Eye injuries are a significant and consistent concern in manufacturing, automotive, construction and other industrial environments. The data alone is alarming: According to the BLS, 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.
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.
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
Limited side and underneath protection, compared to safety goggles
Not ideal for environments with high levels of dust, chemicals or liquid exposure
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.
Offers full, all-angle protection from liquid splashes, chemicals and fine dust
Creates a sealed barrier, reducing the risk of airborne contaminants entering the eyes
Many models function as OTG goggles that fit over the glasses
Often made with anti-fog protective goggles technology to prevent misting
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
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:
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.
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, safety goggles for the lab or anti-fog protective goggles that fit over prescription lenses, we’ve got you covered.