Making the choice of safety glasses easier

Power utility workers operate in some of the toughest environments around, which makes eye protection a non-negotiable part of the job. But safety glasses aren’t one-size-fits-all.

Lineworkers and other utility employees work outside, often at height. They do precision work that requires clear, unobstructed vision. During maintenance or emergency repairs, they can be exposed to dust, heat, high UV levels, humidity, cold and damp weather, rapidly changing light conditions and glare off highly reflective surfaces.

Each of these factors places different demands on eye protection, and a generic, site-wide approach to safety glasses can fall short. The solution? A simple vision playbook built around lens and frame selection for conditions and tasks.

How does this work?

Having a playbook can help power utility operators streamline procurement and save on buying glasses that don’t tick the right boxes. They can select the right glasses, then standardise the choices across teams, test during shutdowns and capture feedback to refine the spec, ensuring workers have the glasses they need to stay safe, compliant and productive.

Eye protection specialist Bollé Safety supports operators in selecting appropriate glasses, offering a Safety Eyewear Decision Guide.

Factors to consider in selecting safety glasses.

The guide allows operators to build out their playbook around a range of factors including lens selection, anti-fogging protection and compatibility with other PPE.

Matching lenses to site conditions.

Hot and humid conditions can cause lenses to fog, making it difficult to see and potentially increasing the risk of mistakes or injury. Safety glasses with anti-fog coatings help workers maintain clear vision. Sealed safety glasses are suitable for dusty or splash-prone environments.

Working in changing light.

Work in the sector rarely happens under consistent lighting! From bright outdoor sunlight and high UV exposure to overcast conditions, shadows or low-light environments, different jobs require different lens tints to maintain visibility. For example, clear lenses provide unobstructed, natural vision for indoor tasks performed under stable lighting. In low-light conditions, amber-tinted lenses can help enhance contrast and depth perception.

Copper-tinted lenses can help improve clarity without blocking too much light. Copper lenses also offer a practical balance across changing light conditions. They are ideal when a job takes workers from inside to outside. A darker tint in these situations may reduce visibility when workers move back inside. In harsh outdoor settings with strong sunlight, smoke-tinted lenses can offer greater visual comfort. Polarised lenses help reduce glare when working around surfaces such as metal roofs and concrete that may reflect light.

Compatibility with other PPE.

Safety glasses often need to be worn alongside hard hats, face shields, earmuffs and respirators, which can make for an uncomfortable experience. Glasses that offer flexible, thin arms can improve comfort and encourage consistent use.

A secure fit for working at height.

Power workers need to climb and work at heights. Glasses that slip or fall can distract workers, create hazards or be damaged or lost. Straps help prevent glasses from falling and provide a secure fit.

Some workers also require prescription safety glasses.

Bollé Safety ranges that tick the box for utilities.

Bollé Safety’s Rush+ 2.0 and STKS safety glasses are well-suited to a variety of work environments and jobs in the power utility sector.

Rush+ 2.0

These glasses feature:

• Choice of lens tints, including clear, copper, bronze, amber and smoke.
• Option of foam gasket and adjustable strap kit for extra protection.
• A wraparound, rimless style.
• Flexible nosepiece and flexible temple arms that are comfortable even when worn with other PPE.

STKS

This model comes with:

• Generous integrated side shields and upper brow protection.
• Choice of clear, smoke, mirrored and polarised lenses.
• Prescription options for precise vision correction.
• Fashionable, stylish looks, much like regular sunglasses.

Both models are available with Bollé Safety’s PLATINUM anti-fog and anti-scratch coating. Under the EN166 standard for anti-fogging, lenses must resist fogging for a minimum of eight seconds when subjected to a steam test. Lenses with the PLATINUM coating resisted fogging for 15 minutes in independent testing.

Bollé Safety APAC Trade Marketing Manager Tamara Mika says it’s hard to underestimate how valuable it is to have an in-house product and design team working to develop fit-for-purpose safety glasses.

“We do one thing and that's our safety eyewear, and we do it well. We believe in looking after people and protecting their eyes.”

Available at Blackwoods - Your utilities solutions partner.

 As Australia’s leading supplier of industrial solutions, Blackwoods has everything you need to keep your operations running smoothly. Check out Bollé Safety’s Safety Eyewear Decision Guide for more options. For additional support, contact your Blackwoods technical specialist.

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