Safety glasses for working with an angle grinder: design features and selection of protective equipment

Compliance with safety measures in production and in personal workshops is a pressing problem these days, since in parallel with technological progress and robotization, the market is rapidly expanding with various types of raw materials and materials, the processing of which can be hazardous to health.

Protecting the eyes from harmful liquids, vapors and small particles is one of the necessary conditions for almost all technological processes involving humans, but craftsmen often refuse to use special glasses due to their inconvenience, paying with inflammation of the mucous membrane and inevitable vision problems.

In order to choose suitable safety glasses, you should not only understand their typology, but also know what modern developments can ensure ease of use.

Common defensive ammunition

Various personal protective equipment are mandatory when using power tools. This is primarily due to the presence of chips, sparks and other elements that are formed during the work process and can cause harm to the human body. To avoid various types of injuries, people have developed simple and effective protective equipment that helps make the work process more comfortable and safer.

Eye protection glasses

This is a mandatory element of equipment when working with an angle grinder. It is advisable to opt for closed-type glasses that tightly fit the shape of the face and prevent foreign elements from getting into the eyes. This is due to the fact that the flight path of metal shavings, sparks and scale is unpredictable, and they can get under a protective mask or glasses. Therefore, before purchasing, it is advisable to always try on and adjust the product to suit yourself. The material used in the manufacture of the protective product also plays an important role. It is important that the plastic has a high degree of strength and can withstand mechanical stress.

Masks

These are more reliable protective equipment than glasses, as they can cover not only the eyes, but the entire face. Unfortunately, in order to save money, some manufacturers use materials that are not of the highest quality, which affects the level of protection. Therefore, it is worth choosing masks from well-known manufacturers , which look quite durable in appearance and have a protective mesh. This additional element is primarily intended to protect a person’s face when working with an angle grinder, since the cutting wheel can burst and fly into the eyes at great speed, and the mesh can stop it.

Mittens and gloves

It is impossible not to mention these most common, but no less important protective elements. When using an angle grinder, your hands are located in close proximity to the rotating disk and therefore require high-quality protection. Conventional gloves used in construction are not able to cope with the given protective task in all situations, since they are highly flammable and therefore quickly burn out from sparks, leaving burns on the body. When working with an angle grinder, it is better to use gloves made from rough leather or products with a rubberized base.
Also, if you have welding gaiters , the manufacture of which uses durable suede, you can use them when working with power tools. Due to the high base of this type of gloves, they are able to protect not only the fingers and palms, but also the forearms.

Requirements for eye protection

Three documents: GOST 12. 4. 003−0 “SSBT. Safety glasses. Types", GOST 12. 4. 013−75 and GOST 12. 4023−76 - contain the requirements that products intended for eye protection must meet. They help protect them from the influence of harmful elements such as:

solid particles,
dust and water splashes,
drops of hot metal,
gases,
bright sunlight and other radiation.

There are several devices for eye protection, and all of them are regulated by GOST.

In particular, the following conditions apply to glasses to protect the visual organs:

Open field of view.
Light weight.
Tight fit to the face.
Fog resistance.
They should not be irritating to the skin.

Different types of safety glasses

It would seem how such simple products as safety glasses and masks for working with an angle grinder can differ from each other. But, a person may be unexpectedly surprised by the number of criteria and features that come to light in the process of choosing high-quality, comfortable and functional glasses for eye protection. And this difference is not due to the external component, which is similar to the most common sunglasses, but to the characteristics of the material and the design of the protective products. All eye protection used when working with an angle grinder is divided into the following types:

Closed glasses are the safest when working with any power tool. They will reliably protect your face and eyes from dust, crumbs, chips and scale. The only downside is that these glasses quickly fog up due to the lack of ventilation. Therefore, it is advisable to give preference to more expensive products with ventilation.
Open glasses are very similar to regular sunglasses. Their main distinguishing feature is the shape and material used in their production. Such products have space under the frame, which prevents glasses from fogging. If you choose the wrong protective equipment, the product may fall off, and chips and sparks may penetrate under the lenses.
Transparent glasses are not a separate type and can be either closed or open. Clear lenses can easily withstand external influences and are not susceptible to cracking or scratching.
Masks and goggles for working with an angle grinder - these products do not belong to any particular type of protective equipment, but rather are a recommendation for use. It is best to purchase closed-type products that have ventilation.

