A Practical Guide to Eyewear PPE in the UK

Eye injuries can happen in seconds but have lifelong consequences. In UK workplaces, employers are required to provide suitable eye protection based on risk assessments under the Personal Protective Equipment Regulations 2018.

Not all eye protection is equal. Different hazards require different types of protection.

This guide breaks down the main types of eyewear PPE and the British/European standards that apply to each.

The Core Standard: BS EN 166

At the heart of all eyewear PPE is BS EN 166 – Personal Eye Protection.

This is the baseline standard that all safety eyewear must meet. It covers:

Optical clarity
Impact resistance
Durability
General construction requirements

Additional markings within EN 166 indicate specific protection levels:

F / B / A – Low, medium, and high impact resistance
S – Increased robustness
Optical Class 1–3 – Suitability for continuous wear

Think of EN 166 as the foundation, with other standards adding specialised protection.

Types of Eyewear PPE (and Their Standards)

1. Safety Glasses (Spectacles) What they are: Basic protective glasses with side arms, sometimes with side shields.
Best for:	Standard:
Construction Light engineering General workshop tasks	BS EN 166
Limitations:
They don’t seal around the eyes, so they offer limited protection against dust, splash, heavy impact.

2. Safety Goggles What they are: Close-fitting or sealed eyewear that fully encloses the eyes.
Best for:	Standard:
Chemical handling Dusty environments Laboratory work	BS EN 166
Key protection codes:
3 – Liquid splash protection 4 – Large dust particles 5 – Fine dust, gases, vapours
Goggles provide a secure seal around the eyes, making them ideal for higher-risk environments.

3. Face Shields and Visors What they are: Full-face protection, often attached to helmets.
Best for:	Standard:
Grinding and cutting Forestry work High-impact or splash hazards	BS EN 166
Additional markings:
B / A – Medium/high energy impact 8 – Electric arc protection 9 – Molten metal and hot solids
Important note: Often used alongside safety glasses or goggles, not as a replacement.

4. UV Protection Eyewear What it is: Eyewear designed to filter harmful ultraviolet radiation.
Best for:	Standard:
Outdoor work UV-emitting industrial processes	BS EN 170 – Ultraviolet Filters
This standard ensures lenses provide adequate UV filtration and safe light transmission.

5. Sun Glare Protection (Tinted Safety Eyewear) What it is: Tinted lenses that reduce glare while maintaining safety protection.
Best for:	Standard:
Outdoor construction Plant and machinery operation	BS EN 172 – Sun Glare Filters
These lenses help improve visibility and reduce eye strain in bright conditions.

Compliance in the UK

To be legally compliant, eyewear PPE must:

Meet relevant BS EN standards
Carry CE or UKCA marking
Be selected based on a suitable risk assessment

Employers must also ensure PPE is:

Properly maintained
Correctly fitted
Used as intended

Upcoming Changes: EN ISO 16321

The standards landscape is evolving. A newer standard, EN ISO 16321 is gradually replacing: EN 166, EN 170, EN 171, and EN 172.

This aims to simplify and modernise eye protection requirements. During the transition, you may see both old and new standards in use.

Choosing the right eyewear PPE isn’t just about ticking a box—it’s about matching protection to risk.

Quick recap:

EN 166 = Core standard for all eyewear
EN 170 / 171 / 172 = Protection from UV, IR, and glare
EN 169 = Welding protection
Markings (F, B, A, 3, 4, 5, etc.) = Specific hazard protection

Thanks for reading, understanding these basics ensures better decisions, safer workplaces, and full UK compliance. Click here to download your free A4 printable colour guide.

Len Bridgeman 30^th March 2026

A Practical Guide to Eyewear PPE in the UK

The Core Standard: BS EN 166

Types of Eyewear PPE (and Their Standards)

1. Safety Glasses (Spectacles)

2. Safety Goggles

3. Face Shields and Visors

4. UV Protection Eyewear

5. Sun Glare Protection (Tinted Safety Eyewear)

Compliance in the UK

Upcoming Changes: EN ISO 16321

Quick recap:

Related posts