SEE SAFETY IN A DIFFERENT LIGHT


Proving that safety doesn’t necessarily mean you have to compromise


on style, Jim Lythgow, at Specsavers Corporate Eyecare, discusses the importance of ensuring safety eyewear is both stylish and comfortable so that employees are likely to wear them for longer.


The way people perceive glasses has changed hugely and many people now see them as fashion accessories rather than simply something to correct their eyesight. Designer brands are in high demand and people wear glasses to make a statement, rather than wanting them to be unobtrusive. While safety eyewear has a very specific purpose and functionality is key, it should not be surprising that there are trends here too.


Perhaps the most recent trend in safety eyewear is not about how they look but when and where they are worn. Our corporate account managers are coming across more and more cases of safety mangers instigating policies of 100% safety eyewear. For example, if a manufacturing facility has areas or roles where safety eyewear is required, rather than restrict the obligation to certain employees, the whole factory floor becomes a safety eyewear zone.


While this may well be a sensible option to protect the eyes and eyesight of all employees, there are implications to consider. A policy of 100% safety eyewear generally means that employees will be likely to have to wear safety eyewear more often and for longer periods. This means that it becomes even more vital that it is well-fitted and comfortable.


Indeed, several pieces of research by Specsavers Corporate Eyecare have shown that employees are more likely to remove safety eyewear, when it is not safe to do so, because of lack of comfort. The only real way to ensure that safety eyewear, or any eyewear for that matter, is comfortable, is to have the opportunity to physically try it on. While few people may buy their everyday glasses from a catalogue or online, it is amazing how many safety managers might be willing to buy something as important as safety eyewear in this manner.


Trialling safety eyewear, and preferably trying a few different styles, is the best way to find out what is most comfortable. Safety eyewear should also be fitted by a professional who will check that it is suitable for


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purpose in terms of fit around the temples, and across the bridge of the nose, for example.


Providing over goggles for those who wear everyday glasses is, thankfully, a fading trend. Employers tend to realise now that this is not an appropriate option due to the discomfort of wearing two sets of appliances, and the refraction caused by two sets of lenses. This is where prescription safety glasses become invaluable, especially in an area where a policy of 100% safety eyewear is in place, so wear is likely to be more frequent and for longer spells.


Trends in terms of actual fashion should not be ignored, even for prescription safety eyewear. This seems to go against the theory that safety eyewear is all about functionality and protection but, if eyewear can meet safety requirements and look good, then it is a win-win situation. Specsavers Corporate Eyecare’s research has also shown, on several occasions, that people are more likely to actually wear their safety eyewear if they like its aesthetics.


Prescription safety eyewear has progressed a long way in recent years and is now available in a large variety of different colours and styles. There are male and female designs, made from different materials, with different finishes. Prescription safety eyewear has even met with high-street trends to the extent that wrap-around style glasses are now available.


www.specsavers.co.uk/corporate www.tomorrowshs.com


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