Milwaukee Tool has launched new over-the-glasses (OTG) safety eyewear, which are designed to fit over most prescription glasses.
The new Milwaukee OTG safety glasses meet ANSI/ISEA Z87.1 standards, and are “high-velocity impact tested to provide users with military-grade impact protection.”
The glasses feature a wrap-around frame, and a top rubber guard that helps protect against debris.
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As with other OTG safety glasses, the safety lens extends to the side for added shielding. The lens features an anti-scratch exterior coating, and fog-free interior coating.
There are two styles, both with dual-coated lenses:
- Clear (48-70-2070) – $20
- Tinted (48-70-2075) – $20
ETA: May 2024
Discussion
While this isn’t a major announcement, it’s very noteworthy. I rely on OTG glasses, and mainly use safety goggles due to the poor selection of comfortable and effective glasses that fit over my prescription eyewear.
When Milwaukee launched their first safety glasses way back in 2019, I asked about the prospect for over-the-glasses safety eyewear.
At the time, the answer was more or less “not now, but we won’t say never,” which is a popular way to say it wasn’t on their immediate roadmap.
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Here’s a short list of the kinds of personal protective equipment (PPE) and safety gear they’ve launched in the years since:
- Safety glasses at a range of price points
- Ear plugs
- Disposable and reusable dust masks
- Hard hats
- Helmets
- Tether and working and heights gear
- Vests
- Helmet and hard hat attachments
- Work pants
- Work gloves – huge selection
- Knee pads
They also have hard hat-connectable components that aren’t offered separately, such as ear muffs, face shields, and a sun shield. I also needed arm guards and bought both styles to test out.
I’m sure I missed something, but it’s clear this is not a short list of safety gear.
OTG safety glasses is not a high priority for any brand, but here they are. I’m glad to see Milwaukee filling in some holes, but they’re not done yet.
I’m eager for Milwaukee to work on hearing protection earmuffs, similar to what connects to their BOLT helmet and hard hat attachment points, and maybe face shields.
The $20 price for the OTG glasses surprised me, but the rubber top seal is a premium feature, and a fog-free interior coating sounds nice.
Maybe these will be the first OTG glasses to compel me to switch from goggles – that would sure be nice.
Robert
Stuart,
regarding your statement of:
“ I rely on OTG glasses, and mainly use safety goggles due to the poor selection of comfortable and effective glasses that fit over my prescription eyewear.”
I happen to ask about and purchased prescription safety glasses at my optometrist. The tech showed me they met the relevant ASTM. I have better visual acuity with them than my normal prescription glasses under OTG, and they fog up less.
These prescription safety glasses have a couple of layers of cushioning and wrap around, so they are definitely birth control glasses, hence I don’t wear them normally. And for heavier work, like router or table saw that may kickback bigger pieces, I do wear the OTG glasses over these, and put up with having to take more breaks to clean the fog off.
MM
I second the suggestion of getting prescription safety glasses if you wear glasses. And do look around, there are many different styles out there now, not all of them look terrible.
I also really like face shields, and I don’t mean the medical kind, I mean the thick polycarbonate type that’s properly impact-rated and either attaches to a hard hat or has its own headgear with a knob at the back to tighten it on your head. These are great for two reasons: they cover your entire face, and they are always comfortable to wear over glasses. They’re also more comfortable than goggles.
As for OTG style safety glasses, I have had a bit of a love-hate relationship with those. Back when I managed a university lab I had to keep on top of the PPE. The OTG types were my go-tos to purchase because so many of us wore glasses. Anyone can wear OTGs so they are usually the default for visitor use as well. I did at least try and order a few different brands and sizes so people could pick what they preferred but it just wasn’t worth buying the type that couldn’t go over glasses. They’re not great for the wearer, however. My biggest gripe with them is that most brands generate a lot of pressure where they fit over the ear so I find them uncomfortable.
Koko The Talking Ape
Another vote of support for face shields. Cool, comfortable, easy to see through, and don’t interfere with glasses. You do have to keep them clean though.
Stuart
Thanks – I’ll reconsider. I’ve seen a couple of styles, but never found them appealing.
More comfortable sport-style glasses tend to require crazy thicknesses due to their curvature, and so many have very limited prescription ranges.
I generally have decent experiences with goggles, especially if dust is flying around, or I’m leaning over a lot.
The main frustrations are when I’m fully geared up with a respirator and hearing protection. I’ve seen full-face respirators, but they shouldn’t be worn with glasses. Spectacle kits are available for those, but I haven’t been annoyed enough to look into it.
Kyle
Face shields are the way to go for shop work. Glasses/goggles only do so much when you take a chunk of grinder wheel to the face.
