3m-eyewear-fit-system

3M™ Eyewear Fit System

As with all personal protective equipment, comfort is very closely linked with compliance and improperly fitted eyewear may not be enough to prevent eye injuries, so the quality and security of fit is extremely important. Unlike respiratory protection where face fit testing is mandatory, there are no regulatory requirements regarding fitting of eyewear. While current standards suggest careful consideration should be given to eyewear fit, e.g. BS 7029:1999, there is no specific guidance on how to evaluate an individual’s fit. Making an assessment based on size and adjustable features is not always adequate to determine best fit and security of eyewear. The innovative 3M™ Eyewear Fit System, is a simple 6 step method* and enables a measured evaluation of fit. This method, utilising the Coverage and Gap gauge tools will help assess 4 elements of protective eyewear fit:

View

Assessment to ensure the wearer can see in all directions of eye rotation without major obstruction to the field of view that would interfere with visibility to perform work tasks

Security

Assessment to ensure the eyewear stays in place on the wearer’s head and does not fall off with head movement.

Coverage

The Coverage gauge assesses how well the safety eyewear covers the soft tissue area around the eyes.

Gaps

The Gap gauges help to identify excessive gaps between the eyewear and the face. Large gaps can provide a clear path for flying debris