AN ESTIMATED 2,000 people a day injure their eyes on the job, according to Prevent Blindness America. About 90 percent of these injuries could be prevented by taking proper precautions … like safety eyewear.
The Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) requires that eye protection meet the 2010 version of the ANSI/ISEA Z.87.1 standard. This covers a safety frame, a certain lens thickness based on the Rx and the lens material, generally polycarbonate or a safety grade Trivex. Some ECPs have developed a niche by becoming specialists in prescription safety eyewear and generate additional business devising programs for employers to protect their employees’ eyes at work.
Wiley X
ANSI Z87.1 rated XL-1 Advanced features a matte black frame, removable Facial Cavity Seal and interchangeable smoke grey and clear lenses.
(800) 776-7842, wileyx.com
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HOYA
ZT45 8-base black safety eyeglasses with an Array Wrap or Sync Wrap lens
(800) 818-4692 hoyaoptics.com
Kenmark Group
W036 from Wolverine
(800) 627-2898, kenmarkoptical.com
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Pyramex Safety Products
Emerge frame with a full reader +1.5 or +2.0 lens or a prescription lens
(800) 736-8673, pyramexsafety.com
Hilco
Industrial Safety Frames OG240S and OG225S
(800) 955-6544, hilcovision.com
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Armourx
Armourx 7102 in pink with the side shields removed
(877) 938-2100, armourxsafety.com
Essilor Prescription Safety
Prescription safety glasses with either Varilux, Crizal or Transitions lenses
(800) 553-9705, essilorpse.com
Smart Ways to Sell Safety Eyewear
Dr. Linda Chous
United Healthcare and The Glasses Menagerie, Minneapolis, MN
Workplace eye safety isn’t just about working in a factory anymore, but working at a computer too. A lot of employers have contracts with safety frame companies; I often provide the Rx but they get the eyewear through the employer. I tell them to “come back after and our optician will make sure they fit.” We offer this at no charge. We’ve developed relationships with employers and see their employees through a vision care plan. We make sure their HR person understands the importance of eye safety and we’ll go in and discuss it with their staff. It helps my business to be seen as an expert and reinforces the need for regular eye exams so there are no accidents on the job.
Ken Herchuck
Prescription Safety Glasses, Shannon Optical, Castle Shannon, PA
Prescription safety eyewear is the staple of our business. We custom design programs for employees of manufacturers, mostly in Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Ohio. First, we assess their needs (e.g., if they need side shields). The trend now is a one-piece wrap. Some popular wrap frames are the ZT200 from HOYA and Hilco’s OnGuard collection. Armourx has a better selection for women. We find polycarbonate is the most impact resistant and 90 percent of the time poly is what we use. In the past three years, Trivex has become available as a polarized Transition. But, poly is still the most cost-effective. We do our own finishing on site so this gives us a leg up on quality control as we can double-check lenses before we edge them.