If a person does not have experience using power tools, then first you need to familiarize yourself with the operating documents. By following the simplest rules, you can guarantee safe and comfortable use of the grinder. It is important to learn one unwritten rule - if you feel unwell, weak, and especially under the influence of alcohol or medication, it is prohibited to use any power tool.

Safety precautions

There are several types of protective equipment required when operating this device.

Individual protection means

A guarantee of eye safety when using an angle grinder is safety glasses. They have several varieties:

Open type glasses. They resemble ordinary glasses for vision correction or sun protection, but have a denser structure and increased plastic thickness. These glasses protect your eyes from sparks and small fragments. Their disadvantage is their lack of protection from dust. When working with ceramics and stone, dust is generated that can cause eye irritation. In this case, the following type of glasses is suitable.
Closed-type glasses. They fit tightly to the contour of the face and prevent dust from entering the eyes. They also protect your eyes from splinters and sparks. Some models have a ventilation system that prevents fogging of the inner surface of the lenses. This version of glasses will cost a little more, but it also has more advantages.

Glasses must be worn regardless of the nature of the material being cut or sanded.

Protective mask

Another safety measure when working with an angle grinder is a protective mask. It can be reinforced with a special mesh, which makes it stronger. This mask is much better than glasses, because it protects not only the eyes, but also the rest of the face. The main cause of injury is a split saw blade. Its fragments, flying at great speed, can injure not only the person working with the angle grinder, but also those nearby.

Principles of safe work

The presence of personal protective equipment undoubtedly reduces the risk of injury when using an angle grinder. But it is also worth remembering other safety requirements.

Protective cover. This device must be on the angle grinder. Some careless operators remove the protection in order to put on a wheel of a larger diameter, which is not intended to work with this angle grinder. Sometimes the casing is removed in cases where it is necessary to use the grinder at an awkward angle. Such actions are unacceptable. Of course, the protective casing does not provide 100% safety, but in most cases it will protect you from injury. Recently, the protective cover for angle grinders has received a useful modification. It's called a dust extractor. From the name it is clear - this device helps direct dust particles in the opposite direction from the operator, which greatly simplifies the work.
Hand protection. To prevent sparks and hot metal particles from coming into contact with the skin of your hands, it is recommended to use special welding gloves. Small sparks hitting the skin do not cause obvious pain. But when a large burning particle hits, it causes severe pain. At this moment, the hand may shake, thereby creating a traumatic situation. Gaiters will help prevent hot metal from getting on your hands.
Selecting an abrasive wheel. To work with an angle grinder, you should only use a wheel that is suitable for it. If you use a circle with a diameter larger than expected, it may break without even touching
with the cutting object. The fact is that different models of angle grinders have different speeds, and abrasive wheels have different speed resistance.
You should also not use wheels with visible external defects, such as chips, deep scratches or cracks.
It is forbidden to install a disk on the grinder for sawing wooden products. Firstly, it is dangerous - the saw blade may encounter a knot, which can cause the tool to be torn out of your hands. Secondly, the disk will very soon become unusable, because it is not adapted to such a load. The speed of a circular saw is much lower than that of an angle grinder.
Sawing object. If the element being processed is small in size, you need to secure it with something. The best option for this would be to use a vice. It is strictly forbidden to saw the product with one hand while holding it with the other. In this case, the sawing element may be torn out of your hands.

If the product is large and installed stationary, it is necessary to ensure that the abrasive disc does not bite. General rules:

Always unplug the angle grinder when replacing a blade. This is to prevent accidental startup.
When choosing an abrasive disc, give preference to a trusted manufacturer.
When working, make sure that the power cord is kept away from the sawing wheel.
When using an angle grinder, avoid the possibility of hair and clothing getting wrapped around the rotating disc.

