Are Your Safety Goggles Fogging Up? What You Should Know

 Safety goggles are an important form of personal protective equipment (PPE). According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), over 18,000 work-related eye injuries occur each year. Safety goggles are designed to protect workers' eyes from projectiles, debris and other objects that could otherwise cause injury Safety goggles can fog up, however. If you're tired of constantly cleaning a layer of fog off your safety goggles, you should consider the following tips.

Regulate the Humidity

The humidity level can affect whether your safety goggles fog up. Humidity level is a measurement of airborne moisture vapor. The air may look dry, but there's almost always some moisture vapor floating around in it. Humidity level represents the percentage of moisture vapor in the air relative to how much moisture vapor the air can hold at its current temperature. If your workplace is humid, your safety goggles may fog up.

Keep Cool

Keeping your body cool will lower the risk of your safety goggles fogging up. As your body's core temperature increases, you'll inevitably sweat. Sweating is the primary way in which the human body cools itself. Your body will release heat by sweating. The combination of heat and perspiration, though, can cause your safety goggles to fog up.

Here are some ways to keep cool while working:

• Wear lightweight and loose-fitting clothing.
• Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout the day.
• Take regular breaks.
• When working outdoors, choose a shaded area if possible.
• Use cooling accessories like neck wraps and cooling vests.

Secure Fit

The way in which your safety goggles fit will affect whether or not they fog up. If they are too big, they may fog up when worn. A loose fit means they'll be exposed to your breath, resulting in warm and moist air that condenses on the lens surface. By choosing safety goggles that fit snug and properly, this won't be an issue.

Use Anti-Fog Wipes

There are products available to prevent safety goggles, as well as other wearable goggles and glasses, from fogging up. Known as anti-fog wipes, they work by leaving behind a thin and transparent coating. While invisible to the naked eye, this coating prevents the formation of fog.

You can use anti-fog wipes to prevent your safety goggles from fogging up. Whether you're working indoors or outdoors, wipe down your safety goggles beforehand. Once the coating has been applied, it will protect your safety goggles from this otherwise common phenomenon.