Solving the Lens Fogging Problem

July is National Eye Injury Prevention Month, and for warehouse and manufacturing workers, eye protection is more than a rule. It can prevent serious injury.

About 2,000 U.S. workers suffer job-related eye injuries every day, and the CDC estimates 90 percent are preventable with proper protection.

So why do workers take safety glasses off?

Fogging.

Fogged lenses make it hard to see, slow down work, and can create new hazards. In one industry survey, workers across several fields named fogging as a major reason they avoid wearing eye protection.

That matters because eye injuries account for nearly 45 percent of head injuries that cause missed workdays. They also cost employers an estimated $300 million annually in medical expenses, lost productivity, and workers’ compensation costs.

The good news is that safety eyewear has improved. Modern anti-fog coatings, better ventilation, and indirect-vent goggles can reduce fogging without sacrificing protection.

If safety glasses fog during temperature changes or physical work, it may be time to replace them. Many anti-fog options cost between $25 and $50, and some newer coatings are designed to last the life of the glasses.