Tips for choosing glasses for working with an angle grinder

When choosing ammunition to protect your eyes when working with an electric grinder, it is important to pay special attention to the following points:

When choosing suitable glasses or a mask, it is important to pay attention to the material used for their manufacture. Such protective equipment is made from glass on a mineral or organic basis or using modern polymer material such as polycarbonate.
Today, manufacturers of eye protection glasses produce products that help prevent thermal, chemical and mechanical damage. Plus, modern models are equipped with ventilation systems that help when working in conditions of high humidity and dust.
Modern safety glasses often use a “chameleon” effect to protect your eyes from direct sunlight and light damage. This was achieved through the use of special light filters. This equipment is suitable for working with an angle grinder, electric welding and other power tools.
Also, when choosing high-quality safety glasses for working with an angle grinder, it is important to take into account the ability of modern products to prevent thermal burns. Masks and goggles of this type are able to stop scale, protecting the eyes from thermal damage.
To protect your eyes from mechanical damage, it is advisable to purchase glasses made of durable plastic. The use of such material allows the lenses to stop metal shavings, small stone fragments and other particles formed during the use of an electric grinder.

If working with power tools involves the presence of chemical components, such as lubricants, then it is advisable to give preference to protective glasses-masks that fit tightly to the human face, following its contour. To make linings in such products, the manufacturer uses special foam rubber or rubber - hypoallergenic materials that do not cause irritation to the skin. Well, on top of that, manufacturers do not forget about the design of their products, providing them with rubberized temples and bright frames.

How to choose?

When choosing such a product for work, it is important to consider the scope of use of safety glasses, since they must cope with the assigned tasks and protect the eyes from possible injury. All the necessary information can be found in the labeling, the main thing is to know how it is deciphered

All the necessary information can be found in the labeling; the main thing is to know how it is deciphered.

Experts also recommend taking into account the ergonomics of the product. In practice, if such glasses do not fit well, they become uncomfortable to work in, and sometimes they no longer meet safety requirements due to the available gaps

If a tight fit is required, then you should pay attention to models where the manufacturer has provided arms with the ability to adjust the length. It is advisable that the straps have a thickness of 1 cm

Before purchasing, you should pay attention to the bridges and nose pads. They should not have sharp edges, much less burrs.

As a nice addition there will be a model with removable lenses. If some break, you only need to replace the lenses and not buy new glasses.

For an overview of safety glasses, watch the following video.

Review of the best glasses models

The modern power tool market is filled with various protective equipment that can protect a person from various injuries.

Manufacturers offer a wide range of products to suit any budget. The most popular and inexpensive brands of glasses are models from the following manufacturers:

Transparent protective products "Lucerna" are made from impact-resistant polycarbonate grades. Such light and comfortable glasses will protect not only the eyes, but also the area around them from small chips, without blocking a person’s visibility. Thanks to the wide and well-designed ventilated arms, such products do not slip when working with an angle grinder.
Protective ammunition for the eyes “Master” in a smoky shade, is comfortable and has an original design. This model of glasses has darkening lenses , but does not distort the color at all. Products are recommended for use in bright light or sunny weather. Wide, transparent eye arms provide additional protection. In the manufacture of such glasses, only high-quality types of polycarbonate from the world brand MITSUBISHI are used.
Stihl Light - safety glasses of very high quality, reliability and efficiency. They are equipped with a comfortable frame shape that prevents them from falling off during use. Only high-quality polycarbonate is used in their production. This modern model has a high degree of wear resistance and impact resistance.
Bosch GO 2C eye protective equipment is a high-quality product that has a modern design and does not generate dust when working with an angle grinder or other power tools. This model is made using transparent polycarbonate , which is covered with a special film that prevents fogging and can withstand mechanical stress on the lenses. The glasses are well ventilated and have a wide range of vision.
FIT safety glasses, with an indirect ventilation method, protect the eyes when carrying out not only work with an angle grinder, but also other construction activities. Thanks to special valves, an anti-fogging effect is achieved, which is very convenient during work.

