AS/NZS 1337.1:2010 is the Australian and New Zealand standard for non-prescription occupational eye protectors. It specifies the minimum impact resistance, optical clarity, coverage, and marking requirements that safety glasses and goggles must meet to be used in Australian workplaces. Compliant eyewear must be marked AS/NZS 1337.1 directly on the lens or frame (not only on the packaging), with an impact class (F, B or A) and an optical class (1, 2 or 3). Prescription safety glasses are covered by the separate standard AS/NZS 1337.6:2012.
AS/NZS 1337 Markings — Quick Reference
| Marking | Meaning |
|---|---|
| AS/NZS 1337.1 | Non-prescription eye protectors (standard safety glasses + goggles) |
| AS/NZS 1337.6 | Prescription eye protectors (prescription safety glasses) |
| Impact class F | Low impact — 45 m/s |
| Impact class B | Medium impact — 120 m/s |
| Impact class A | High impact — 190 m/s |
| Optical class 1 | Premium clarity (precision work, driving) |
| Optical class 2 | Standard (most industrial use) |
| Optical class 3 | Reduced clarity (short-duration use only) |
ANSI Z87.1 is the US standard and is NOT equivalent. Imported safety glasses marked only with ANSI Z87.1 do not meet the Australian requirement — look for AS/NZS 1337 markings directly on the lens or frame.
Why Eye Protection Matters in Australian Workplaces
Safety glasses are the single most important piece of PPE for a huge range of trade and industrial tasks — and one of the most commonly worn incorrectly. According to Safe Work Australia, eye and face injuries account for a significant proportion of serious workplace claims each year, with the majority caused by flying particles, dust, and chemical splash. Almost all are preventable with the right eye protection worn correctly.
The challenge is that "safety glasses" covers a wide range of products — from basic polycarbonate spectacles to sealed foam-gasketed glasses, photochromic lenses, and over-glasses designs for prescription wearers. Choosing the wrong type doesn't just reduce protection; in Australian workplaces, it can put you outside of your WHS obligations under AS/NZS 1337.
This guide covers every type, lens option, and feature you need to know — and how to match them to the actual hazard in front of you.
Types of Safety Glasses by Frame Construction
The frame type determines what directions your eyes are protected from and how well the glasses seal against airborne particles. There are five main frame constructions, each suited to different environments.
Standard Spectacle-Style Safety Glasses
These look like conventional glasses and offer front and partial side protection. They are the most common type in general light industrial, workshop, and laboratory environments. Polycarbonate lenses give them solid impact resistance, but the open sides mean they don't seal against fine dust or chemical mist. If your hazard is primarily projectiles and flying debris — not dust or liquid splash — spectacle-style glasses are the right choice and the most comfortable for all-day wear.
Look for a wraparound lens profile (curved lens that extends toward the temple) rather than a flat lens with bolt-on side shields. Side shields do not provide equivalent protection to a true wraparound frame — there is a gap at the hinge that particles can enter. If the standard says side protection is required, the frame needs to deliver it by design, not by addition.
Wraparound Safety Glasses
Wraparound frames curve around the sides of the face, eliminating the gap at the temple. This is the most common frame style on Australian worksites and in industrial environments. They provide protection from the front and sides, are lightweight, and are available across all lens tints and features. The Mack, Frontier, Bolle, and Ugly Fish ranges stocked by most Australian PPE suppliers are predominantly wraparound designs.
For most grinding, woodworking, belt sanding, linishing, general fabrication, and outdoor construction work, a good-quality wraparound safety glass is the correct choice. See our belt sander and linisher guide for the full dust and eye protection requirements specific to belt sanding operations.
Foam-Gasketed Safety Glasses
Foam-gasketed glasses (also called foam-lined glasses) have a soft foam seal around the inside of the frame that sits against the skin. They don't fully seal like chemical splash goggles, but they block fine dust and airborne particles that would otherwise enter through the gap between a standard frame and the face. They are significantly more comfortable than full goggles for extended wear.
