Oldbloke wrote:I have been away so slow to respond.
To state the obvious the main reason we wear shooting glasses is to protect the eyes in the case of a gas leak or other catastrophic firearm failure. Impact resistance is therefore rather important. Below are the requirements for safety glasses in Australia & the USA.
AS 1337.1
Low impact: Fashion glasses, sun glasses & prescription glasses - 6.35 mm steel ball travelling @ 12 m/s
Medium impact: Standard Safety glasses 6.35 mm steel ball travelling @ 40 m/s
USA Z87.1 Safety glasses 6.35 mm steel ball travelling @ 45.72 m/s These are often marketed as "shooting glasses"
The test is carried out with the Glasses fitted to a mannequin and the ball is fired at the glasses lens.
There is a failure if any of the following happen:
(a) if it cracks through its entire thickness into two or more pieces;
(b) if more than 5 mg of the ocular material becomes detached from a part of the ocular
surface remote from the surface struck by the ball;
(c) if the ball passes through the ocular; or
(d) if contact is made with either eye of the test head form by the ball, frame, ocular or
any part or fragment of these.
Low impact do not cut it in my view and therefore sunnies and prescription glasses are to be avoided. Be aware that due to a loop hole in the Australian Standard "prescription safety glasses" may only be standard prescription lenses/glasses fitted with side shields so you need to ensure you are sold poly-carbonate lenses, only these will pass the medium impact resistance test above.
The US glasses are to a higher standard however you will pay significantly more for these than the OZ version. The choice is yours.
You should be aware that even if they have polycarbonate lenses and fitted side shields unless they are tested as a unit they don't comply legally and can't be worn on jobsites that are fully aware.
I have set the policy that no "side shielded type" prescription glasses are allowed on site even if they have polycarbonate lenses, they must be proper inbuilt lens or goggle types(I am even happy to contribute towards them) or they can choose to wear glass overs or ultimately if they wish to argue the point they can choose to work elsewhere.
If I walk on site and see made up prescription safety glasses or non safety sunglasses being worn they have the option of putting a set of glass overs on or leaving site. Either way there is a counselled mark on their record as it is well covered during the induction.