Reusable and disposable

Depending on the service life, disposable and reusable respirators are distinguished. Half masks of the first category must be disposed of immediately after the first use, since the filter attached to the model becomes clogged, and it is not possible to change it.

Reusable respirators can withstand 2 or more work shifts. Long service life is ensured by the presence of replaceable absorbers. Replacement should be made when the performer begins to experience difficulty breathing due to contamination of the filter. After changing the absorber, the mask is ready for further use. Professionals who constantly use protective equipment need to choose reusable models

Home craftsmen and performers of periodic work should pay attention to disposable respirators; they have a more affordable price. The level of welder reliability from harmful factors does not depend on the service life of the respirator

Therefore, when choosing the type of masks, you should take into account the frequency, intensity and level of complexity of the work.

3M 9928

Manufacturer: 3M (USA).
Molded (bowl-shaped) shape.
Protection class – FFP2, the respirator provides protection against dust, fumes, ozone, and organic vapors.
The outer material protects against sparks and does not support combustion.
The presence of an additional seal along the entire soft obturation line.
The exhalation valve removes heat, ensures ease of breathing, reduces the risk of glasses or masks fogging, and guarantees comfort.
Durable material ensures shape retention.
The filter half mask is a reusable protective equipment, marked R (reusable/reusable).
Weight – 30 gr.

North 7190N99

Half mask in a plastic frame with a filter included.
The respirator is convenient when using a welding helmet.
It is possible to change the filter.
The patented valve system prevents heat and moisture from accumulating.
Reusable respirator model.

In addition, we will consider a budget option for a disposable respirator.

NRZ-0102

Country of origin: Russia.
Protection class – FFP2.
A filtering respirator without an exhalation valve, with elastic bands for fastening on the head and a comfortable nose clip.
A half mask made of non-woven material protects against all types of aerosols.
The model is an analogue of ZM 8102 and 3M 9320, as well as Alina-200.

Before you start working with an angle grinder

When starting to work with any power tool, including an electric grinder, you need to concentrate as much as possible.
You can't take on a job without being prepared. Fatigue is the first cause of negligence, which can lead to unpredictable consequences. The presence of a protective casing and glasses are mandatory conditions , without which you cannot start work. Sparks, flying particles of abrasive material, metal and scale always accompany any process in which an angle grinder is used. If such particles get into the eyes, serious health problems can occur.

It is advisable to use glasses or a mask with a closed design that replaces them. The spread of sparks and metal shavings occurs along an unpredictable trajectory and you can never predict whether they will get under the mask or not if it is an open type. It’s good if the mask has a protective mesh, since impacts from fragments can be so powerful that they can pierce plastic.

The presence of a casing on the tool provides the first protection that stands between a person and a rapidly rotating cutting wheel. Moreover, the destruction of the latter is a frequent occurrence. Most people who regularly use an electric grinder have repeatedly encountered this problem. Most often, the circle is destroyed when a metal workpiece becomes jammed in the resulting slot.

The main purpose of the protective casing is to prevent the emission of sparks and other particles towards the person using the angle grinder. In this case, the casing is secured in such a way that it does not rotate spontaneously or shift to the side. And no matter how much many builders would like to remove the protective casing to make working with the tool easier, doing this is strictly contraindicated. Neglecting this rule can lead to unpredictable consequences for human health.

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Features of operation and care

When using protective products, it is important to follow certain rules. It is important to inspect the glasses before starting work

During the visual assessment, the reliability of the fastenings is checked. Some models of personal protective equipment require treatment of the inside with specialized compounds that prevent rapid fogging. This often refers to closed-type equipment without side or direct ventilation. After these steps, you should “adjust” the product to the size of your head by adjusting the length of the belt or adjusting the angle of the arms.

Upon completion of work, wipe the glasses with a damp cloth to remove dirt, dust, metal or wood shavings. For these purposes, you can pre-purchase material impregnated with a specialized composition for disinfecting the surface of PPE. Wiped and dried ammunition is placed in a storage case. If these recommendations are followed, the products will last a long time while maintaining their effectiveness.