Foam-gasketed glasses are the right choice for environments with fine particulate — grinding and cutting operations, angle grinding, concrete and masonry work, and dusty construction environments. They are a middle ground between a standard safety glass and a full goggle. AIMS stocks the Mack Fender range with foam gasket in both clear and smoke lenses.
Over-the-Glasses (OTG) Safety Glasses
OTG safety glasses are designed to fit over a standard pair of prescription spectacles. They have a larger frame profile with a wider nose bridge and extended side sections to accommodate the underlying glasses. They are useful for occasional or temporary eye protection tasks where a prescription wearer needs to quickly put on eye protection without switching to prescription safety glasses.
For regular or full-day use, OTG glasses have meaningful limitations: they are heavier, more prone to fogging (two lens surfaces, reduced airflow), and often don't provide as close a fit to the face. If you wear prescription glasses and need eye protection for most of your working day, prescription safety glasses are the better solution. OTG glasses are covered in more detail in the prescription wearers section below.
Hybrid Safety Glasses / Goggles
Some designs bridge the gap between a safety glass and a sealed goggle — they feature the lightweight profile of glasses with a foam or rubber seal around the entire perimeter of the lens, plus ventilation ports to reduce fogging. These provide more comprehensive protection than gasketed glasses without the full discomfort of chemical splash goggles. They suit environments with both impact risk and moderate dust or particulate exposure.
Safety Glasses vs Safety Goggles: Which Do You Need?
Safety glasses and safety goggles serve different hazards. Glasses are designed for impact and debris protection — they don't seal completely to the face. Goggles provide a sealed environment around the eye, protecting against fine dust, liquid splash, chemical mist, and vapour. Choosing between them depends entirely on the nature of the hazard.
| Hazard | Safety Glasses | Safety Goggles |
|---|---|---|
| Flying chips and debris (grinding, cutting) | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes (overkill for most tasks) |
| Coarse dust (woodworking, concrete) | ✅ Wraparound or gasketed | ✅ Yes |
| Fine airborne dust (angle grinding, masonry) | ⚠️ Gasketed glasses only | ✅ Yes — preferred |
| Chemical splash / liquid hazard | ❌ No | ✅ Yes — sealed goggle required |
| Chemical vapour / mist | ❌ No | ✅ Indirect-vent or sealed goggle |
| UV / welding arc (general) | ⚠️ Only with correct shade lens | ⚠️ Only with correct shade lens |
| Laser hazards | ⚠️ Only rated laser eyewear | ⚠️ Only rated laser eyewear |
| General outdoor construction | ✅ Wraparound | Usually unnecessary |
The key rule: if the hazard can enter from around the lens or under the frame, you need a goggle. If the hazard is primarily from the front or sides in the form of discrete particles or debris, a quality wraparound safety glass is the right tool. When in doubt about chemical hazards specifically, use a sealed goggle — the consequences of getting it wrong are not recoverable.
When goggles are mandatory under AS/NZS standards
Australian WHS regulations and site safety requirements often specify goggle use for:
- Handling hazardous chemicals, acids, and caustics (direct splash risk)
- Grinding operations above certain thresholds in confined spaces
- Any task where risk assessment identifies fine particulate that can bypass glasses
- Working with pressurised liquid systems
- Some medical and laboratory environments
Your site's Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) or job hazard analysis should specify which standard is required. If it doesn't, consult your WHS officer — defaulting to the higher protection level is always correct.
Lens Tints: Clear, Smoke, Amber, Mirror and Photochromic
Lens tint is not an aesthetic choice. Each colour has a specific optical purpose and is suited to particular lighting conditions and tasks. Using the wrong tint reduces visibility, increases fatigue, and can introduce new hazards — a dark tinted lens worn indoors under artificial light, for instance, reduces light transmission to the point of impaired vision.