I don’t wear glasses but my dad did and he had a pair of prescription lenses with a rubber headband instead of folding arms (kinda like you see small kids wear today) from his days in the fire department. They worked great with full face respirators and were made so you could get a tight seal.
Jared
I wear glasses. OTG safety glasses often drive me nuts. They push on my frames in weird places, rub my lenses, fall off. I use them, but only for specific tasks and then I rip them off the moment flying debris isn’t an immediate concern.
Of course, I also usually buy whatever is cheap – so it might all be my own fault. Maybe I should give something more “premium” like these Milwaukees a try.
frobo
I just might spring for a pair of these. I’ll still rely on goggles for most grinding jobs, though. I’ve seen too many instances over the years where grinding particles have made it past safety glasses (and even full face shields) and into operators’ eyes.
Jorllikestools
Same with chemicals
Garrick
Which goggles do you have and do you recommend them? I need OTG and have been looking for something that keeps dust out and is fog free.
Stuart
Uvex Flex Seal. I just saw there’s a new style with updated anti-fog, and so I ordered 2 pairs to try out. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B079KVXHX3/?tag=toolguyd-20
In general I like the Flex Seal because it’s larger than others. That means less/slower fogging, and better comfort.
I also like(d) Radians/Dewalt goggles, but less so over the past few years.
I’ve tried a few other styles, but always go back to the Uvex.
JR Ramos
I really like this model from Sellstrom. It works with most frames unless they’re really large or extra wide (some of today’s popular rectangular frames may not fit). It’s basically the same as their popular wildfire model but has venting. The fit on these was far more comfortable for me and the seal is excellent – I tried on many models from 3M and Uvex, other Sellstroms, DeWalt and a couple others. This was by far the best for me. It all comes down to fit, though, different face shapes, etc. One thing that helped this for me was that the frame itself is slightly flexible (more than the pvc types) and so it relies a little less on gaskets. Keeps out all normal debris and actually does excellent with extra fine sanding dust although sometimes a little will sneak in. Their lenses are pretty good in terms of clarity and lack of distortion…doesn’t seem any better or worse than others for scratch resistance. Good strap, too. I bought a second pair and opened up the vents a tiny bit with an x-acto knife and I find that eliminates any eye pressure from well-sealed goggles and keeps fog away better in cooler humid conditions. I think I may take the plunge and get some prescription specs this year…might be worth the expense.
https://www.amazon.com/Sellstrom-S80290-Temperature-Scratch-Resistant-Anti-Fog/dp/B00CA8F6ZY (probably will want to pick up a clear lens…the green tint that comes with this model isn’t terribly dark, decent for bright sunny days, if you don’t mind green)
I think absolutely everything will fog eventually or in the right conditions. These have been great for me generally but if you’re sweating in cooler temps then it’ll happen eventually. I’ve not had good luck with any of the anti-fog treatments on the market for plastic goggle lenses/ski and moto helmets/etc (too easy to streak and ruin clarity) but I’ve used them on eyeglasses with great results.
Ron
I’ll give these a try. I have a few others mentioned above but they all fog up. I need a good pair when mowing. So far, no luck. Hopefully these will be better. Thanks for the tip.
JR Ramos
Maybe worth a shot, they’re nice enough. I don’t mow anything anymore but that might be challenging for fog if the sun is shining and there’s not much breeze and all that humidity rising from the cut grass. When I was looking at Stuart’s link for the Uvex he likes, I saw some models from Drager – wasn’t aware they offered any. Looks like their 4800 and 4900 are supposed to fit over eyeglasses but I’m not sure how well, looking at the photos. I used to work on their anesthesia machines long ago and based on what I know about the company I’d be inclined to give them a try (cost is a bit higher though). From the looks of them it’s possible that they’re made by Uvex but who knows.
Ron
Thanks for the recommendation. I checked them out online and they look similar to some others. I have 5 different brands and what I found is that none of them have vents. Maybe I need a pair that have the round mesh covered vent holes. Cost isn’t an issue….. if they work. I appreciate the feedback. Thanks.
Koko The Talking Ape
My issue with a lot of these glasses is that they aren’t shaped well to suit all faces. In particular, they often don’t fit Asian faces, with their wider cheekbones and shorter nose bridges. My DeWalt glasses dig into my face and don’t seal well against my nose. Sadly, I missed the return date so they just sit on a back shelf.
Incidentally, it doesn’t seem hard to make good cheap gear that fits. My 3M Rugged Comfort respirator is comfortable and seals well. And it costs not much more than these glasses.
