Association of British Dispensing Opticians

Eye protection: safety and protective eyewear

A reference guide for ABDO members

New 2013 revised edition

Industrial prescription protective eyewear

Legal requirements

On 1st January 1993, in line with aEuropean Directive, the Government ofthe UK introduced new legislation onHealth and Safety at Work. Theseeffectively replaced the old UK legislationof 10th April 1947.

Six areas were considered within thelegislation, one of which was personalprotective equipment (PPE). Theregulations were published under theHealth and Safety at Work Act 1974 asPersonal Protective Equipment (EuropeanCommunity EC Directive) Regulations1992 SI 1992/3139.

Eye protection was included in theseregulations.

The 1993 regulations apply to all workersin the UK, with the exception for crewsof sea-going ships (there is also somedebate about the protection affordedto military personnel).

As a result of the publication of these rulesall previous legislation was completelyrevoked. The regulations relating to eyeprotection are now taken as EuropeanNormals ie EN standards.

British, European and Internationalstandards are:

• BS EN 165: Personal eye protection:Vocabulary. Now withdrawn andreplaced by BS EN ISO 4007:2012.Personal protective equipment - Eyeand face protection - Vocabulary

• BS EN 166:2002. Personal eye protection:Specifications

• BS EN 167:2002. Personal eye protection:Optical test methods

• BS EN 168:2002. Personal eye protection:Non optical test methods

• BS EN 169:1992. Personal eye protection:Filters for welding and relatedtechniques: Transmittance requirementsand recommended use

• BS EN 170:2002. Personal eye protection:Ultraviolet filters: Transmittancerequirements and recommended use

• BS EN 171:2002. Personal eye protection:Infrared filters: Transmittancerequirements and recommended use

• BS EN 172:1995. Specification forsunglare filters used in personal eyeprotectors for industrial use

• BS EN 379:2003 + A1: 2009. Personaleye protection. Automatic weldingfilters. Welding filters with transmittancevariable by time and zone

• BS EN 1731:2006. Personal eyeprotection. Mesh eye and faceprotectors

• BS EN 14458:2004. Personal eye-equipment. Faceshields and visorsfor use with firefighters' and highperformance industrial safety helmetsused by firefighters, ambulance andemergency services.

• BS EN 174:2001. Ski goggles fordownhill skiing.

• BS 7930-1:1998. Eye protectors forracket sports. Squash Oculars.

• BS EN 1836:2005 + A1:2007.Sunglasses and glare. Filters forgeneral use (Plano Powers).

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Spectacles, goggles and shieldsAs previously stated, all protectiveeyewear in the UK must conform to theEuropean standard EN 166:2002, whichhas several differing levels of impactresistance, indicated by symbols.

The range of symbols used in lens typemarking are:

Symbol Property

S Increased robustness(toughened glass andthickened CR39)

F Low energy impact(polycarbonate and Trivex)

B Medium energy impact

A High energy impact

9 Non-adherence of moltenmetal and resistance topenetration of hot solids

K Resistance to damage byfine particles

N Non-fogging properties

Note: When medium energy impactresistance, denoted as EN 166 B, isrequired or, there is a requirement forprotection against electrical arcs,welding materials and corrosive materials,prescription spectacles should not besupplied and goggles, or visors, should beconsidered, which must carry theappropriate EN specifications.Grade B test: 6mm, 0.86g steel balltravelling at 120 metres per second

When high energy impact resistance(EN 166 A) is required visors or faceshields must be supplied. Grade A test: 6mm 0.86g steel balltravelling at 190 metres per second

Low energy impact grade (EN 166 F ) isthe highest level of impact offered byprotective spectacles/glasses. Grade F test: 6mm, 0.86g steel balltravelling at 45 metres per second(polycarbonate and Trivex)

CR39 (with increased thickness) andtoughened glass (usually thermallytoughened in the UK) are materialsoffering increased robustness (EN 166 S). Grade S test: 22mm, 43g steel balltravelling at 5.1 metres per second. This isderived from the practical test which is todrop the ball (as stipulated) from a heightof 1.3 metres.

Types of protective eyewear

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Markings required on the lenses ofsupplied protective spectacles

N ..................... Manufacturer’s mark 1...................... Optical class S or F .............. Impact grade

There will probably also be a Kitemark,which in not a regulatory requirement,but a manufacturer’s stamp of quality.