| Lens Tint | Light Transmission | Best For | Avoid When |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clear | ~90% | Indoor workshops, general manufacturing, night work, any low-light environment | Prolonged bright outdoor sun |
| Smoke / Grey | ~20–30% | Bright outdoor sunlight; true colour perception maintained | Indoor or low-light — dangerously dark |
| Amber / Yellow | ~65–75% | Low-light, overcast, dawn/dusk, dusty or hazy environments; boosts contrast | Colour-critical work (distorts hue perception) |
| Mirror | ~10–20% | Extreme outdoor glare — open cut mining, roofing, water work | Indoors or partly shaded environments |
| Blue Mirror | ~15–25% | Bright outdoor, specific welding observation applications | Any dim or indoor environment |
| Photochromic | ~15–85% (auto) | Mixed indoor/outdoor work — adjusts automatically to light level | Environments where fast transition speed is critical |
Amber lenses for grinding: why tradespeople rate them
Amber and yellow lenses are popular for grinding and cutting because they boost contrast — the edge of a cut line or weld joint becomes more visually distinct. They also filter blue light, which reduces eye fatigue in environments with harsh artificial lighting. For dawn/dusk outdoor work or in poorly-lit workshops, amber is often the most practical choice. Many angle grinder operators keep a pair of clear glasses for indoor use and amber for low-light or overcast site work.
Photochromic safety glasses: the trade-off
Photochromic lenses (also marketed as transition lenses in safety glass ranges) automatically darken in bright light and clear in lower light. For tradespeople who move constantly between indoors and outdoors — plumbers, electricians, construction workers — they eliminate the need to carry two pairs. The limitation is transition speed: most photochromic safety glasses take 20–40 seconds to fully darken and up to 2–3 minutes to fully clear, which can create a brief visibility gap when you move rapidly between environments. In very hot conditions, the darkening reaction can also be slower.
Lens Features Explained
Beyond the tint, safety glass lenses carry a range of coatings and treatments. Understanding what each does — and what it doesn't do — helps you match the right pair to the actual conditions on the job.
Anti-Fog Coating
Anti-fog coating is a hydrophilic (water-attracting) surface treatment that prevents condensation forming on the lens. It is particularly valuable in humid environments, when moving between temperature extremes (cool store to warm ambient, or vice versa), and when wearing glasses under a face shield or in combination with other PPE that restricts airflow.
The honest reality: anti-fog coatings are not permanent. Under normal daily use, the coating degrades over approximately 12 months. In hot, humid, or heavy-use conditions — grinding, foundry work, outdoor construction in summer — degradation can occur within 4–6 months. Signs the coating is failing include persistent fogging that doesn't clear, and a smudgy or hazy appearance that can't be cleaned off.
Some manufacturers build the anti-fog treatment into the lens material itself (a hydrophilic layer within the polycarbonate) rather than as a surface coating. These dual-sided or infused anti-fog lenses tend to last significantly longer than surface coatings alone. Look for this specification if longevity is important.
Anti-Scratch Coating
Polycarbonate lenses are impact-resistant but relatively soft — they scratch more easily than glass or acrylic. Anti-scratch coatings extend lens life significantly but don't make lenses scratch-proof. The coating itself wears down over time, particularly if glasses are cleaned with abrasive materials, placed face-down on rough surfaces, or stored loose in a tool bag.
Once scratching impairs vision — particularly in the central field of view — the glasses should be replaced. Scratched lenses are not a minor cosmetic issue: they create glare, reduce contrast, and can cause eye strain and reaction lag on moving machinery.
UV400 Protection
UV400 means the lens blocks all ultraviolet light up to 400nm wavelength — this covers both UVA and UVB radiation. For outdoor work in Australian conditions, UV protection is not optional. Standard polycarbonate lenses inherently block most UV, but not all. Confirm UV400 rating if you are working outdoors for extended periods, particularly in high-UV regions (northern QLD, NT, WA outback, high-altitude sites).
Clear indoor safety glasses typically do not carry UV400 rating — this is correct, as they are not designed for outdoor sun exposure.
Polarised Lenses
Polarised lenses reduce glare from reflected horizontal light — sunlight bouncing off flat surfaces such as water, concrete slabs, metal sheeting, and wet roads. They are valuable for workers on open construction sites, near water (marine, waterway infrastructure), roofing, and road work in bright conditions. Polarised safety glasses are available in smoke and mirror tints.