You’d think they would consider that if they want international sales, given that a few billion people have faces like mine
Ryan
3M TGV01 if you don’t want to spend $20 on OTG protection. They’re $2-4 and fit my glasses which measure 140mm at the front corners. I mostly use a Uvex face shield except when it’s bulk gets in the way.
Saulac
OTG eye protection with built in ear protection, please. Or I will listen to many on here and willing to pay for pair of prescription glasses, with built in earmuffs. Does such thing exist? Any recommendations? I can really can give my ear behind (?) some rest. Like many things in life, I feel I don’t have enough head for them all.
AF
Safety glasses protect the eyes, face shields protect the face. As a Site Safety Officer I have to deal with this area everyday. Everyone wants something comfortable, I get that. But there is always a give and take since it’s difficult for a vendor to carry the myriad of slections in the quantities needed. Especially in smaller markets. Safety always comes down to the individual. If you are serious about protecting yourself, then you will do your research and find what works best for you. Fortunately there is a better selection today than there ever has been, just gotta pay the price.
Koko The Talking Ape
So, are you saying face shields aren’t a good substitute for safety glasses? I’d like to know that, if that’s true.
Joren
Yes, face shields will say z87.1 rated, with safety glasses, without they are not rated.
Also note z87.1 vs z87.1+. The latter being rated for impact protection as I understand it.
MM
There are many kinds of face shields, some have impact ratings and some do not. I’ve never seen one that says “z87.1 with safety glasses”, in fact I’d love to see an example of that kind of marking. It doesn’t make logical sense, if it requires additional safety glasses to meet the z87.1 standard then that particular face shield itself would have rating at all?
While many face shields are unrated, it’s quite easy to find face shields that are rated z87.1 and also z87+ I have three in my workshop, two clear and one tinted one I use with my plasma cutter & torches. All of them are clearly marked Z87+ right on the plastic with no other conditions. One is a Uvex, one is Pyramex, one is 3M.
Joren
Example: Uvex Bionic
“ Face shield offers secondary protection and must be worn with spectacles or goggles.”
https://sps.honeywell.com/us/en/products/safety/head-eye-and-face-protection/face-shields/uvex-bionic
Stuart
Why aren’t products marked as such? Many (most?) are designed for industrial or commercial use, where a Site Safety Officer – like AF, see their comment above – is familiar with applicable safety standards and guidelines, and supervises others as to proper PPE and safety precautions. Individual users of industrial products are supposed to read the documentation that typically accompanies safety equipment.
If you look here – https://www.amazon.com/3M-Protection-82783-00000-Polycarbonate-Faceshield/dp/B007JZ1QQQ/?tag=toolguyd-20 there’s no mention of a glasses requirement.
But here – https://www.amazon.com/3M-Protection-82783-00000-Polycarbonate-Faceshield/dp/B007JZ1QQQ/?tag=toolguyd-20 , it says “It is recommended that protective eyewear be worn under faceshields at all times” and “For industrial/occupational use only. Not for consumer sale or use.”
Here are a few more examples:
https://prod-edam.honeywell.com/content/dam/honeywell-edam/sps/his/en-us/products/ecomm/webmasters/documents/sps-his-UvexBionic0000.pdf
“Meets ANSI Z87.1-2015 (High Impact)”
“Perfect for workers exposed to falling or flying objects, impact, chemical splash, and airborne debris*”
“*Face shield offers secondary protection and MUST be worn with certified safety eyewear.”
3M: https://multimedia.3m.com/mws/media/1334443O/3m-psd-hefh-2823-head-face-matrix-poster-50×38-hr.pdf
“All faceshields meet ANSI Z87.1 and must be worn with protective eyewear.”
https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/p/d/b00036861/
“Meets the requirements of ANSI Z87.1…”
“Protective eyewear should be worn under faceshields at all times”
https://www.pyramex.com/products/polycarbonate-face-shield
“ANSI/ISEA Z87.1-2020 + High Impact”
https://www.pyramex.com/cdn/shop/files/S1020_PC_Face_Shield_ANSI_Product_Spec_Sheet_HiRes.pdf
“Meets Z87+”
“Offers secondary protection and must be worn with spectacles or goggles.”
Munklpunk
I like Milwaukee safety glasses but they scratch like butter.
Stuart T
I may look at the Milwaukee glasses when they beome available but I’ve found these “No Cry” OTG glasses pretty good:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071RSM598/
Joe H
I’m a big fan of face shields because they are harder to fog up and also if I lay car sometimes rust or debris falls on my cheek and goes up under safety glasses. I do have some safely glasses that have foam to try and seal a bit more but it’s hard for the foam to fit perfectly to my face. I don’t really have to deal with the shape of safety glasses fitting my face perfectly with a face shield.