?

Bollé Safety has a large range of products to suit different environments and user needs. Each frame has a different set of attributes to aid comfort, and most come with a range of different lenses for different light levels and environments.