The limitation of polarised lenses is that they can make it harder to read LCD or LED displays (the polarisation filter interacts with screen backlighting to create darkening at certain angles). For workers who regularly need to read digital displays on equipment, polarised glasses can cause issues.
Lens Material: Polycarbonate vs Trivex
Almost all non-prescription safety glasses use polycarbonate lenses. Polycarbonate is the industry standard for good reason: it is extremely impact-resistant, lightweight, inherently provides some UV protection, and is relatively inexpensive to manufacture. For standard occupational safety glasses, polycarbonate is the appropriate choice.
Trivex is an alternative lens material primarily used in prescription safety glasses. It offers slightly better optical clarity than polycarbonate (lower chromatic aberration), is comparably impact-resistant, and is somewhat lighter. Trivex is more expensive and is primarily relevant when optical precision matters — prescription wearers doing detail work, for instance. For non-prescription general use, the optical quality difference between polycarbonate and Trivex is not practically significant.
Glass lenses are not used in safety glasses. Standard glass shatters into fragments on impact and offers no meaningful impact protection in an occupational context.
Safety Glasses for Prescription Wearers
If you wear prescription glasses, you have three options for eye protection: over-the-glasses (OTG) safety glasses, prescription safety glasses, or contact lenses under standard safety glasses. Each has appropriate use cases.
Over-the-Glasses (OTG) Safety Glasses
OTG glasses fit over your existing prescription spectacles. They are the lowest-cost and most immediately accessible option. They work well for occasional, short-duration tasks — when a visitor to a site needs eye protection, for tasks that last under an hour, or as emergency backup.
For regular daily use, OTG glasses have clear limitations. The doubled frame weight causes discomfort and nose bridge pressure over a full shift. The space between the OTG lens and the prescription lens creates additional fogging. The fit around the face is rarely as close as a single-frame design. If you wear prescription glasses and eye protection is a daily requirement for most of your working hours, OTG is a workaround, not a solution.
Prescription Safety Glasses (AS/NZS 1337.6)
Prescription safety glasses are purpose-made to AS/NZS 1337.6 — the Australian/New Zealand standard specifically covering prescription (plano-powered) eye protectors. They combine corrective lenses with the impact resistance and coverage requirements of occupational safety eyewear. They are single-frame, lighter than OTG combinations, and available across all lens tints and features.
The cost is higher — typically $150–$350 for a quality pair — but for daily-use situations, the comfort, compliance, and protection advantage is significant. In many workplaces, prescription safety glasses provided or subsidised by the employer are the correct WHS approach for prescription wearers doing ongoing hazardous tasks. Specsavers, OPSM, and specialist safety eyewear providers supply prescription safety glasses to AS/NZS 1337.6 in Australia.
Bifocal Safety Glasses
Bifocal safety glasses have a reading magnification segment built into the lower portion of the lens — functionally equivalent to reading glasses — while the upper lens provides distance vision and impact protection. They suit tradespeople who need to read fine markings, technical drawings, or instrument displays without switching to reading glasses. They are available in polycarbonate with standard safety glass impact ratings.
Contact Lenses Under Safety Glasses
Wearing contact lenses under safety glasses is generally acceptable in Australian workplaces for most tasks. The exception is chemical splash environments — if a chemical contacts the eye, the lens can trap the substance against the cornea and complicate emergency irrigation. In chemical handling environments, consult your WHS documentation on whether contact lens use is permitted. For most grinding, metalwork, and general industrial tasks, contacts under standard safety glasses are not a problem.
Understanding AS/NZS 1337: What the Markings Mean
AS/NZS 1337 is the Australian and New Zealand standard series covering eye and face protectors for occupational applications. It specifies the minimum impact resistance, optical quality, coverage, and marking requirements that safety eyewear must meet to be used in Australian workplaces.
