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The frames used for safety glasses are notably stronger than regular sunglasses frames. They are typically heat resistant and will often have similar impact resistance as lenses with Z87 standards. Nylon is the key ingredient to these stronger frame types. It is a lightweight material that has exceptional durability.

Moist air will typically condense inside your glasses when they are at a lower temperature. Many manufacturers add an anti-fog coating to their safety glasses during the manufacturing process. If you are not lucky enough to purchase a pair with this coating, there are anti-fog sprays on the market that can do the same job. Also try Rain-X, vinegar, and even your own saliva will work to prevent your glasses from fogging up.

In most cases, safety goggles are stronger than safety glasses so they will provide higher impact protection as well as more protection from chemical splashes, sparks, and dust. If you grind any type of metal and sparks are involved, safety goggles must be worn. Having a seal over the eyes will protect against airborne metal and particles. Indirect vented safety goggles are a good choice for these specific tasks.

Gradient lenses are lenses that fade from one color to another. They are typically darker near the top edge to protect your eyes from overhead brightness and gradually lighten to provide clearer forward vision in the viewing center of the safety glasses.

Most safety glasses have a UV coating added to the polycarbonate in order to protect the users from UV (Ultra-Violet) rays. Most safety glasses offer some form of UV protection. Make sure to check the labels and tags. In most cases they will block up to 99.9% of all harmful UV rays.

The lenses of most safety glasses are made from either recycled or virgin polycarbonate. Polycarbonate is a naturally transparent, shatter proof material that has a higher impact resistant than either glass or plastic.

You may often see a Z87 or Z87+ label on the lens or frames of your safety glasses. This label refers to levels of impact resistance. A Z87 label offers a “basic” level of impact resistance. The Z87+ label offers a high level of impact resistance. The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) determines these levels based on various forms of testing.

The rubber in the frame, nose pads, and temples of your safety goggles can be damaged from the effects of heat and cold. They should always be kept in a clean, dust proof container when not in use. Cleaning your goggles should be done in a manner that does not scratch or affect the anti-fog coating on the lenses. A disinfectant should be used to sterilize them for the next use.

Moist air will typically condense inside your goggles when they are at a lower temperature. Ventilated safety goggles are the best option to prevent this occurrence and many of the newer goggles on the market have anti-fog coatings already applied. If new goggles aren’t an option, an anti fog coating/spray, Rain X, vinegar, and even your own saliva will also work with most unventilated safety goggles.

Many safety goggles are specifically made to allow for prescription eyewear to be worn underneath. This design, however, does make them bulky, sight restricting, and sometimes uncomfortable to wear. The solution is a prescription eye shield made specifically for goggles. This option is expensive but if you rely on your goggles for your livelihood and safety, it is a worthwhile option.

In most cases your employer will provide the necessary safety eye protection that is needed for your particular environment. If you need them for recreation or personal use, you’ll first want to assess the hazards that may be present with the activity you are involved in and then determine the type of eye protection you’ll need. Our safety goggles information page may help in your decision.

Traffic signs are usually manufactured with either a rustproof steel or rustproof aluminum base which makes them highly durable and weather resistant. They also can be manufactured with a reflective vinyl coating which helps vehicles see them easier at night without the need for illumination.

A traffic sign will not reflect light on its own. A reflective material will often be placed over the bare aluminum or steel on a traffic sign to make it reflect light. The location and application of the traffic sign will ultimately determine the sheeting intensity that should be used. Reflective sheeting can come in (in order of reflective intensity) engineer, high intensity, and diamond grade.

The thickness of a traffic sign will vary from sign to sign. The widely accepted thickness is typically .080″ or 80 mil aluminum. An 80 mil aluminum traffic sign is difficult to bend, will not rust, and is highly durable. Thinner signs can be used but will require frequent replacing.

The Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, or MUTCD defines the standards that are administered by road managers nationwide. It defines how to install and maintain traffic control devices on all public streets, highways, bikeways, and private roads open to public. The most current version of the MUTCD can be found here, in PDF format.