The Aussie Guide to Buying Safety Glasses: What You Need to Know
Safety glasses are your first defence against eye injuries - from construction sites and laboratories to DIY projects. Dust, chemicals, UV rays, and flying debris are all dangers to your eyes. Without proper eye protection, you could get a serious injury and even lose your vision altogether.
Wearing safeties not only does you a favour by looking after your eyes, but ticks the box for Aussie workplace safety standards too (and those pesky Safety Officers). Win-win!
If you want to buy safety glasses for the worksite (or the weekend!), this article will help you get the right pair. Learn the different types of glasses and features to look for before choosing your pair.
We’re here to help you pick the perfect pair, without the faff.
Key Takeaways:
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Choose the right type of safety glasses: Plano or prescription, for those who need vision correction and those who don't.
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Prioritise comfort and protection, and look for features like anti-fog, UV protection and scratch-resistant coatings.
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Style matters too - Gone are the days of settling for ugly and uncomfortable safety glasses. SafeStyle pairs combine certified protection with epic designs you'll actually want to wear.
INDEX
What to Look for When Buying Safety Glasses
1. Different Safety Glasses for Different Jobs
2. Lens Material: What’s Your Pair Made Of?
Why Eye Protection’s a Big Deal in Your Industry
Stay Safe (and Look Good) with SafeStyle
What to Look for When Buying Safety Glasses
1. Different Safety Glasses for Different Jobs
Everyone has different needs from their safety glasses depending on the jobs you're doing. You've got to make sure you pick the ones that are best for you.
Not all safety glasses are created equal. Here's a quick rundown to help you pick what suits your gig:
✅ Standard Safety Glasses
Great for: Tradies, handymen, DIYers, and warehouse workers
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Tough enough to block dust, flying debris, and major impacts
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Often made with polycarbonate lenses and ticks the safety standards box
Top Pick: SafeStyle Classics
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Stylish and AS/NZS 1337.1 certified
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UV400 protection and anti-scratch coating
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Ideal for outdoor work and casual wear
✅ Prescription Safety Glasses
Great for: Anyone who needs vision correction
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Combines your regular prescription with impact protection
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No need to double up on glasses - one pair does the lot
Top Pick: SafeStyle Fusions Prescription
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Available in polarised, clear, or photochromic lenses
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UV400 protection and anti-scratch coating
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Stylish to wear ‘from the worksite to the weekend’.
✅ Full-Seal or Wraparound Glasses
Great for: Work in dusty or intensive environments
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Full wrap protection to protect against dust
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Lightweight and durable with elite safety protection.
Top Pick: SafeStyle Sonics
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Stylish 90s look
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Shield your eyes with full-wrap protection at the worksite or during weekend sessions
2. Lens Material: What’s Your Pair Made Of?
The right lens can make all the difference in how your safety glasses perform. Here's a breakdown:
Polycarbonate Lenses
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Highly impact-resistant
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Extremely durable
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Lightweight design ensures all-day comfort for even the longest of shifts
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Ultraviolet (UV) protection to keep your eyes safe from the sun’s harmful rays
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Often a great choice due to its lightweight feel and high strength and impact protection
Trivex Lenses
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Has the same impact resistance as polycarbonate
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UV protection
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Resistant to chemicals, preventing contamination through fumes and splashes when you're working in a laboratory
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These lenses are less widely available than polycarbonate lenses
Glass Lenses
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Highly scratch-resistant for extended use
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Much heavier than Trivex or polycarbonate
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Excellent optical clarity
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Can shatter upon impact
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Best used in low-impact environments and not commonly used in safety glasses
3. Lens Coatings
It’s not just what your lenses are made of, it's how they’re treated that can impact how they perform on a daily basis. These coatings can make or break your experience on the worksite:
Anti-Scratch Coating
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Prevents minor abrasions that can reduce visibility
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Improves the glasses' durability
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Essential for areas with high rates of wear and tear, such as workshops and construction sites
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Applied to all SafeStyle lenses
Anti-Fog Coating
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Prevents condensation buildup so you can still clearly see when you're in environments with low ventilation
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Also great for workers in laboratories and food processing, where the temperature constantly changes
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Reduces the need to wipe your lenses while working
UV Protection
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Protects your eyes from dangerous UV rays and prevents long-term damage like retinal issues
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Important for working under the Aussie sun
Polarised Lenses
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Reduces glare from water, glass, metal, and other reflective surfaces
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These lenses improve clarity and contrast, minimising eye fatigue
SafeStyle has pairs with all these features. Hit the button below to choose your favourite pair!
4. Comfort Is King
If safety glasses are annoying or don’t fit right, let’s be honest - you’re not going to wear them.
Here are some features to be aware of that can have a huge impact on comfort:
Lightweight Design
The safety glasses shouldn't strain your nose and ears when working long shifts. They should also be lightweight, so you won't have to worry about extra weight when wearing them.
Ventilation
A well-ventilated pair of safety glasses lets air circulate, reducing fogging and helps you see clearly when working. Proper ventilation also stops heat from building up in the lenses.
5. Style and Aesthetics
Gone are the days of clunky, ugly safety glasses. These days, there’s no excuse for rocking ugly-looking bits of plastics on your face.
Plus, if your safeties look good, you’re obviously way more likely to wear them every day! Better looking safeties, means more eyes protected on site and beyond.
Why Eye Protection’s a Big Deal in Your Industry
Every job comes with its own unique hazards. Here are the industries where safety glasses are an absolute necessity for looking after your eyes:
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Construction: Flying debris dust from drilling, grinding, and cutting can come from anywhere!
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Healthcare: Fluids, splashes, and airborne particles in medical and laboratory settings can hit your eyes, and radiation from medical procedures can also harm vision.
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Manufacturing: Chemical splashes in food processing and pharmaceuticals can easily cause eye injuries.
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Automotive and Metal Working: Grinding dust, sparks, and hot metal shards can get into the eyes at any time and permanently damage your vision.
The bottom line is, whether you're building, fixing, or cleaning, your eyes need protection.
Stay Safe (and Look Good) with SafeStyle
Whether you're on worksites full-time or a weekend DIY warrior, SafeStyle’s got your back. Our range of stylish safety glasses is built for Aussies–rugged, safety certified, and designed to look good too.
From prescription pairs to polarised lenses, anti-fog tech, or healthcare heroes, we’ve got a pair with your name on it.
Don't compromise on eye protection and invest in glasses tailored to your needs. Find the perfect pair here!
