What is essential to have in a hazardous work environment to protect the eyes?

In a hazardous work environment, safety goggles are essential for protecting the eyes. Unlike regular sunglasses, which are designed primarily for blocking sunlight and do not provide adequate protection against workplace hazards, safety goggles are specifically engineered to shield the eyes from various risks such as chemical splashes, flying debris, dust, and other potential hazards that can cause injury.

Safety goggles provide a snug fit around the eyes, which helps to prevent contaminants from entering and causing harm. They also often come with additional features such as anti-fog and impact-resistant lenses, enhancing their protective capabilities in a work setting.

While clear vision is indeed important, having vision without protection in a hazardous environment can lead to serious injuries. Similarly, specialty contact lenses do not offer the same level of protection as safety goggles and might even be detrimental if they are exposed to harmful substances since they do not cover the entire eye area. Thus, safety goggles are the appropriate choice for eye protection in hazardous situations.