The two most relevant parts
- AS/NZS 1337.1:2010 — Non-prescription eye protectors (standard safety glasses and goggles)
- AS/NZS 1337.6:2012 — Prescription eye protectors (prescription safety glasses and goggles)
What the marking on the lens means
Compliant safety eyewear must be marked directly on the lens or frame — not only on the packaging. The marking typically includes the standard number (AS/NZS 1337.1 or 1337.6), an impact protection class, and an optical class. When you pick up a pair of safety glasses, look for the marking on the inside of the lens or frame arm. If it's not there, the glasses are not compliant for occupational use in Australia regardless of what the box says.
| Marking | Meaning |
|---|---|
| AS/NZS 1337.1 | Compliant with AU/NZ standard for non-prescription occupational eye protection |
| AS/NZS 1337.6 | Compliant for prescription eye protection |
| Impact Class (e.g., F, B, A) | F = low impact (45 m/s); B = medium impact (120 m/s); A = high impact (190 m/s) |
| Optical Class 1 | Premium optical clarity — required for precision work and driving |
| Optical Class 2 | Standard optical quality — suitable for most industrial tasks |
| Optical Class 3 | Reduced optical quality — limited to short-duration use only |
Eye Protection by Task: Choosing the Right Type
The right safety glasses depend on the specific hazard profile of the task. Here is a practical breakdown by the most common industrial and trade applications.
Grinding and Cutting (Angle Grinder, Cut-Off Wheel, Bench Grinder)
Grinding produces high-velocity metal particles and grinding media fragments. This is one of the higher-risk tasks for eye injuries — fragments travel at speed and are typically small enough to not be visible until they cause injury. A medium-impact rated (Class B) wraparound or foam-gasketed safety glass is appropriate. Amber or clear lenses are preferred for contrast; smoke lenses reduce visibility in the typical workshop environment. Anti-fog is a valuable feature for prolonged grinding in warm conditions.
For heavy grinding or cutting operations, consider foam-gasketed glasses to block fine metallic dust in addition to impact fragments.
Where practical, secure the workpiece in a bench vice before starting any grinding or cutting task. Clamping the work removes the need to hold it near the cutting zone and reduces the risk of contact injury if a disc catches or the workpiece shifts unexpectedly.
Hacksaw work on metal rod, pipe, angle, and section also generates chips and swarf that can reach eye level. Safety glasses are essential. For blade selection — TPI, material, and tooth form — see the AIMS Hacksaw Blade Guide.
Welding
Welding requires shade-rated filter lenses to protect against arc flash and UV/IR radiation. Standard safety glasses — even dark tinted ones — do not provide adequate protection for arc welding. For full guidance on welding eye protection including shade numbers by process and current, see our Welding Eye Protection Guide.
Chemical Handling and Fluid Systems
Any task with a splash risk from chemicals, acids, caustics, cleaning agents, or hydraulic fluids requires sealed chemical splash goggles, not safety glasses. The risk assessment should specify indirect-vent or direct-vent goggles depending on whether vapour exposure is also a concern. Safety glasses — including foam-gasketed designs — do not provide adequate protection against liquid splash from below or the side.
Woodworking and Carpentry
Woodworking generates coarse chips and fine sawdust. A good quality wraparound safety glass handles the chip hazard. For prolonged sanding, routing, or working with fine timber dust, foam-gasketed glasses are preferable as they prevent fine particles from entering around the frame. Clear lenses are standard for indoor workshop use; amber for low-light environments.
Outdoor Construction and Roofing
Outdoor construction presents combined UV, glare, and debris hazards. Smoke or mirror-tinted wraparound glasses with UV400 rating and anti-scratch coating are the standard choice. Polarised lenses are valuable for sites with high reflective glare — concrete, water, metal sheeting. Photochromic lenses suit workers who move frequently between shaded and exposed areas. Foam-gasketed glasses are appropriate if significant dust exposure is present (concrete cutting, earthworks).
Laboratory and Chemical Processing
Laboratory environments typically require AS/NZS 1337.1-compliant sealed goggles due to the range of chemical hazards. Clear indirect-vent goggles are the standard specification. Check the site's chemical risk assessment for any specific lens material requirements — some solvents can attack polycarbonate over time in splash scenarios.
