Protective eyewear is one of the simplest and most effective ways to prevent workplace eye injuries, yet compliance remains a challenge across many UK industries. Every year, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) records thousands of eye injuries that could have been avoided with the correct protection. Despite this, many employees continue to remove or avoid wearing their safety glasses altogether.
Understanding why this happens is the first step towards solving it. Below are five common reasons employees resist wearing safety glasses and some practical ways HR and safety teams can tackle each one.
1. “They’re uncomfortable”
It is probably the most frequent complaint, and it is not entirely without reason. If safety glasses pinch, fog up or slide down, people are less likely to wear them consistently. Poorly fitting eyewear can also distract from the task at hand or even feel unsafe in itself. Comfort starts with choice. Providing one standard design for everyone rarely works.
Instead, offer a range of approved styles and fits. Adjustable arms and nose pads help accommodate different face shapes. Encourage employees to test a few options before deciding which pair to keep. Lightweight materials and anti-fog coatings can also make a big difference, particularly in temperature-variable environments.
Investment in comfort pays off quickly when compared with the cost of an avoidable eye injury.
2. “They don’t fit properly with other PPE”
In many workplaces, employees need to combine safety glasses with other protective gear such as helmets, visors or respiratory masks. If the eyewear clashes or causes discomfort, workers may remove it or adjust it unsafely.
Integration is key. When choosing safety glasses, check that they are compatible with other PPE used on site. Some designs are shaped specifically to fit under or over additional equipment. HR and safety teams should involve employees in PPE trials and demonstrations, as they are the best judges of what works in practice. Partnering with a reliable optical supplier can also help ensure that all PPE works together as one system rather than a set of mismatched parts.
3. “I don’t think I need them”
This reason is about perception. Some employees assume that eye protection is only necessary for high-risk activities such as welding or grinding. However, even brief or routine tasks like drilling, cleaning with chemicals or handling materials can cause serious injury. The HSE reports that around 20% of workplace eye injuries occur during maintenance or handling work where protection was available but not used.
Awareness and education make the difference. Use real stories or examples to show how easily eye injuries can occur. Short toolbox talks, internal campaigns or case studies can help people see that no task is too small for protection. Make PPE discussions part of regular team meetings so that eye safety remains a consistent message rather than a seasonal reminder.
4. “I don’t like the way they look”
It might sound trivial, but appearance has a strong influence on whether people wear safety eyewear. If the glasses make workers feel self-conscious, especially in public or customer-facing roles, they may quietly choose not to wear them.
However, modern safety eyewear has evolved far beyond the bulky goggles of the past. Take a look at Infield Safety UK’s safety eyewear range for example. Many models now resemble sports or designer glasses while still meeting safety standards. Allowing staff to choose from a few different frame styles or colours always helps. When people like how they look, they are far more likely to wear their protective equipment without being reminded.
5. “They fog up or reduce visibility”
Fogging is a frequent complaint in warm or humid conditions. When lenses steam up, employees may take their glasses off to wipe them or see more clearly, which is often the very moment when accidents occur.
Anti-fog coatings or lenses with built-in ventilation channels can prevent condensation. Providing simple cleaning supplies, such as microfibre cloths or sprays, encourages proper maintenance. Managers should also make replacement wipes or lenses easy to access. Small details like these can make daily compliance much easier.
Building a Culture of Eye Safety
Solving practical problems is only half the battle. Long-term change comes from culture. When employees see that supervisors and senior leaders wear their safety glasses correctly, they understand that eye safety is a shared priority rather than a rule imposed from above.
HR professionals have a central role in this. Embedding PPE awareness into onboarding, refresher training and wellbeing programmes keeps eye safety visible throughout the year.
It is important to remember that the true cost of an eye injury goes far beyond the individual. Lost time, compensation costs and the emotional impact on colleagues all take a toll. Preventing even one incident justifies the time and resources spent on getting safety eyewear right.
Employees often avoid safety glasses for reasons that are understandable, but each barrier has a practical solution. By combining comfortable equipment, clear communication and visible leadership, organisations can move from simple compliance to genuine commitment.
Get in touch today if you’re looking into new safety eyewear for your employees.