Safety Spectacles

Protective eyewear is tested to meet a specific set of standards and is marked according to its protective ability. Although there are many standards for safety eyewear dependent on its purpose, all eyewear intended for use in the workplace must meet a core European standard: EN 166:2001.

When is safety eyewear needed?

Eye protection is required whenever there could be a risk to the eyes. The EN 166 standard of eyewear isn’t limited to the workplace.

Protective eyewear is diverse and is designed to counter a variety of risks such as splatter, impact and light filtration. UV rays from the sun is one of the biggest risks to the eyes.

To protect the eye from foreign objects, such as dust particles, caustic fluids, radiochemical or metal swarf shavings, suitable eye protection should be selected and worn where applicable.

Eyewear is one of the most common forms of PPE and one of the most versatile. Where there is a potential hazard, eye protection should be worn even if there is no immediate, presentable risk. Some injuries are immediate, but others can be gradual as a result of lengthened exposure to sunlight, for example.

Protective eyewear tends to be split into four categories: safety spectacles, goggles, visors/face shields and sunglasses.

What is EN166?

EN 166:2001 is the European standard covering the requirements for protective eyewear. It is closely linked to EN 167:2001 and EN 168:2001 which specify the optical and non-optical test methods.

Standards – Product Type:

EN169 – Filters for welding and related techniques – Transmittance requirements and recommended utilization

EN170 – Ultraviolet filters – Transmittance requirements and recommended utilization

EN171 – Infrared filters – Transmittance requirements and recommended use

EN172 – Solar radiation filters – Sun glare filters for industrial use

Standards – Field of Use: 

Welding –

EN175 – Equipment for eye and face protection during welding and allied processes

EN379 – Specification for welding filters with switchable and dual luminous transmittance

Laser –

EN207 – Filters and eye protection against laser radiation

EN208 – Eye protection for adjustment work on lasers and laser systems

Mechanical / Heat Protection –

EN1731 – Mesh type eye and face protectors for industrial and non-industrial use against mechanical hazards and / or heat