SAFETY EYEWEAR FOR
SEARCH & RESCUE WORKERS

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Eyewear Technology that Actually Improves Performance

Eliminate distractions so you can focus on the mission

When a catastrophe occurs, emergency and rescue responders are the first to arrive. Even with extensive training, SAR personnel must be well prepared to adapt to the constantly changing surroundings, destruction, severe weather conditions or the aftermath of a horrendous natural disaster. They put their lives on the line to save others and create a secure environment to protect those further impacted by whatever event has unfolded. Daily, around 2,000 people sustain job-related eye injuries requiring medical attention. SAR is one of the most dangerous jobs performed during an emergency response situation.

Rescuing and recovering victims from a collapsed structure, a rugged wildness or a debris field is an unfortunate reality. It is extremely dangerous work. Without adequate eyewear, team members are vulnerable and at risk of becoming injured themselves. This results in SAR resources taking care of their own instead of the people they were dispatched to help. Developing a comprehensive plan for PPE, especially eyewear, is critical to ensure teams have the right products available for any situation.

Emergency and rescue responders are the first to arrive in the event of a catastrophe. Even with extensive training, SAR personnel must be well prepared to adapt to constantly changing surroundings, destruction, severe weather conditions or the aftermath of a horrendous natural disaster. Whatever the situation, they put their lives on the line to save others and create a secure environment protecting those yet to be impacted. Daily, around 2,000 people sustain job-related eye injuries requiring medical attention. SAR is one of the most dangerous jobs performed during emergency response situations.

Recovering and extracting victims from a collapsed structure, the rugged wilderness or a debris field are challenges facing SAR. It is extremely dangerous work. Without adequate eyewear, team members are vulnerable to injury themselves. This results in SAR resources being allocated to care for themselves instead of those they were dispatched to help. Developing a comprehensive plan for PPE, especially eyewear, is critical in ensuring teams have the necessary products available for any situation.

When evaluating your options, shatterproof polycarbonate lenses are highly recommended. The best ones are ANSI Z87.1+ rated for protection against heavy objects such as shrapnel and debris traveling at fast speeds. When it comes to working outdoors, lenses with UVA/UVB protection and premium polarization technology are preferred. Our lenses improve visual clarity and visibility during the most demanding situations. They protect against eyestrain and fatigue which clench the face and are a dangerous distraction. Removeable side shields and facial cavity seals are designed to shield the eyes from dust, fumes, chemicals, and smoke from every angle. Corrective lens wearers are especially vulnerable to particulates in the air. Instead, suggest search and rescue prescription safety glasses to aid in avoiding any contact lens-related issues. SAR teams put their safety on the line for others while facing unpredictable threats and multiple rescues for extended periods of time. Consider multifunctional eyewear with the option of changeable lenses. Changeable lenses can be switched quickly for visual clarity regardless of the lighting or environmental situation.

Doing a risk assessment, following protective protocol, and expediting the operation results in the likelihood of SAR returning unscathed and in a timely manner. Rescue workers are not invincible, without the use of appropriate protection the eyes are vulnerable to severe injury. For best results, work with an eyewear supplier who has a background in creating eyewear that stands up against the toughest conditions and harshest environments. Our staff is available to review your requirements and make recommendations to meet the needs of your team.

When evaluating your options, shatterproof polycarbonate lenses are highly recommended. The best ones are ANSI Z87.1 rated for both high-mass and high-velocity impacts. These will keep your teams safe from heavy objects, shrapnel and flying debris. When it comes to working outdoors, lenses with UVA/UVB protection and premium polarization technology are preferred. These lenses can improve visibility and visual clarity in the most demanding environments. Removeable side shields and facial cavity seals are designed to shield the eyes at every angle from dust, fumes, chemicals and smoke. Contact lenses wearers are especially vulnerable to particulates in the air. Instead, suggest the use of search and rescue prescription safety glasses to aid in avoiding any contact lens-related issues. SAR team puts their safety on the line for others while facing unpredictable threats and multiple rescues for extended periods of time. Consider, multifunctional eyewear with the option for changeable lenses. Changeable lenses can be switched quickly and allow visual clarity regardless of the lighting or environmental situation.

“Around 2,000 people daily sustain job-related eye injuries that require medical attention.”