The Kitemark: is considered the world'spremier symbol of trust, integrity andquality. It indicates that manufacturerscarrying the mark have satisfied the mostrigorous quality process. The scheme isdeveloped by using BS, EN, ISO or TradeAssociation specification.

LensMarks: The manufacturer’s mark, whichis useful as the source is traceable in theevent problems, (plus Kitemark), 1 - F or1- S.

In a number of working environments itmay well be possible to only provideappropriate over-goggles, or side shields,to spectacle wearers, but such stepsshould only be regarded as temporarymeasures. It should be noted that thesemeasures are not suitable for prolongedor regular use.

FramesThese may be manufactured in metal(often nickel alloys - plated) and plastic(commonly cellulose acetate,polymamide or polycarbonate).

Functionality and use dictates theirdesign, but a range of colours and stylesare readily available from theappropriate suppliers.

Frames must also carry the appropriatemarkings, which are:

Marks: Manufacturer’s mark, againoffering traceability (plus Kitemark, not arequirement).

EN 166........... Relevant standard.F..................... If the frame claims to meet

low energy impact (nomarkings are required forGrade S increasedrobustness).

CE mark ....... Products must meet legalrequirements before theycan be sold within theEuropean Community, andmust carry CE marking. CEmarking attached to aproduct is a manufacturer'sclaim that it meets all therequirements of Europeanlegislation.

BS EN 166 PROTECTOR TYPEFrames Lenses Spectacles Goggles Faceshields

Manufacturer’s mark R R • • •

Optical class

Refractive power +/-0.06 - 1 • • •

Refractive power +/-0.12 - 2 • • •

Refractive power +0.12 - 3 • •

Refractive power - 0.25 - 3 • •

Mechanical strength

Increased robustness - S • • •

Low energy impact -F F • • •

Medium energy impact -B B • •

High energy impact -A A •

Field of use

Liquid droplets/Splashes 3 - • •

Large dust particles 4 - •

Gas/Fine dust particles 5 - •

Short circuit electric arc 8 - •

Molten metal/Hot solids 9 9 • •

Resistance to fogging - N • • •

Resistance to surface - K • • •damage (damage by fine particles)

Technical information

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ReferenceNorville Group. Protective Eyewear. Catalogue dated February 2012 p11.

General

BS EN 166:2002 - Personal eye protection -specificationsNot all types of eye protector arepermitted to meet all these requirements.

The order of markings on oculars, whererelevant, is:• Scale number (filters only)• Manufacturer’s mark• Optical class• Mechanical strength• Fields of use• Scratch resistance• Resistance to fogging• Radiant heat

The order of markings on frames, whererelevant, is:• Manufacturer’s mark• EN166• Fields of use• Mechanical strength

Scale number - for oculars with filteringeffect only. Higher numbers have astronger filtering effect (eg are darkerfor welding). Scale number consists ofa code number and a shade numberseparated by a hyphen, except forwelding filters which have no codenumber. For example, an IR filter withshade number 4 has the scalenumber 4-4.

Welding filters - see BS EN 169 andBS EN 379Shade number between 1.2 and 16.Suffix a denotes filter for use in gaswelding with flux.

UV filters - see BS EN 170 2- or 3- minus code number denotingUV filter without or with good colourrecognition respectively, plus shadenumber between 1.2 and 5.

IR filters - see BS EN 1714- minus code number for IR filters, plusshade number between 1.2 and 10.

Sunglare - see BS EN 1725- or 6- minus code number for sunglarefilters without or with IR specificationrespectively, plus: shade numberbetween 1.1 and 4.1 and BS EN 1836.

Optical class1, 2 or 3 - indicates optical quality ofthe ocular. Class 1 is the best.

