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Eye injuries are a significant and consistent concern in manufacturing, automotive, construction and other industrial environments. The data alone is alarming: According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2021-2022 there were nearly 50,000 nonfatal eye injuries and illnesses in the workplace—and that’s just for the private sector.
And beyond the serious implications for workplace health and safety, these injuries are undeniably costly. Workplace eye injuries cost businesses some $300 million a year in worker’s compensation, medical treatment and lost productivity, per OSHA.
Proper eye protection is crucial for reducing workplace risk—but choosing between safety glasses and safety goggles isn’t as easy as it looks. This guide will help you determine which protective eyewear is best suited for your jobsite.
Understanding Safety Glasses
Safety glasses are impact-resistant protective eyewear designed to safeguard the eyes from flying debris, dust and minor chemical splashes. While they might resemble standard, everyday eyewear, they’re made with stronger, more durable materials and often include side shields and other features for added protection. Many models qualify as ANSI Z87.1 safety glasses, ensuring compliance and impact resistance.
Industry Applications
◆ Construction & Manufacturing: Protection from flying wood, metal and plastic debris
◆ Warehousing & Logistics: Shields against airborne dust and light-impact hazards
◆ Workshops & Maintenance: Keeps out particles from grinding or sanding work
Pros
✅ Lightweight and comfortable for all-day wear
✅ Available with anti-fog, anti-scratch and tinted lenses
✅ Allow for better ventilation, reducing lens fogging
✅ Often more stylish and widely accepted
✅ Available as OTG safety glasses, made to wear over prescription glasses
Cons
❌ Limited side and underneath protection, compared to safety goggles
❌ Not ideal for environments with excessive dust, chemicals or liquid exposure
Understanding Safety Goggles
Safety goggles provide a full seal around the eyes, offering protection from liquids, fine dust, chemical splashes and high-impact hazards. These impact-resistant safety goggles are typically used in environments where glasses may not provide adequate coverage, especially in laboratory safety and chemical splash scenarios.
Industry Applications
◆ Chemical Handling & Laboratories: Protection from chemical splashes and fumes
◆ Medical & Biohazard Environments: Prevents exposure to infectious materials
◆ Construction & Woodworking: Shields eyes from fine sawdust and flying debris
◆ High-Impact Work: Ideal for tasks like metal grinding, where shards and sparks fly
Pros
✅ Offers full, all-angle protection from liquid splashes, chemicals and fine dust
✅ Creates a sealed barrier and reduces risk of airborne contaminants entering eyes
✅ Many models function as OTG goggles that fit over the glasses
✅ Often made with anti-fog protective goggles technology to prevent misting
Cons
❌ Can lead to fogging, especially in humid environments
❌ May be heavier, bulkier and less comfortable for extended wear
❌ Reduced airflow can cause sweating and discomfort
Choosing Proper Protection for Your Worksite
It’s important to take a few things into consideration when determining what the right supply of protective eyewear looks like for your worksite. These five steps are a good place to start:
1. Assess Workplace Hazards: Identify whether your site has certain risks like impact debris, chemical exposure or high levels of dust particles.
2. Consider Worker Comfort: If workers need eye protection for extended periods of time, consider the weight, feel and comfort level. When someone removes his or her glasses due to discomfort or fatigue, they’re immediately putting themselves at increased risk of injury.
3. Check Compliance Standards: Ensure the eyewear meets ANSI Z87.1 safety standards for impact resistance and splash protection.
4. Combine Protection as Needed: For extreme environments, safety glasses can be worn under goggles for double-layered protection.
5. Pay Attention to Special Features: Some safety goggles come with indirect venting to reduce fogging, while some wraparound safety glasses offer extra side protection.
So Which Is Right for Me?
General rule of thumb: Choose safety glasses if your worksite involves low to moderate impact hazards and minimal dust or liquid exposure. Go with safety goggles if you need full-seal protection from chemical splashes, fine dust or airborne contaminants.
Ultimately, selecting the right eye protection glasses depends on the specific hazards in your workplace. Ensuring workers have the proper PPE eye protection will enhance safety, improve compliance, and reduce workplace injuries.
Protective Eyewear Solutions from NorthSky
At NorthSky, our premiere selection of safety glasses and goggles is carefully crafted to keep different types of workforces safe, comfortable and compliant. Our Olympia brand PPE goggles and glasses are rigorously tested, retested, and tested again—all to ensure they’re fully aligned with ANSI-rated industry standards.
Whether you need construction safety glasses, lab safety goggles or anti-fog protective goggles that fit over prescription lenses, we’ve got you covered. See for yourself today.
