Safety equipment
Eye and face protection
Eye and face protection is used against flying particles, dust, sparks, chemical splash and harmful radiation. In Europe the harmonised standard for general requirements is EN ISO 16321-1; EN 166 stopped giving presumption of conformity on 11 November 2025. Welding protectors also follow EN ISO 16321-2.
- Main group
- Safety equipment
- Product types
- 8
- Standards
- EN ISO 16321
- Industries
- 3
Where there is dust and chemical splash risk, ordinary glasses are not enough; closed goggles are preferred. Where sparks and large particles are involved, a face shield is used together with glasses.
Fogging is the most common reason eye protection gets abandoned. Anti-fog coated and ventilated models effectively increase protection because they stop the wearer taking the glasses off.
Prescription glasses wearers are a separate topic: over-glasses models or protective eyewear made with prescription lenses must be planned from the start.
Eye protection is specified by what is coming: flying particles need impact-rated spectacles, liquid splashes need sealed goggles, and radiation from welding or lasers needs the correct filter shade. Using the wrong one gives visible protection with no real coverage.
Fogging is the practical reason protection gets removed, so an anti-fog coating is not a luxury. Where spectacles are worn underneath, over-spectacles or prescription safety eyewear should be provided rather than leaving the worker to choose between seeing and being protected.
Products in this group
- Anti-fog and scratch-resistant coating
- Models worn over prescription glasses
- Closed goggle options
- Helmet-mounted face shield
- Lens shade class for welding
Related standards
1 Standard
EN ISO 16321
Eye and face protection for occupational use (replacing EN 166)
Products in this group
08- Safety glasses
- Goggles
- Over-glasses eyewear
- Chipping goggles
- Welding goggles
- Face shield
- Welding mask
- Auto-darkening mask
Related product groups
Safety equipment
Related guides
All guides
What is PPE? PPE categories I, II and III, CE marking and a PPE list by body part
The legal definition of PPE, the three EU risk categories, how to read CE marking and the declaration of conformity, and a PPE list with key standards.
Read the guide
Hard hat colours and what they mean, plus EN 397 markings, date stamps, service life and fit
Why helmet colour is a site rule, the Build UK scheme and an example table, what changed in EN 397:2025, the date clock, replacement criteria and fit.
Read the guide
Frequently asked questions
What about prescription glasses wearers?
Two routes: protective models worn over prescription glasses, or protective eyewear made to prescription. The second requires per-person planning in a bulk order.
Do goggles or a face shield come first?
A face shield alone is not eye protection; it is worn over goggles or spectacles. The shield stops the bulk of the splash or debris, the eyewear stops what gets underneath.
How should lenses be cleaned?
With water and a soft cloth, or a purpose-made wipe. Dry-wiping dusty lenses scratches them, and a scratched lens both impairs vision and loses impact strength.
How do we stop fogging?
Start with an anti-fog coated product. Where prescription glasses are worn underneath, provide over-spectacles or prescription safety eyewear rather than leaving the wearer to choose between seeing and being protected.
How is the shade number of welding eye protection chosen?
By welding process and current: lower currents need a lighter filter, higher currents a darker one. Auto-darkening helmets make this range adjustable.
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