Safety goggles & eye protection: A clear view of workwear

The importance of safety goggles in the food industry

When producing high-quality food, things can sometimes get in your eye – quite literally. From splashes to splinters, there are various risks that can cause irritation or, in the worst case, impair your eyesight. Safety goggles prove their worth, for example, when carrying out the following tasks:

• Cleaning work using strong cleaning agents and disinfectants

• Handling fine powders, such as flour

• Cooking with intense steam and hot spices

• Chopping onions or other foods that may splatter

• Shredding and sawing bone fragments in meat production

In many workplaces, for example, scratch-resistant safety goggles – with or without tinted lenses – are part of the mandatory protective equipment and are therefore an indispensable item for staff, whether worn over other spectacles or on their own. By providing reliable protection for the eyes, they enhance safety in this sensitive area of the body. Ultimately, it is not only the person but also the product that is protected. This is because, in the event of sudden contamination or injury to the eye, those affected often instinctively rub their eyes, which not only damages the eyes but also breaches food hygiene regulations.

The wide range of safety goggles and eye protection

The product range is as comprehensive as the areas of application. There is a variety of products available that offer different types of protection whilst still providing the necessary comfort. In addition to classic safety goggles with side arms, full-view safety goggles with a headband are also available, for example. Even tinted welder’s goggles for use in environments with flying sparks are available. Where particularly comprehensive protection is required, helmet mounts with swivel elements and matching face shields or visors made of polycarbonate are the ideal choice. As with the entire Ehlert range, quality is a top priority when it comes to safety goggles. That is why you will find leading brands such as Honeywell and Uvex here.

It is important that the protective equipment is as scratch-resistant as possible and can withstand the hazards associated with the tasks at hand. The provisions of EN 166 apply to general requirements for personal eye protection. Furthermore, for those who wear spectacles, care must be taken to ensure that the spectacles can be combined with the safety goggles and worn as a sort of over-glasses. Alternatively, prescription spectacles offer the option of having lenses with the correct prescription fitted into the safety goggles. Last but not least, comfort is also crucial, as poorly fitting glasses can also pose a safety risk.

When it comes to workwear, safety goggles or a polycarbonate face shield are rarely sufficient on their own to protect the eyes – personal protective equipment usually consists of several components, which may also include respiratory protection and hearing protection.

What is the best way to store safety goggles and similar items?

Although safety goggles and other eye protection are sometimes particularly scratch-resistant, they should still be stored carefully between uses. For businesses, this means, above all, that there should be a designated storage area. As well as shelving with suitable compartments, specialised plastic storage boxes or protective cases are particularly well-suited to ensuring optimal storage. This protects the frames and lenses, ensuring the goggles are in the best possible condition to provide proper protection for staff in the food processing industry. In addition, regular cleaning with mild cleaning agents is recommended.

Improving health and safety at work with Ehlert

Just as with product quality, there is no room for compromise when it comes to health and safety at work. Employees deserve the highest level of protection combined with the best possible comfort – whether they are working in cold stores, operating machinery or handling various ingredients. All of this requires well-fitting, high-quality equipment. Ideally, you can conveniently order all the items you need from a supplier such as ourselves.

Gustav Ehlert GmbH supplies equipment for all sectors of the food industry: from suitable workwear such as Work gloves From packaging right through to the spices that add the finishing touch. Thanks to our many years of experience in the industry, we know what matters and have tailored our products accordingly. Take a look around our shop and conveniently stock up on everything you need.