As a construction worker, you encounter practically every outdoor element there is—snow, heavy rains, high winds and bright sunlight. At this time of year, bright sunlight sounds ideal for many workers. However, as you know, once you’re encountering the glares associated with sunlight again, you’ll remember just how important eyewear is.
And no eyewear will protect you from bright glares and UV rays quite like polarized safety glasses, as they provide a wide array of benefits, concerning your overall eye health, along with your comfort on the job.
Why Buy Polarized Safety Glasses?
First and foremost, polarized safety glasses will ensure your eyes are safe, as they’ll protect you from nearly 100% of UVA, UVB and UVC rays, much like sunscreen protects your skin from the sun. Not only will your eyes be safer, but the potential for eye damage will decline as well, as they’ll minimize the eye strain that’s correlated to bright sunlight and glare. Your eyes will no longer be tired from overuse, and you’ll notice any fatigue or migraines you previously had will begin to decrease.
At the same time, your depth perception will improve substantially. And you’ll be able to see everything more clearly and vibrantly. This enhancement in your overall visual performance is key as you work on your jobsite and complete a variety of potentially dangerous tasks. Clear vision will not only lead to less errors, but a decline in injury risks and downtime, too. And, as a result, your productivity—as well as your employer’s bottom lines—will increase.
To notice each of these benefits firsthand, consider the following five polarized safety glasses. Each offering will not only improve your eye health and job performance, but also provide you a variety of other benefits, ranging from a decline in slippage, to protection from particles.
1. 3M Virtua CCS Polarized Safety Glasses
3M Virtua CCS Polarized Safety Glasses.
As a result of their anti-fog lens coating, these glasses can be worn in highly humid environments. Not to mention, they have a removable, foam-lined gasket too, which has airflow vents. Aside from enabling you to wear them in very humid conditions, the gasket will also reduce your eyes’ exposure to dust, along with any other particles you may encounter on the job. Due to their designs, the glasses meet ANSI Z87.1-2020 requirements as well. And they can absorb 99.9% of all UV rays, via their polycarbonate lenses. Additionally, they have wrap around designs that will increase your eye protection, while ensuring you have unobstructed viewing, too.
Best Features: Anti-fog lens coating; foam-lined gasket with airflow vents
Price: $10.72 – Buy polarized safety glasses on Amazon.com
2. Bullhead Safety Sawfish Polarized Safety Glasses
Bullhead Safety Sawfish Polarized Safety Glasses.
Highly durable and comfortable, these glasses feature nose pieces and temple ends that are comprised of thermoplastic rubber, ensuring they won’t slip off your nose. Hard coat-treated, enabling them to eliminate any potential for scratches, the glasses also filter 99.9% of all UVA, UVB and UVC rays. Furthermore, since they’re polarized, they will decrease your eye fatigue and glare, while diminishing all reflections off of bright surfaces, too. Featuring Performance Fog Technology—a hydrophilic, anti-fog coating that deters moisture—the glasses will protect you in extremely foggy and wet conditions, too. And nearly anyone can wear them, as they can fit on various face shapes.
Best Features: Performance Fog Technology; thermoplastic rubber nose pieces
Price: $39.99 – Buy polarized safety glasses on Amazon.com
3. Edge TSMAP218 Dakura Polarized, Wrap-Around Safety Glasses
Edge TSMAP218 Dakura Polarized, Wrap-Around Safety Glasses.
Offering a variety of lens colors—aqua precision blue mirror, copper, G-15 silver mirror and smoke—these glasses feature wrap-around frames that are very comfortable, durable and flexible. In addition, their frames will provide you extensive peripheral views, enabling you to see more without having to turn your head. Meanwhile, the glasses also have straight temple arms that will eliminate any potential pressure on your temples, leading to additional comfort. Able to block 99.9% of all UV rays, the glasses provide Tapered Lens Technology too, which will diminish your eye fatigue and visual distortion. And they’re compliant with ANSI/ISEA Z87.1+2015 standards, concerning eye and head protection.
Best Features: Straight temple arms; Tapered Lens Technology
Price: $21.99 - $28.41 – Buy polarized safety glasses on Amazon.com
4. Ergodyne Skullerz Dagr Polarized Safety Glasses
Ergodyne Skullerz Dagr Polarized Safety Glasses.
Comprised of polycarbonate (80%) and nylon (20%), these glasses feature scratch-resistant lenses that are able to block 99.9% of all UVA, UVB and UVC rays. Featuring a robust, nylon frame that can be bent and flexed without ever breaking, the glasses also have a rubber nose piece, along with rubber temples. As a result, they’ll remain securely on your face, while resisting sweat, too. Able to meet ANSI Z87.1+ requirements, the glasses can withstand high impacts as well, enabling them to be utilized on a long-term basis. Additionally, they’ll decrease any glare you encounter as you work in bright environments, resulting in less eye fatigue.
Best Features: Bendable and flexible nylon frame; scratch-resistant lenses
Price: $30.50 – Buy polarized safety glasses on Amazon.com
5. KleenGuard V30 Nemesis Polarized Safety Glasses
KleenGuard V30 Nemesis Polarized Safety Glasses.
Featuring black frames, along with smoke lenses that have outer mirror coatings, these glasses are especially ideal for days in which the sun is extremely bright, as they reduce glare considerably. Due to their lenses, the lightweight glasses meet ANSI/ISEA Z87.1+ standards, with regards to personal eye protection. After all, the polycarbonate lenses offer 99.9% UVA, UVB and UVC protection. Aside from their lenses, the glasses also feature a flexible, patented FLEX DRY nose piece, which ensures sweat will remain away from your eyes, thereby preventing any potential slippage down your nose. As a result, you’ll be able to comfortably wear them throughout your shifts.
Best Features: FLEX DRY nose piece; smoke lenses with outer mirror coatings
Price: $48.95 – Buy polarized safety glasses on Amazon.com
Things to Know about Polarized Safety Glasses
How exactly do polarized safety glasses reduce glares?
Whenever the sun emits light, a vertical wavelength is created. Once this wavelength is reflected off of something shiny—from equipment, to snow, to water—it will rebound at a horizontal wavelength instead, resulting in glare. Due to their filter, polarized safety glasses can block this wavelength from your eyes and protect you from any glares.
Should polarized safety glasses be ANSI certified?
Yes. Your glasses must meet ANSI standards, in order to ensure they’ll effectively protect you from the sun, along with dust, sand and objects that may accidently hit them as you work.
How durable are polarized safety glasses?
Your glasses should be built to last for years, as they’ll withstand bends, drops, overstretching and scratches. The durability of the glasses is completely tied to their manufacturers and the components they use to create them. Do your homework to ensure you purchase the most durable option possible.
Learn about performance ratings for safety glasses in this IRONPROS article!
