Every year, thousands of construction workers suffer eye injuries on the job. In 2020 alone, more than 18,500 workers across the United States experienced eye-related injuries serious enough to require days away from work. Over 2,100 of those cases came from construction trades, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
As you’d expect, eye injuries are painful in so many ways for your organization and the victim — they’ll often lead to lost productivity, costly workers’ compensation claims, and long-term vision problems. In worst-case scenarios, the worker affected may lose their vision permanently, which will drastically change their lives.
The reality is that 90% of workplace eye injuries are preventable with the right protective eyewear, as noted by the American Academy of Ophthalmology. Unfortunately, some construction crews still rely on glasses that don’t meet modern standards and regulations, or they skip them altogether because they fog up, feel uncomfortable, or don’t fit well with other safety gear.
The result? More eye injuries.
For safety managers and construction leaders, choosing the best safety glasses for construction workersis more than a compliance box to check. It’s a simple, effective defense against preventable injuries. The right eyewear, like any form of personal protective equipment, balances ANSI-rated protection, jobsite practicality, and worker comfort so crews will actually wear them.
Why Proper Eye Protection Matters
Construction sites are some of the most hazardous workplaces in the U.S. Between flying debris, dust, sparks, and chemicals, a worker’s eyes are constantly at risk. Since your eyeballs are so delicate and vital, these accidents aren’t minor incidents that can be ignored or chalked up to acceptable loss. Many eye injuries lead to permanent vision damage or even blindness. Fortunately, OSHA has a standard to help prevent eye injuries.
OSHA Standard 1926.102 requires employers to provide appropriate eye and face protection whenever workers are exposed to hazards like flying particles, molten metal, chemicals, or harmful light radiation. Seems simple, right?
Due to issues with compliance and buy-in, eye protection continues to get ignored, or not even provided to workers. Whether it’s a welder who’s pretty sure they can get the job done quick or an executive who wants to cut costs by providing cheaper safety glasses, these small decisions can lead to permanent consequences.
The costs extend beyond just medical bills, too. Eye injuries often mean lost workdays, reduced crew efficiency, and potential liability issues for contractors. For large projects with tight deadlines, even one eye injury can trigger delays, impact client trust and take a worker off the front line permanently.
Construction Hazards for Eyes
Simply put, eyeballs are delicate. On any jobsite, workers face constant threats to their vision. Understanding the most common hazards makes it easier to choose eyewear that offers real protection. Here are just a few hazards that could lead to vision impairment and loss.
Flying Debris
Flying debris is one of the leading causes of eye injuries in construction. Wood chips, metal fragments, and concrete dust can strike at high speed, scratching or penetrating the eye. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, nearly 60% of workplace eye injuries happen when foreign objects or particles enter or abrade the eye.
Chemical Hazards
Paints, solvents, adhesives, and cleaning agents can splash or release vapors that irritate, burn, or melt eye tissue. OSHA notes that chemical splashes and harmful vapors are among the top hazards requiring protective eyewear, since even a few drops of corrosive liquid can cause permanent vision damage.
Environmental Hazards
Construction often takes place outdoors in harsh, unsafe conditions. Intense sunlight, welding arcs, and bright work lights can damage vision if you’re not wearing tinted or filtered eye protection. OSHA specifically requires protective lenses for workers exposed to radiant energy from welding and cutting.
Environmental factors like wind, dust, and extreme temperatures also pose a risk to workers’ vision. Safety eyewear can help prevent eye irritation, making it easier for workers to get the job done.
Finally, the American Optometric Association has found that fogging is one of the most common reasons workers fail to keep PPE on consistently. If glasses constantly obscure the wearer’s vision, they aren’t doing their job properly.
Types of Safety Eyewear for Construction Workers
Not all protective eyewear is the same, and some will be better for specific tasks. Each type is designed to defend against specific hazards, and choosing the right one depends on the work being done. Here are a few different types of common safety glasses, what they’re used for, and where they might fall short.
Wraparound Safety Glasses
Wraparound glasses are lightweight, comfortable, and designed to protect against flying particles. OSHA notes they are suitable for many general construction tasks.
- Pros: Lightweight, good side coverage, easy to wear with other PPE.
- Cons: Limited protection against chemicals and fine dust.
Safety Goggles
Goggles form a sealed fit around the eyes, offering stronger protection against dust, liquids, and splashes. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health recommends goggles for high-dust or chemical environments.
- Pros: Protects from dust and chemicals, available with anti-fog coatings.
- Cons: Can feel bulky, may be uncomfortable in hot conditions.
Face Shields
Face shields provide excellent full-face coverage but should always be worn with safety glasses or goggles underneath, since they don’t protect against fine particles. These will work best to control large flying fragments or chemical sprays.
- Pros: Broad coverage, guards both eyes and face.
- Cons: Not a substitute for glasses or goggles.
Welding Helmets
Hoods and welding helmets are required for welding, cutting, and molten metal work. They protect against heat, sparks, and radiant light that may be present during these tasks.
