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Useful guides

European Standards for vision protection

Safety glasses, goggles and face masks

To protect vision at work, special personal protective equipment such as safety glasses, goggles (mask-type glasses) or face masks (shields and special visors) are necessary. These PPE are classified according to the Standards for Vision Protection - EN Standards.

Protection against UV-A and UV-B rays

Since the protection from dangerous UV-A and UV-B radiation normally provided by the ozone layer in the atmosphere is constantly decreasing, it is necessary to protect our eyes from the sun. Even on cloudy days, some UV rays are absorbed by the clouds and our eyes need to be protected.

For this reason, all LUX OPTICAL glasses from Axion Cotton filter out 99.9% of UV rays..

Special features:

  • Lenses with polarizing filter: these lenses provide greater comfort in environments with a lot of reflections (snow, white sand, glass, mirrors, etc.).
  • UV400: for lenses with additional protection at 400nm against cyan light, which follows UV light (up to 380nm) and are certified for 100% protection against UV rays.
  • IR: infrared light follows visible red light, but is invisible to the human eye and causes heating of the surfaces and bodies it reaches.
  • EN 1836 lenses - sunglass lenses are manufactured to protect the wearer from the dangerous effects of sunlight and are differentiated according to a CE Scale Number (e.g. 5, 2-1.2 etc.). The European Standard EN 1836 classifies lenses into 5 categories, which are differentiated according to the percentage of light absorbed by the lens:
  1. Category 0: Absorption rate 0-20% for comfort.
  2. Category 1: Absorption rate 20-57% for low sunlight.
  3. Category 2: Absorption rate 57-82% for medium sunlight.
  4. Category 3: Absorption rate 82-92% for strong sunlight.
  5. Category 4: Absorption rate 92-97% for high sunlight.

Warning: all lenses in Category 1 and above are unsuitable for night driving. The absorption of UV rays takes place inside the lens and is independent of its tint.

Lens colours, Vision Protection Standards - EN Standards and recommended use

Lens Colour CE Scale Number EN Standard Emission % visible light Cat. EN 1836 Features
IR5 5 EN169 1.18-3.16% N/A Suitable for use in low to moderate IR environments such as welding, cutting or steel fabrication. Unsuitable for driving.
Clear 2-1.2 ΕΝ170 90% 0 General use offering maximum visibility. Indoor lenses for mechanical work or for work at dawn, dusk or night. Ideal safety lens for mechanical protection.
Amber 2-1.2 EN 170 89% 0 Maximum contrast in low light environments such as warehouses. Blocks 87% of cyan light at high levels of sharp detail and colour rendering. Provides a brighter image in early morning or evening and on cloudy or foggy days. Recommended for night shift workers, surface inspectors and engineers.
I/O mirror 5-1.7 EN172
UV400 		53% 1 Colourless UV400 lenses with soft gold coating for indoor and outdoor use. 100% UV protection. Without colour alteration. Suitable for indoor or outdoor workers, e.g. forklift drivers or distributors.
Brown 5-2.5 EN172 23% 2 Increases perception between light and shadow, especially in forests. A low visible light emitting colour that improves visual accuracy and enhances colour perception, suitable for all light conditions.
Smoke 5-2.5 EN172 17% 3 Protects eyes from excessive light and high levels of visible light and UV rays without altering colours. Ideal for outdoors, especially on sunny days. General purpose protection lens.
Green 3-3 EN170
UV400 		16% 3 Green UV400 lens. Offers protection from strong glare and 100% protection from dangerous ultraviolet (UV-A & UV-B) radiation. Alternative to the Smoke lens.
Fire Red 5-3.1 EN172 14% 3 Reduces excessive solar glare. Dark lens without colour gradation. Usually used outdoors on days with strong sun. The mirror reflects part of the light, reducing the amount of light passing through the lens.
Dark Smoke 5-4.1 EN172 6% 4 For extremely bright sunlight and highly reflective conditions, but not suitable for driving. Recommended for activities in high mountains and against glare from clear surfaces such as snow, sand buildings.
Polarized Dark Smoke 5-4.1 EN172 6% 4 Ideal for extremely bright and direct sunlight and high glare conditions, but not suitable for driving. Recommended for activities in high mountains. Blocks reflected light waves (from water, mirrors, snow) and improves contrast. 100% UV protection.

Standards for vision protection - EN Standards : Characteristics marked on the frame (frame marking)

The frame marking shows:

  • the identity of the manufacturer
  • the number of the Standard
  • the symbol for the impact resistance (e.g. F indicates protection against low energy high speed objects, while S indicates that the frame has General Enhanced Resistance)
  • the CE symbol

Standards for vision protection - EN Standards : Characteristics marked on the lens (lens marking)

The marking of the characteristics of the lens (lens marking) indicates:

  • The CE classification number of the lens
  • The identity of the distributor
  • The optical classification
  • The impact resistance
  • The CE symbol

E.g. the number 1 indicates optical quality class 1 out of 1, 2 and 3 (1 = for permanent use and precision work), F indicates protection against low energy high speed objects, while S indicates that the lens has General Enhanced Resistance.

Caution: colorless lenses with a shade category of 1-1.2 filter 99% of dangerous UV up to 380nm, but do not protect against direct sunlight. Smoke lenses that list shade category 5-2.5 offer adequate protection from direct sunlight. Class 5 green lenses offer protection against infrared (IR) radiation during electrowelding at an upper gas flow of 200 litres/hour.

List of Standards for Vision Protection

  • EN 166: Specifications (optical quality, resistance to normal hazards, mechanical hazards, impact resistance)
  • ΕΝ 169: Electrostatic precipitators
  • ΕΝ 170: Ultraviolet filters
  • ΕΝ 172: Solar reflection filters for industrial use
  • ΕΝ 175: Electrowelding equipment
  • ΕΝ 379: Soldering filters with variable or double shading
  • ΕΝ 1731: Face shield with mesh
  • EN 1836: Solar reflective filters for entertainment and sports

Note: all our Lux Optical models have been tested according to ΕΝ 166:2001.

Maintenance of Personal Eye Protection Equipment: should be kept out of direct sunlight and away from corrosive chemicals. Lenses should be cleaned with a soft cloth in lukewarm water with soap and disinfected with common household disinfectants.

Axion Cotton's expertise and experience is at your disposal for the right choice of eye protection

Whatever your needs for protective eyewear or face shields, Axion Cotton's expert consultants will help you make the right choice. For more information please contact us.

Resources

General information about safety glasses:
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eye_protection
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goggles
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Welding_goggles

Legislation and information about standards for safety glasses (in English):
- http://www.elinyae.gr/el/lib_file_upload/220A-94.pdf
- http://www.elinyae.gr/el/lib_file_upload/TYPOP.1103193105796.pdf

Further resources on Personal Protective Equipment and in particular safety glasses (in English):
- Directive 89/656/EEC – use of personal protective equipment of 30 November 1989 on the minimum health and safety requirements for the use by workers of personal protective equipment at the workplace, OJ L 393 , 30/12/1989 P. 0018 – 0028.

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