Choosing the Right Safety Glasses Lens Color

According to the CDC, American workers suffer more than 2000 eye injuries a day resulting in a loss of at least 100 days away from work in a year. That can cost companies millions in lost production, revenue and workers compensation.  There’s a lot to consider when selecting the right eye protection. Once consideration is lens color. While you might be drawn to the attractiveness of the blue lenses, they may not be the right lens color choice for your work application.

So, what color do I choose?

Here is a guide for choosing the right color lens.

• Clear
  Clear is the standard lens for safety glasses providing the highest Visible Light Transmission (VLT). Clear lens safety glasses are the most common safety glass for general purpose indoor applications that require impact protection.
• Amber/Yellow
  Amber or yellow safety glasses are commonly used indoors for low light applications enhancing contrast, making your surroundings appear brighter. Yellow safety glasses block blue light that may cause haze and are not recommended for bright light conditions or applications where accurate color recognition is critical. These are ideal for professional drivers in foggy, rainy, or snowy conditions. It’s also a great choice for those in front of a computer all day.
• Light Blue
  Blue lenses are very popular where there is excessive yellow or sodium vapor light, enhancing contrast and neutralizing yellow light. These safety glasses are commonly used indoors, but can also be worn outside where additional contrast is needed.
• Gray
  Gray safety glasses are known for effectively dimming your surroundings and reducing excessive glare. Gray is the most popular lens color for outdoor applications. These are best used outdoors in bright sun.
• Brown
  Brown lenses, sometimes called coffee, bronze, espresso or mocha, share the same qualities as yellow and orange lenses – they block blue light that may cause haze or reduce sharpness. Brown safety glasses enhance contrast and depth perception with little color distortion. These are best used outdoors in nature where green colors are enhanced.
• Orange
  Orange lenses offer a high level of contrast and effectively block blue light that may cause haze or reduce sharpness.
• Green Shade 3.0 and 5.0
  Green lenses are especially useful around welding, brazing, or cutting applications. But, they’re not to be used while welding.
• Vermilion or Pink
  Pink safety glasses are great for reducing glare from fluorescent and halogen light. They also enhance contrast while reducing equally for optimum color recognition in low light applications.
• Purple
  Purple safety glasses are commonly used in medium to low light conditions. Purple lenses enhance contrast and have a muting effect on green to bluish surroundings, making them popular for hunting or golfing.

Martin works with all the best-in-class brands for safety glasses, goggles, shields and more. Talk to your Martin Sales Rep for the latest styles or call 800.828.8116.