- Pros: Full coverage for high-heat and high-radiation work.
- Cons: Limited use outside specialized applications.
Respirator Facepieces
This is more of an honorable mention, but still important to bring up. Some respirators include facepieces that also act as eye protection, combining two functions in one. If you’re cutting concrete or working around airborne hazards, it might just make sense to use a respirator with a built-in face shield.
- Pros: Dual respiratory and eye protection.
- Cons: May require fit testing to control airborne hazards.
How to Choose Proper Eyewear
Choosing the best safety glasses for construction workers means balancing compliance, comfort, and jobsite practicality. Here are our recommendations for picking the best eye protection for the job.
Follow OSHA Standards
To start, get familiar with OSHA Standard 1926.102, which requires ANSI-rated eyewear for hazards like flying particles, chemicals, or radiant light. Look for markings that show compliance with the ANSI/ISEA Z87.1-2020standard (more on this below!)
Look for Essential Features
Not all eyewear is the same, and depending on your needs, you can probably find PPE with helpful improvements that take it beyond the basics. Features such as side and top shields, UV protection, and anti-fog coatings make eyewear more effective and practical on active jobsites.
Get a Good Fit with Other Gear
Eyewear must integrate with hard hats, respirators, or face shields comfortably, or you risk workers abandoning their PPE altogether. According to the US Department of Labor, taking time to get a proper PPE fit can increase usage and prevent injuries due to poor fit.
Explore New Tech
New technologies are always emerging and might offer efficient improvements for daily PPE. These innovations include anti-fog and cooling systems, AR overlays, and integrated communication headsets. These innovations can improve usability and compliance, but don’t adopt them just to say you’re on the bleeding edge. If new tech causes distractions, reduces protection, or introduces a new hazard, it might be better not to use it.
ANSI Ratings for Eyewear
All protective eyewear must meet the ANSI/ISEA Z87.1-2020 standard to comply with OSHA requirements. These ratings determine whether glasses or goggles can withstand impacts, protect against splashes, or guard against dust and fine particles. Let’s break down how eyewear is rated, and how each rating corresponds with specific tasks.
Understanding the Ratings
- Impact Resistance: Safety glasses are tested for both high-mass and high-velocity impacts, ensuring they can withstand flying debris commonly found on construction sites.
- Splash Exposure: Some eyewear is designed and tested for liquid splash resistance, which is critical for tasks involving chemicals, paints, or concrete treatments.
- Dust Protection: Ratings such as D4 and D5 indicate how well eyewear seals against dust and fine particles, which are common hazards in construction environments.
- Markings: ANSI-rated eyewear carries permanent markings—like “Z87” for basic impact or “Z87+” for high-impact—so safety managers can quickly verify compliance.
Quick ANSI Comparison Chart
Each ANSI rating indicates different protection for specific tasks and hazards. Using the chart below, pick the protection level appropriate for your job site.
| ANSI Marking | Protection Level | Common Use on Jobsites |
| Z87 | Basic impact | General construction, low-risk environments |
| Z87+ | High impact | Cutting, grinding, demolition, heavy equipment use |
| D3 | Splash/droplet | Painting, concrete work, chemical handling |
| D4 | Dust protection | Sanding, drywall, masonry |
| D5 | Fine dust | Cement work, silica exposure, confined spaces |
Don’t forget — always check for the appropriate ANSI markings. Glasses without them may look sturdy, but they don’t guarantee the level of protection required on today’s construction sites. It doesn’t matter if someone insists their sunglasses are pretty tough. It’s always better to be safe than sorry.
FAQ: Are Glasses Appropriate for Eye Protection?
Plenty of construction workers already wear prescription glasses. We’d bet you anything at least one of them will insist their glasses will protect them from flying debris. The truth is that not all eyewear qualifies as protective, and workers with glasses will still need ANSI-rated eyewear.
Let’s go over some common questions about safety glasses and prescription eyewear.
Can regular prescription glasses be used as eye protection?
Like we said, the answer is most likely no. Standard glasses may provide limited coverage but are often not impact-resistant. OSHA specifies that only ANSI Z87.1-rated eyewear meets safety standards.
Do safety glasses come with prescription lenses?
Yes. ANSI-compliant prescription safety glasses are available at most retailers, and OTG (over-the-glasses) options are usually designed to fit comfortably over standard glasses.
Do basic safety glasses provide enough protection on their own?
It depends on the task at hand. General-use safety glasses protect against impact hazards, but tasks involving chemicals, fine dust, or high-radiation work may require goggles, shields, or hoods.
What should safety managers provide for workers with prescription glasses?
Either prescription-rated safety glasses or ANSI-rated OTG models. Without these, workers may avoid using their PPE, increasing their risk of injury. Work within your organization to see if you can set your crew up with prescription safety eyewear or a stipend so they can get their own.
Choosing the right safety glasses helps protect workers, reduce injuries, and keep projects on track. For more ways to strengthen your PPE program, check out our guide on picking the best safety gloves for your crew.
