Author: NGoodale

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Safety glasses and other eye protection are an essential PPE requirement in a wide range of job roles. From dust particles to wayward shards of concrete, wood, glass and even sparks from welding – all of these to name just a few are a clear and present danger to your eyesight. The EN Spec EN166 is the European standard for safety eyewear, with all manufacturers being independently tested on a range of attributes. The frames and lenses are tested, and as a prerequisite – both parts must have the CE logo and manufacturers logo.

The Frames

Safety glasses/goggles will have their markings usually on the inside part of the arms. It is essential that this marking is shown, otherwise the frames of the safety glasses may not have been tested, voiding any claims they are EN166 from the start. If this is the case, our suggestion would be to put them down and notify the shop keeper, and see if there are an alternative pair. Failing that, you may have to shop elsewhere. If the correct marking is on the eyewear, you will notice a combination of numbers and letters. These signify the different levels of protection which they are effective against.

Frame shape

3 – Any eyewear with a 3 rating will protect against liquid droplets and splashes. This is a rating usually given to glasses and goggle which offer a full seal around the eyes, ensuring penetration from liquids is kept to a bare minimum.

4 – Type 4 is designated to eyewear which will protect the eyes from larger dust particles, over five microns in size.

5 – Any safety eyewear with a type 5 rating, will keep the eyes safe from dust and fine dust particles, which are less than 5 microns in size.

Frame strength (these marking can also appear on lenses)

• S – withstand impacts against small objects travelling up to 12 meters per second
• F – withstand impacts against small objects travelling up to 45 meters per second
• B – withstand impacts against small objects travelling up to 120 meters per second
• A – withstand impacts against small objects travelling up to 190 meters per second
• T – withstand impacts at extreme temperatures

Frame strength is determined by a letter, and frames can have a combination of the above markings to denote their effectiveness.

Lenses

Lens Markings

The lenses of safety glasses differ in rating criteria, due to the fact they are the main protective part of the glasses or goggles – and they can fall under a number of different safety specifications. There are a number of factors which can determine the overall suitability for your specific role, and just how effective they are.

Optical Quality

Optical quality is measured in three classes.

1 – Class 1 High optical, quality suitable for regular use. Refractive power of ± 0.06
dioptres.
• 2 – Class 2 Medium optical, quality suitable for occasional use. Refractive power of
± 0.12 dioptres
• 3 – Class 3 Low optical, quality suitable for exceptional use. Refractive power of
±0.25 dioptres

Radiation protection

• 2 – UV Protection (EN170). The number 2 indicates the filter may effect colour
recognition
• 2C or 3 – UV Protection (EN170). The number 2C (previously 3) indicates the filter
allows good colour recognition
• 4 – Infrared Protection (EN171). i.e. protection from heat
• 5 – Solar Protection (EN172). i.e. 100% UV sun glare protection – with no infrared
(IR) protection
• 6 – Solar Protection (EN172). i.e. 100% UV sun glare protection – with infrared (IR)
protection

Strength of the lens

• F – withstand impacts against small objects travelling up to 45 meters per second
• B – withstand impacts against small objects travelling up to 120 meters per second
• A – withstand impacts against small objects travelling up to 190 meters per second
• T – withstand impacts at extreme temperatures.

Lens Shading

• 1.2 – Allows more than 74.4% light transmission, but less than 100%
• 1.7 – Allows more than 43.2% light transmission, but less than 58.1%
• 2.5 – Allows more than 17.8% light transmission, but less than 29.1%
• 3.1 – Allows more than 8.0% light transmission, but less than 17.8%

Here at Mammoth Workwear, we value your safety on site. Click our logo below to view Our extensive range of PPE, including Safety Goggles.

This week is tinnitus awareness week, and we thought we should share some information with you. Did you know that Tinnitus is one of the most common health problems in the UK? It is suggested that around 10% of our general population suffers from this at any given time. This can be quite a distressing, and contrary to common belief it can occur across all age groups.  Whether that be from power tools, environmental sounds such as machinery, or even going to see your favourite metal band!

So what  is Tinnitus?

A misconception of Tinnitus it is a disease or illness – this isn’t true at all – it can more accurately described as one type of work related Noise Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL). It is a an auditory symptom which generates a noise in the ears, or what what feels like inside the head itself. This noise can vary from being a low or high pitched sound – a buzzing, or droning sensation, or a combination of sounds which are perceived with no external source. Others have described it as a  whistling,  or humming – it often varies quite a lot between people. The cause of this hearing issue still hasn’t been fully understood, but it is thought that it is associated with hearing loss.

As the ears are exposed to loud sounds, the tiny hairs inside the ears can get damaged, which will make Tinnitus more noticeable to the person suffering from it. Stress and anxiety is also often touted as a possible cause, but this hasn’t been totally proven as of yet, so it isn’t fully clear if it contributes to the onset of Tinnitus, however it could be more noticeable if you are under stress or suffer from anxiety. Ear infections have also been noted to contribute to the symptoms.