Standards for eye and face protection

Mechanical strength - marked on framesand/or oculars

Symbol Property

S Increased robustnessIncreased robustness(oculars only)

F High speed particles, lowenergy impact (any type)

B High speed particles, mediumenergy impact (goggles andfaceshields only)

A High speed particles, highenergy impact (faceshieldsonly)

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Frames

Symbol Property

3 Resistant to liquid droplets(goggles), or liquid splashes(faceshields, but not mesh)

4 Resistant to coarse dustparticles

5 Resistant to gas and fine dustparticles

9 Resistant to molten metalsand hot solids

G Resistant to radiant heat(BS EN 1731 faceshields only)

Oculars

Symbol Property

8 Resistant to short circuitelectric arc (faceshields only)

9 Resistant to molten metalsand hot solids (goggles andfaceshields only)

Other ocular markings

Symbol Property

K Resistant to surface damageby fine particles

N Resistant to fogging

G Resistant to radiant heat(BS EN 1731 faceshields only)

BS EN 1731:2006. Personal eye protection.Mesh eye and face protectorsNote: The requirements and markings forradiant heat, which appear in BS EN1731:1998, have been deleted from thisstandard.

The order of markings (following EN166),where applicable, is:• Manufacturer’s mark • BS EN 1731:2006 • Mechanical strength

Mechanical strength: S, F, B or A - as forBS EN 166

Fields of use

Fire fighters and emergency teams

BS EN 14458:2004 - Faceshields and visorsfor fire fighters, ambulance andemergency services

Symbol Property

= General (non-fire fighting) use

+ Fire fighters’ use

Face guard, or eye guard

Options: Scale number appropriate tofiltering performance (see EN 166)

Temperature extremes of testing

Symbol Property

T Resistance to medium energyimpact at extremes oftemperature

A Resistance to high energyimpact

AT Resistance to high energyimpact at extremes oftemperature

K Resistance to abrasion

N Resistance to fogging

R Enhanced infrared reflection

Ω Electrical properties

Sport

BS EN 174:2001 - Ski goggles for downhill skiingFiltering oculars marked according totransmittance:S# - in range S0 to S4. Higher numberindicates lower transmittance

BS 7930-1:1998 - Eye protectors for racketsports - Squash OcularsThe order of other markings is:• Manufacturer identification• Standard number (BS 7930-1)

FramesThe order of other markings is:• Manufacturer identification• Standard number (BS 7930-1)• Model size if applicable

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Industrial prescription protective eyewear

Assessment of requiredprotective eyewearHealth and Safety at Work Regulationsrequire the employer to identify andevaluate workplace risk. This is commonlyundertaken by the company safetyofficer. The reason for this is that in orderto do a comprehensive assessment,someone with access to, and familiaritywith, the working environment is essential.This effectively means that apractice-based optician is not theappropriate person to assess such risk,though they may well dispense therequired protective eyewear.

The net result of this is that the patient willcome into the practice with a ‘Company’order form. This will stipulate the type oflens and lens material required.

Note: If this is not stipulated contactthe company health and safety officerbefore proceeding. The frame may alsobe specified though, frequently, achoice is offered to the patient from astipulated range.

On occasions, however, a self-employedtradesman may come into the practicerequiring protective eyewear. In thisinstance the optician should perform adetailed assessment of the patient’srequirements and the type of hazards

that are associated with their day to daywork. If it is feasible contact a localcompany involved in the same, or verysimilar, work type. Alternatively theoptician should contact a supplierinvolved in the supply of protectiveeyewear to seek their advice. Howeverwhen the optician proceeds, he/sheshould keep detailed case records of thereasons for their choice of lenses andframes supplied.

Once an order has been establishedthe spectacles must be ordered froma recognised safety eyewearmanufacturer. This will ensure that thenecessary standards are met and that aproper safety certificate is issued at thetime of completion.

The norm when ‘Company’ safetyspectacles are being supplied is that theoptician will receive a fee for thedispensing service. There are no specificamounts established for the dispensingservice so this should be agreed with thesupplier before proceeding.

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Care of protective eyewearNot all responsibility lies with the employer.The wearer has obligations to wear theprotective eyewear when required andin the manner that they were issued for.The wearer, or another party, must notinterfere with, abuse, or alter theappliance in any way.

Advice on the proper care of theappliance should be given (how to cleanand the benefits of putting into the caseprovided when not in use). Rememberthe hazards of cleaning polycarbonatelenses with acetone or methyl chloride!

Avoid extreme heat (unless specificallydesigned for such use) and humidity.

