Whether work or play, those in the marine environment are challenged with endless threats to eye safety. From harmful chemicals to the harsh UV rays reflecting off the water it is important to always take eye safety seriously.
IN THE SHIPYARD
According to the Maritime Advisory Committee for Occupational Safety and Health (MACOSH) all shipyards are advised to require personal protective equipment (PPE) to protect the employee(s) from exposure to workplace hazards. In bustling shipyards, there are many hazards that stem from machinery, piping systems and boilers, chemical-filled cargo, and even possible explosions during the intense cleaning process.
According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), PPE for shipyard standards includes safety glasses or safety goggles, respirators, hearing protectors, gloves, and steel-tipped safety shoes. All employees must follow the regulations while performing marine activities on the shore, pier, terminal, yard, shipyard, machine shop, and riverbank; as well as the vessels afloat or in drydocks or graving docks. When it comes to good eye protection, many factors need to be taken into consideration, such as frame, fit, and lens.
ON THE WATER
When fishing for work or play, it’s important to protect your eyes from hooks and lines and from harsh UV rays reflecting off the water. Your eyes are constantly scanning the water for fish or focused on navigation. Exhausted or fatigued eyes will negatively affect performance and compromise safety. Safety glasses are a necessary safety precaution and helpful tool while on the water. Most fishermen prefer polarized safety glasses but many high-end safety glasses have optical lenses that are beneficial even without the polarization. The best fishing safety glasses have optical lenses that filter out certain lighting, cut glare and enable fisherman to easily and clearly see fish below the surface, limbs, or vegetation in their way, or identify depth changes and drop-offs.
When on the boat it’s important to have maximum coverage, extreme comfort and wearability, and optical clarity to enhance contrast. Especially when on the water, a wraparound fit can protect from wind and from the sun reflecting off the water. For night fishing, a clear or yellow lens is preferred. Also, the material of the frame is key so that it does not corrode from salty air or water and a rubber, non-slip grip on the temples and nose pads are preferred to ensure that they never fall off during rough waters.
Check out BrandX Safety’s (BrandX) selection of safety glasses for the marine industry. While all of BrandX lenses have optical clarity, our polarized lenses reduce glare and our Neutral Gray intensifies the contrast of colors.