Electrical Work
Electricians and electrical tradespeople need eye protection for arc flash risk and general debris from drilling, stripping, and termination work. Clear safety glasses are standard for general electrical work. For live work where arc flash risk is present, arc-rated face shields may be required in addition to or instead of safety glasses — consult AS/NZS 4836 (live electrical work) and your site electrical safety procedures.
Caring for Your Safety Glasses
The performance of safety glasses degrades with wear, cleaning method, and storage conditions. A pair that is physically intact but has a scratched central lens or a failed anti-fog coating is not performing its specified function — and may give a false sense of protection.
Cleaning correctly
Rinse lenses under clean water before wiping — wiping a dry lens moves particles across the surface and creates micro-scratches. Use a soft microfibre cloth or the lens cleaning cloth provided with the glasses. Avoid paper towels, dry rags, and clothing — these are abrasive. Lens cleaning spray or mild soap is appropriate; avoid solvents (acetone, methylated spirits) as these attack polycarbonate and anti-fog coatings.
Anti-fog lenses should not be wiped aggressively — the coating is a treated surface layer. A light rinse and gentle pat dry preserves the coating longest.
Storage
Store safety glasses in a case or hang them on a hook — not face-down on a bench. Placing glasses lens-side down is the most common cause of premature scratching. Keep them away from solvents and heat sources; high temperatures accelerate the degradation of anti-fog coatings and can warp polycarbonate frames over time.
When to replace safety glasses
Replace your safety glasses when any of the following apply:
- Scratches in the central lens area that impair vision or cause glare
- Persistent fogging that does not clear — indicates failed anti-fog coating
- Lens crazing (fine surface cracking from UV exposure or solvent contact)
- Frame damage that affects the fit or coverage
- Foam gasket on gasketed glasses has compressed or become rigid
- After any significant impact — even if no visible damage is present (the lens absorbs impact energy and may be weakened)
As a general rule, safety glasses used daily in industrial environments should be assessed for replacement every 12 months regardless of appearance. The anti-scratch and anti-fog coatings have a functional lifespan whether or not visible damage is present.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Australian standard for safety glasses?
The Australian standard for non-prescription safety glasses is AS/NZS 1337.1:2010. For prescription safety glasses, the standard is AS/NZS 1337.6:2012. Both standards specify minimum impact resistance, optical clarity, and coverage requirements. Compliant eyewear must carry the standard marking on the lens or frame — not just on the packaging. Australian workplaces are required to provide eye protection that meets these standards under state and territory WHS legislation.
What's the difference between safety glasses and safety goggles?
Safety glasses have an open frame that does not seal fully against the face — they protect against impact and debris from the front and sides but do not seal against fine dust, chemical splash, or vapour. Safety goggles have a sealed or gasketed frame that sits against the skin around the entire eye socket, providing protection against liquid splash, fine particulate, and chemical mist. For most grinding, cutting, and general industrial tasks, safety glasses are appropriate. For chemical handling, pressure washing, and fine dust environments, goggles are required.
What are foam-gasketed safety glasses used for?
Foam-gasketed safety glasses have a soft foam seal around the inside edge of the frame that sits against the skin and blocks fine airborne particles that would enter around a standard frame. They are appropriate for tasks generating fine dust — angle grinding, concrete cutting, masonry, earthworks, and dusty construction environments. They are more comfortable than full goggles for extended wear but do not provide chemical splash protection. The foam seal should be inspected regularly and the glasses replaced when the seal compresses or hardens.
Can I wear safety glasses over my prescription glasses (OTG)?
Yes — over-the-glasses (OTG) safety glasses are designed for this purpose and are AS/NZS 1337.1 compliant when marked as such. They are a practical solution for occasional or short-duration tasks. For workers who need eye protection for most of the working day, OTG glasses are less comfortable than prescription safety glasses (AS/NZS 1337.6) due to the double frame weight and increased fogging between lenses. If eye protection is a daily requirement, prescription safety glasses are the better long-term solution.
What does AS/NZS 1337 marked on the lens mean?