It is very important that the optician isaware of the very limited actions thatthey can perform with regard toprotective eyewear; effectively this islimited to adjustment only. The opticianmust never undertake any repair - evenreplacing a screw. Such action wouldinvalidate the protection guarantee. Allrepairs must be returned to the originalsupplier who will, when completed, issuea new guarantee certificate.

Sunglass tints will reduce lighttransmission, but should offer 100%protection from UV radiation (specificallyUVA - possible cataract formation, retinaldamage with long term exposure; UVB -potentially the most hazardous, as thiscan damage the retina and theconjunctiva, the worst scenario beingblindness; UVC - does not reach the earthsurface as it is absorbed by dioxygen iethe ozone layer).

In hot conditions/climates, it might beadvisable to give infrared protection:

• Infrared A (wavelength between 780and 1400 nanometres) is dangerous tothe retina

• Infrared B (wavelength between 1400and 3000 nanometres) can causedamage to the cornea, iris and the lens

• Infrared C (wavelength between 3000and 1 million nanometres) can causedamage to the cornea

Standard BS EN 1836: 2005 + A1:2007 -Sunglasses and glare Filters for generaluse (Plano Powers)BS EN 1836 is for sunglasses with a planoprescription for general use - includingdriving. This standard does not coverprescription or industrial sunglare filters.

Labelling and information should include:

1. Identification of manufacturer2. Filter category number (see below)3. Number and year of standard

(ie BS EN 1836:2005)4. With category 4 filters a warning

‘not suitable for driving or road use’(symbol: a car with a line through it)

5. Additional information drawn up andkept by the manufacturer:

a) Manufacturer’s name andaddress

b) Type of filterc) Instructions for cleaning and used) Explanation of markingse) Optical classf ) Plano sunglasses must be CE

marked against the PPEDirective

Filter categories and descriptions

See table on opposite page

Note: The latest annex to this standard(2007:E2) states that ‘Sunglare filters withan LTF of less than 75% are not suitable foruse in twilight or night driving and roaduse’, this overlaps somewhat with the filtercategories, but, nevertheless is the mostup to date directive. The best adviceshould be for no tinting to the lens, but an

Sunglass protection

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MAR coat should be a must (perhaps agold reflex, an arguable aid to contrast).For users working long hours underfluorescent lighting, a blue reflex may behelpful to counter the tiny amount of UVemitted from this type of lighting.

• Driving and road use - Filters suitable fordaylight are: 0, 1, 2 and 3

• Filters from 1 - 4 are not suitable fornight driving and road use

• Filter category 4 not suitable for drivingor road use per se

Though the above filter categories referto plano sunglasses the information isalso very relevant to prescriptionsunglass wear.

Other specialist sunprotection lenses

PolycarbonateWhere safety or wrap around types arerequired polycarbonate is commonlyused (polycarbonate, in white form,eliminates 100% of UV @ 380nm).

Polarised lensesWhich are the only truly anti-glare lenses,should be recommend for use on andaround water (fishing, sailing, water skiingetc). For prolonged wear, there is a veryvalid argument for the addition of a mirrorcoating, to counteract the increased UVbeing reflected from the water. It is also avery good driving/road use tint, especiallyin wet conditions on a bright/sunny day.Consideration should also be given to‘DriveWear’ lenses (for daytime use only),which combine photochromictechnology with polarisation.

Filter Description Range of luminous transmittancecategory from over to

0 Clear or very light tint 80% 100%

1 Light tint 43% 80%

2 Medium tint 18% 43%

3 Dark tint 8% 18%

4 Very dark tint (not suitable for driving or road use in any conditions) 3% 8%

Snow SkiingCommonly supplied in goggle form andwhere a prescription is required insertsmay be used.

For general use, grey tints should besuggested - grey reduces the Visible LightTransmission (VLT) across the spectrum.Polarised lenses may also be used underthese conditions, but these tend to masksmall contours on the slope. In sunnyconditions darker brown tints may beused. For overcast, flat light days, in whichthere is an over-abundance of blue light,yellow or rose tints may be used. VLT mayalso be further reduced by the use ofmirror coatings, importantly this coatingwill also ‘reflect’ the added UV radiationwhich is exacerbated by reflection fromthe snow.

Shooting / archeryA bronze tint should be used for skeet,clay-pigeon and trap shooting. It is alsothe tint of choice for hunting.

