Eye Protection at Work: A Guide to Safety Eyewear, Solutions for Glasses Wearers and Eyewash Stations

Eye injuries often happen quickly – and often during tasks that feel like routine: a chip in the workshop, a splash in the lab, dust while grinding or a moment of inattention in production. Eye protection at work is therefore not a nice-to-have, but a key part of occupational safety.

In this guide you will learn which types of safety eyewear are available, what to look for in terms of selection and wearing comfort, which solutions make sense for glasses wearers – and how to implement eyewash stations reliably in the workplace.

For models and variants, see Safety eyewear.

Basics: Why eye protection at work matters

Eyes are particularly vulnerable – and even small particles can lead to painful irritation or long-term damage. Typical risk situations include:

• Mechanical risks: dust, chips, sparks, splinters
• Chemical risks: splashes, vapours, cleaning agents, solvents
• Optical risks: intense light sources, certain radiation (e.g. welding)

The key point: the “right” protective solution always depends on the specific task. Safety eyewear should not only protect, but also be comfortable enough that it is worn consistently.

Types of safety eyewear at a glance: which design fits which task?

Safety glasses (temple style) – the all-rounder

Suitable when the primary risks are mechanical (e.g. chips/dust) and good ventilation is important. Pay attention to a secure fit and sufficient side protection.

Overview: Safety eyewear.

Goggles – when sealing matters

Goggles seal more tightly around the eyes and are especially useful when fine dust, splashes or aerosols are expected.

Suitable models: Goggles.

Face protection / visor – when more area needs protection

Face protection can be helpful when not only the eyes but also the forehead and face are at higher risk. Depending on the hazard, a visor does not automatically replace safety eyewear – often the combination is what counts.

Overview: Facehead protection.

Buying safety eyewear (Switzerland): the 10 key selection criteria

A structured approach helps. These criteria are proven in practice:

1. Hazard & use case (workshop, lab, production, cleaning)
2. Design (safety glasses, goggles, visor)
3. Fit/size (no pressure points, no slipping, sufficient coverage)
4. Side protection & sealing (especially for dust/splashes)
5. Lens material (e.g. polycarbonate – robust and impact resistant)
6. Coatings (scratch resistant, anti-fog, possibly anti-reflective)
7. Compatibility with other PPE (mask, helmet, hearing protection)
8. Wearing comfort during long shifts (weight, contact points, ventilation)
9. Consider reduced vision – possibly prescription safety eyewear
10. Maintenance & replacement (cleaning, storage, replacement when scratched)

If you need support with selection or standardisation, see Service.

Practical check: “Does my safety eyewear fit correctly?”

• It sits securely without pressure points on the nose/ears.
• It covers the eye area sufficiently, including the sides.
• It does not restrict your field of view.
• It does not fog up persistently (or fog can be managed with anti-fog solutions).

Once the basic selection is clear, it is worth looking at two common practical cases: glasses wearers and eyewash stations in the workplace.

Special case: glasses wearers – overglasses or prescription safety eyewear?

Glasses wearers often face a practical question: how can vision stay sharp without compromising protection?

Overglasses – fast, flexible, often ideal for visitors

Overglasses are worn over corrective eyewear. This is practical, but not always comfortable for everyday use. Important: sufficient space, good side protection and a design that does not fog up constantly.

Category: Overglasses.

Prescription safety eyewear – often the long-term solution

If safety eyewear is worn daily and you are a glasses wearer, prescription safety eyewear is often the most comfortable option: protection and correction in one system.

Overview: Prescription safety eyewear and partner search via Search opticians.

Quick decision guide

• Occasional use / visitors: usually overglasses
• Daily use / shift work / long wearing times: usually prescription safety eyewear
• Dust/splashes + glasses wearers: depending on the environment, goggles + a suitable solution (trying on/consulting helps)

Fogging, comfort and everyday usability: what really helps

Fogging typically results from a combination of moisture (breath/sweat), temperature differences and insufficient airflow. In practice, the following helps:

• Fit first: poorly fitting eyewear fogs up faster.
• Suitable coatings: anti-fog/anti-reflective options are useful for long wearing times.
• Cleaning & care: film and residue increase fogging and reduce visibility.

Quick care routine

• Rinse off coarse dirt with lukewarm water
• Clean gently (avoid aggressive agents)
• Dry/wipe with a suitable cloth
• Scratches/blind spots = clear replacement criterion (visibility comes first)

Further care instructions for eyewear are linked directly on the respective product pages in the shop. For gentle cleaning, a bath solution such as UNIclean – Cleaning bath for spectacles can also be helpful – especially when safety eyewear is used daily and clear vision needs to be maintained.

Eyewash stations in the workplace: how to implement eyewash reliably

Eyewash: what it must deliver

In an emergency, an eyewash station must be quickly accessible, reliable and positioned so affected persons can reach it without detours.

Overview: Eyewash.

Tap-mounted eyewash: practical when the water connection fits

A tap-mounted eyewash can be very practical if a suitable water connection is available and the use/changeover in daily operation is clearly defined.

Product page: UNICOeyewash.

Implementation in the workplace: location, instruction, upkeep

• Location: where the risk occurs – clearly visible and freely accessible.
• Instruction: employees must know where the eyewash is and how to activate it.
• Upkeep: regular functional checks to ensure reliability in an emergency.

Support and training: Service or Contact.

Implementation in the workplace: standards, responsibilities, documentation

A practical concept includes more than procurement:

• Risk assessment per workstation (which hazard, which design)
• Standardisation (a few suitable models instead of many individual solutions)
• Replacement criteria (scratches, damaged components, poor visibility)
• Documentation/verification (conformity, product documentation)

For internal approvals and documentation, you can retrieve product-related evidence via Conformity.

Conclusion: next steps

Start with a short risk analysis: where are mechanical, chemical or optical risks present – and which employees are particularly affected (e.g. glasses wearers, tasks with masks/helmets)? Then select suitable safety eyewear by design and comfort, define care and replacement rules – and check whether your eyewash station is in the right place and practiced by the team.

If you want support: Service or Contact.