The AS/NZS 1337 marking on the lens or frame confirms that the glasses have been tested and comply with the Australian/New Zealand standard for occupational eye protection. The marking should appear directly on the lens or frame — not only on the packaging. Glasses marked only on the box but not on the lens or frame cannot be verified as compliant in the field. When auditing PPE compliance on site, check the marking on the glasses themselves, not the box they came in.
Do ANSI Z87.1 safety glasses comply with Australian standards?
No. ANSI Z87.1 is the United States standard for occupational eye protection and is not equivalent to AS/NZS 1337.1 for Australian workplace purposes. Some imported glasses circulating in Australia carry only the ANSI Z87.1 marking. These glasses may offer genuine impact protection, but they have not been certified to the AS/NZS standard and do not satisfy the legal requirement in Australian workplaces. Only glasses marked AS/NZS 1337.1 (non-prescription) or AS/NZS 1337.6 (prescription) on the lens or frame meet the Australian requirement.
How long do anti-fog coatings last?
Anti-fog coatings on safety glasses typically last 6–12 months under normal daily use. In hot, humid, or heavy industrial conditions — grinding, foundry work, outdoor construction in Australian summer — the coating can degrade in as little as 4–6 months. Signs of coating failure include persistent fogging that doesn't clear and a hazy or smudgy appearance that can't be cleaned off. Some manufacturers offer infused or dual-sided anti-fog treatments built into the lens material rather than applied as a surface coating — these tend to last longer.
What lens tint is best for grinding?
Clear lenses are standard for indoor grinding in a well-lit workshop. Amber or yellow lenses are preferred by many angle grinder operators as they boost contrast, making the edge of a cut or weld joint easier to see — particularly in workshop conditions with mixed or harsh fluorescent lighting. Smoke or dark tinted lenses are not appropriate for indoor grinding as they reduce visibility in the work zone. For outdoor grinding in bright sunlight, smoke or amber are both suitable.
Are polarised safety glasses suitable for industrial use?
Yes, where the task involves reflected glare from flat surfaces — open construction sites, roofing, waterway infrastructure, concrete and paving work. Polarised lenses filter horizontal reflected glare and significantly reduce eye fatigue in high-glare outdoor conditions. The limitation is that polarised lenses can interfere with reading LCD and LED displays, making some digital instrument readouts appear dark or invisible at certain angles. If your work involves regular use of digital displays, test a polarised pair before committing to them for a full team.
Do safety glasses expire or need replacing?
Safety glasses do not have a formal expiry date, but their functional performance degrades with use and age. Anti-fog and anti-scratch coatings have a limited service life, polycarbonate yellows with UV exposure over time, and foam gaskets on gasketed glasses compress and lose their seal. Best practice is to assess safety glasses for replacement every 12 months for daily industrial use, and to replace immediately after any significant impact (even without visible damage), when lens scratching impairs vision, or when fogging is persistent despite cleaning.
Can I use regular sunglasses as safety glasses at work?
No. Standard sunglasses do not meet AS/NZS 1337.1 requirements and should not be used as occupational eye protection. Sunglass lenses are not tested to the impact resistance standards required for industrial use and will not carry the AS/NZS 1337 marking. In the event of an eye injury while wearing non-compliant eye protection, this can affect workers' compensation and liability outcomes. Safety glasses designed for outdoor use are available in tinted and polarised versions that provide both UV and impact protection to the required standard.
What safety glasses do I need for working with chemicals?
For tasks with any risk of chemical splash — handling acids, caustics, cleaning chemicals, hydraulic fluids, or pressurised chemical systems — you need sealed chemical splash goggles, not safety glasses. Safety glasses do not provide adequate protection against liquid entering from below or around the frame. Choose indirect-vent goggles for chemical vapour environments or where fine mist is present; direct-vent goggles are appropriate where splash only (no vapour) is the hazard. Verify the goggle's chemical compatibility with the specific substances involved, and ensure the lens material is not attacked by the chemicals being handled.
Browse AIMS Industrial's full range of safety glasses and eye protection — including Mack, Frontier, Prochoice, and Bolle models in standard, foam-gasketed, OTG, and goggle designs.