Expediting the operation, doing a risk assessment, and following protective protocols results in the likelihood of SAR returning unscathed and in a timely manner. Rescue workers are not invincible, without the use of appropriate eye protection, their sight can be compromised. Without visual clarity they are vulnerable to severe injury. For best results, work with an eyewear supplier who has a background in creating eyewear that stands up against the toughest conditions and harshest environments. Our staff is available to review your requirements and make recommendations to meet the needs of your team.

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO GET THE JOB DONE

  • ANSI-RATED PROTECTION
    • HIGH VELOCITY IMPACT
    • HIGH MASS IMPACT
    • OPTICAL CLARITY
  • PRESCRIPTION-READY
  • CLIMATE CONTROL*
  • CHANGEABLE LENSES*
  • VENTILATION*
  • BALLISTIC RATED*

*AVAILABLE ON SELECT MODELS

POPULAR SEARCH & RESCUE MODELS

Certifications

ANSI (American National Standards Institute) approves standards submitted by established committees in any given industry. Wiley X is proud to be a part of 3 separate ANSI committees and has a key role in the development and continued evolution of these standards. ANSI Z87.1 is the American National Standard for Occupational and Education Personal Eye and Face Protection Devices. It contains performance specifications, and markings of eye and facial safety products — setting the standards they must meet for protection and optical clarity.

ISO 9001 is a globally recognized standard which outlines the requirements needed to implement a Quality Management System (QMS) in any given organization. The QMS is a set of policies, processes and procedures required for planning and execution of production, development and service within the core business area of an organization. (i.e. areas that can impact the organization's ability to meet customer requirements.) The Wiley X, Inc. QMS integrates the various internal processes within the organization and provides a process approach for project execution. The Wiley X, Inc. QMS enables us to identify, measure, control and improve the various core business processes that will ultimately lead to improved business performance and customer satisfaction.

OSHA's mission is to "assure safe and healthy working conditions for working men and women by setting and enforcing standards and by providing training, outreach, education and assistance". By law, employers must provide their workers with a workplace that does not have serious hazards and must follow all OSH Act safety and health standards.

OSHA also sets standards for PPE. Personal protective equipment is addressed in specific OSHA standards for general industry, maritime, and construction. OSHA requires that many categories of personal protective equipment meet or be equivalent to standards developed by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). This section highlights OSHA standards and documents related to personal protective equipment.

US Federal OSHA 1910.133(B)(1)(i) ANSI/ISEA Z87.1-2010, Occupational and Educational Personal Eye and Face Protection Devices, incorporated by reference in § 1910.6

V0 ballistics standards consist of frames and lenses being impacted with a .15 caliber projectile traveling 640-660 fps, or a goggle frame and lens with a .22 caliber projectile traveling 550-560 fps.

Wiley X eyewear models that are part of the Authorized Protective Eyewear List (APEL) are tested to the Alpha version of the V0 ballistics standard which consists of a spectacle frame and lens being impacted with a .15 caliber projectile traveling 700-725fps, or a goggle frame and lens with a .22 caliber projectile traveling 580-590fps. Both tests are meant to simulate shrapnel that may be encountered on the battlefield.

EN.166 is the European certification for personal eye protection. When a piece of eyewear is EN.166 certified it generally means that it is a piece of safety eyewear.

The correct term is actually EN.166 personal Eye Protection European Standard, but is normally referred to as EN.166 or EN.166. It is the core technical industrial safety norm in Europe for eye protection applying to all types of individual protection of the eye which protects from hazards likely to damage the eye, except for nuclear radiation, x-rays, laser emissions and infrared emitted by low temperature sources.

EN.166 is often the minimum required certification regarding eyewear in Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

Wiley X models meet the AS/NZS 1337.1-2010 standards. This standard specifies minimum requirements for non-prescription eye and face protectors and associated oculars designed to provide protection for the eyes and faces of persons against common occupational hazards such as flying particles and fragments, dusts, splashing materials and molten metals, harmful gases, vapours and aerosols.

Wiley X models meet Canadian CSA Z94.3 standards. This standard relates to eye and face protectors for industrial and educational processes. Hazards covered by the standard include: flying particles/objects, heat/sparks, chemical splashes, molten metal, UV, visible and infrared radiation. Requirements are outlined for impact resistance, ignition/flammability requirements, replacement components, clear zero-power lenses, prescriptionprotective eyewear, zero-power filters and zero-power special-purpose lenses.