Defending against Tinnitus

So what can you do to cure this? Currently there isn’t a definitive cure for Tinnitus, however the BTA (British Tinnitus Association) are striving to find a long term solution for this. Thankfully in some cases which have been studied, over time the noises will get better and in some cases will disappear entirely. This is due to a process called habituation, where the brain stops registering or taking interest in the signal which causes the sound. The time for this to happen is totally unique to each individual case.

In order to reduce the chances of developing tinnitus in the workplace, it is essential to follow your companies PPE guidelines accordingly. These regulations are to safeguard you and your health, and that includes your ears if you work in an environment where loud noises are commonplace. Essentially when working in or around loud noises, you will need ear protection. Here are some examples of products which can help reduce noise levels:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Resources:

Source: www.helpinhearing.co.uk

Source Document here.

British Tinnitus Association website

to view our comprehensive range of  EN352 Ear Protection please click our logo below

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Work gloves are essential when working with hazardous materials or in environments where you could damage your hands or lack sufficient grip protecting your hands against damage and contamination is very important.

There are many chemicals that will cause damage or invoke an allergic reaction if they come into contact directly with your skin. Some more poisonous and toxic chemicals can even be absorb through the skin, and this could lead to serious complications such as skin infections, skin cancers or dermatitis.

Before choosing the correct protective gloves you need to be aware of the dangers your workplace presents; be that chemical, mechanical or thermal hazards.

Safety work gloves are manufactured to meet a specific criteria pertaining to the conditions in which they will be used such as; rigger gloves for heavy work or nitrile gloves for fabrication and metal works.

If you’re working outdoors, the chances are you will need sturdy gloves that will be more durable, and resistant to tearing and punctures.

So what work gloves are best for me?

What gloves you need are totally dependent on your job role, and what type of protection you need.

Winter and Cold Store Gloves.

Cold store environments and winter weather requires a pair of glove which can offer exceptional thermal protection, whilst still allowing your hands to have maximum dexterity.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Heat Protection Gloves

Working alongside sources of heat and open flames, and environments where you can be exposed to sources of ignition, sparks and electric arc – your hands will benefit from specifically designed work gloves to protect from these hazards. Primarily for fabricators and welders who often operate power tools such as grinders and welding irons, products such as welding gauntlets are indispensable as they will also protect the lower arm too. Combined with suitable flame retardant PPE, you will be totally protected.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Medical and Food Contamination Work Gloves

Gloves used for both medical and food industries are usually made from a nytrile material, and are designed to be single use, disposed of after a shift to reduce the risk of cross contamination. Their lightweight and unobtrusive design ensures that workers in the medical industries especially, are given a great level of dexterity to perform their duties. They will also offer a liquid and water resistant barrier to protect the hands, as well as keep them safe from cross contamination. In food processing plants where operatives will often handle raw produce, these great single use gloves can be coupled with oversleeves to protect the arms, and to stop the contamination of the produce itself.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chemical Protection Gloves

For workers who are exposed to corrosive chemicals on a daily basis, it is imperative that their work gloves are suitable for the job at hand. Chemical protective gloves come in a number of different materials, all of which offer very different protective properties. If you are unsure about what type of glove you need, the HSE Guide for chemical protective gloves will help you.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cut protection Gloves

Working with machinery that has moving mechanic parts, and sharp tools such as saws and nails – your hands need to be protected against cuts, abrasion and punctures. Job roles which may see these hazards include manufacturing, engineering and woodworkers. Cut protection will only offer so much protection however, and when working with chainsaws, you will need specially reinforced gloves designed for this purpose. Chainsaw gloves differ to regular cut resistant work gloves which offers its protection by the fabric its manufactured from, offering improved tensile strength which is more than enough to keep the hands safe from the majority of cut an abrasion hazards. They are usually reinforced with additional layers of leather, and are padded with special fibres which are designed to help bring the blade to a stop when they’re exposed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Anti-vibration Gloves

Many industrial and construction workers work with machinery and heavy power tools such as jack hammers and pneumatic drills, where they can be exposed to intense and prolonged vibration. Over time this exposure can lead to a loss of feeling in the fingers and decreased dexterity, contributing to conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome and hand-arm vibration syndrome. Anti-vibration work gloves are made to help aide the reduction of vibration, but should never be considered as a total solution. Taking regular breaks and limiting your time spent on machines on a daily basis well further reduce the chances of developing any HAVS.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Grip Gloves

When you’re carrying awkward objects and working with raw building materials, enhanced grip is always welcome. There are a range of gloves engineered to improve the quality of your grip, whilst still offering excellent range of movement and comfort.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Click on our logo below to view our extensive selection of safety work gloves, in addition to a fantastic range of PPE and work clothing.