For black on white target shooting yellow(sodium) tints offer good contrast.However, targets may vary in colour. Fororange targets use an orange tint. Redand pink tints are good for black andgreen targets and are also effective onorange targets and for hunting; they alsoreduce the effects of a greenbackground, grass, trees and shrubs. Ared tint can improve colour differentiationfor people with a colour vision problem.

Tints should not be too dark, as this resultsin an enlarged pupil, which canadversely affect the shooters’/archers’performance. Compare it to the pinholeeffect, which sharpens the image.

Sunglass protectionContinued

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CricketTints will vary according to the lightconditions, but the purpose is mainly toenhance contrast. The spectacles aremostly wrap around and will benefit froma mirror coating (cricketers spendprolonged periods in the field increasingUV exposure).

Tropical/desert useAccording to BS EN ISO Standards, solarradiation on the ground, even underextreme illuminance conditions, poses norisk to the ocular tissues. Prolongedexposure in desert environments may,however, pose some risk according tosome scientists. Protection from infrared isachieved by the use of ferrous oxide inthe glass lens mix, eg Rayban G15.However, as the G15 is a solid glass tintdiffering thicknesses in the lens will result inan uneven tint. This can be addressedwith bonded/equitint forms.

Photochromic lensesShould be recommended for patientswho a generally light sensitive, who like aflexibility in their tint, or for pathological/genetic conditions, such as albinism.

Note: This is only a brief resumé of this everexpanding field.

DIYThe DIY amateur is just as vulnerable toaccident as the professional, arguablymore so. He/she should be encouragedto have the necessary eye protection.Hazards may include flying particles, dust,chemical compounds (ammonia, acids,super glue). Is it surprising that there aremore accidents in the home than atwork? The emmetrope should wear wraparound goggles (injection mouldedpolycarbonate). The spectacle wearershould at least have some form of overprotection.

Hard ball and racket sportsFor ‘hard’ ball and racket sports impactresistance is the prime concern. Hardresin CR39 may be used, but to be extrasafe think in terms of polycarbonate orTrivex.

SquashSquash has a particular hazard, as thesquash ball is just the right size to fit intothe eye orbit, which literally explodes onimpact! All squash players should haveeye protection. There are specificallydesigned goggles for squash use whichmust be fitted with the most efficientimpact resistant lenses.

Sports and home protection

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Swimming gogglesPoor vision and the salt or chlorine inwater can make swimming anuncomfortable experience. Planoswimming goggles are available, as areready wear prescription goggles,incorporating basic spherical lens powers,or goggles with the patient's accurateprescription incorporated. Impactresistance is a consideration, thoughCR39 material should be adequate.

Diving (scuba and snorkeling) Safety is a very important factor, hencenormally a face mask is supplied (a firmwater-tight fit is essential). Plano masksare available; for prescription use maskswith inserts may be used or theprescription lens may be stuck/cementedto the rear surface of the mask (accuratecentration is very important).

Cycling Cycling has many facets to considerwhen supplying the protective unit, whichare most commonly supplied in goggleform because this offers good all roundprotection. These are obtainable in planoform and as goggles which are fitted withprescription inserts or as prescription lensgoggles using freeform technology. Thetint choice is an important factor from thelight transmission to UV protection tocontrast requirements. Protection fromwind, dust and impact are also essential.Vitally important is a firm and stable fit.

FootballAttention should be drawn to theABDO ‘Children’s eye protection infootball’ publication, a guide forreferees, coaches and parents. This isavailable upon application and is freeto ABDO members.

These are just some of the areas in whichopticians should become more activelyinvolved. However, with responsibilitycomes liability, so always keep detailedpractice records, even when supplyingnon-prescription units.

Association of British Dispensing Opticians199 Gloucester Terrace, London W2 6LDTelephone 020 7298 5100 Fax 020 7298 5111 Email general@abdolondon.org.ukWebsite www.abdo.org.uk

www.twitter.com/MembershipAbdo

Author: Ted Moffatt FBDO

(with appreciation to Paula Stevens forher valued help and advice)

Acknowledgements and thanksBritish Standards Institution Safetyspecs.co.ukSpecsaversThe Norville Group

As standards are subject to regularupdates and changes, please note theinformation in this brochure is onlyaccurate at the time of going to press.

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