Eye Protection – items that are specifically designed to support both indoor and outdoor operations in the hardware (e.g.; General Contracting), automotive, farm and ranch, and manufacturing segments.
Respiratory Protection – for do-it-yourselfer (DIY) and Light Industrial applications. Products range from Nuisance Dust Masks designed for non-toxic nuisance dusts (e.g., woodworking) to organic vapor respirators. All are NIOSH 95.
Hearing Protection – from low to maximum levels of industrial noise. All meet the Noise Reduction Ratio’s (NRR) guidelines of Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and National Institute for Occupations Safety & Health (NIOSH).
Head Protection – from light-duty Bump-Caps to light-industrial protection Hardhats. Hard hats are Type II, Class G helmets, conform to ANSI Z89.1-1997 and 29 CFR 1910.35 and are proof tested at 2,200 volts.
Welding Helmets and Goggles – for DIY thru Industrial needs. Our Helmets fit the good, better, best methodology. Forney® Goggles are for Oxy-Acetylene applications only. Helmets and goggles meet all required ANSI Z87.1-2003 standards.
Vehicle Safety – a general vehicle safety solution ranging from Safety Cones and Triangles to Flashlights. This offering is an excellent solution for the “essential” items needed for college students, etc.
Protective Clothing – centered on welding and metal working this is a good selection for both DIY and Industrial type applications.
Eye Protection
Eye Protection Standards
The current standard is ANSI Z87.1-2003. It is required by OSHA for all safety eyewear. There are two categories of protection involved in this standard – Basic Impact and High Impact.
High Impact eyewear has a Z87+ marked on the frame and/or lens. Eyewear that meets Z87+ has gone through more rigorous high mass and high velocity impact testing. This eyewear also offers greater side coverage than the previous ANSI requirement. High Impact safety glasses eyewear is the only type of eyewear we carry.
Basic Impact eyewear has a Z87 marked on the frame and/or lens. Basic Impact eyewear features mainly glass lenses. They have less impact and penetration protection. We do not carry Basic Impact eyewear.
Safety Glasses: UVA/UVB Protection
UV inhibitors are mixed into the polycarbonate material when the protective lenses are molded. All Forney® Safety Glasses provide 99.9% UV protection (Both UVA and UVB).
Safety Glasses: Visual Light Transmission (VLT)
All lenses have a visual light transmission rating or VLT. Visual light transmission is the amount of visible light that can pass through a lens. For example, a lens with a VLT of 12% allows roughly 12% of light to penetrate the lens (and, therefore, blocks 88% of visible light).
Safety Glasses: Lens Color Guide
| Lens Color | Conditions | Suggested For | VLT | UV Absorption |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clear | Use indoors, outdoors in normal light conditions where true color recognition is required. | Landscaping • Construction • Roofing • Transportation | 92% | >99.9% |
| Blue Mirror | Outdoors. Best for excessive glare and eye fatigue. | Landscaping • Masons • Construction • Utility Work • Roofing • Transportation | 15% | >99.9% |
| Amber | Indoor. Provides a high level of Contrast. Allows for better definition. | Low Light Applications • Where Enhanced Contrast Is Needed | 90% | >99.9% |
| Grey | Outdoors | Landscaping • Construction • Utility Workers • Transportation | 15% | >99.9% |
| Brown and Grey | Outdoors, Enhances depth perception. | Landscaping • Construction • Roofing • Transportation • (Meets color traffic requirements) | 15% | >99.9% |
Safety Glasses: Lens Coating Guide
| Coating Options | Description | Forney Styles |
|---|---|---|
| Hard coated | Look for “Coated”, “Anti-Scratch”. Ideal for manufacturing and construction. Provide scratch resistance to polycarbonate. | Starlight Squared™, Scorpion™, Scorpion Mag™ Luminary™ , Hawk™, Malibu™, Malibu Jack™, X500™ Safety Goggles |
| Anti-fog | Ideal for workers performing in extremely hot, cold or humid conditions | X500™ Safety Goggles |
| Uncoated | More economical choice. Provides same degree of safety protection but are not scratch resistant. | Starlight™, Visitors Safety Glasses |
Goggle Venting Options
| Venting Options | Description | Forney Styles |
|---|---|---|
| Indirect Vent | Protects against chemical liquids, splashes and dusts. Somewhat breathable | Splash Resistant Goggles |
| Direct Vent | Particulate protection (grinding, cutting, dusty applications). Offer maximum airflow | Dust Goggles |
| Non-Vent | Offer the best protection against liquids and dusts, but they do not breathe at all. | X500™, Odyssey II™ |
Face Shield Guide
| Type of Face shield | Description | Forney Styles |
|---|---|---|
| Poly Carbonate | Chemical resistant, moderate scratch resistant, most impact resistant, most expensive. | Green Grinding Face Shields |
| PETG | Compared to polycarbonate, PETG is less expensive and more chemical-resistant, but less impact resistant. PETG offers poor scratch resistance. | None |
| Propionate | Compared to polycarbonate, Propionate is less expensive and more chemical-resistant, but less impact resistant. | None |
| Acetate | Compared to polycarbonate, comparable price, chemical and scratch resistant, less impact resistant. | Clear Grinding Face Shields |
Headgear Comparison
Pinlock
- Simple snap and lock system.
- Attaches to the users head with a locking mechanism. Rather like a man’s belt.
- Most economical.
- Must be removed from head to be adjusted
Ratchet
- Quick ratchet adjusting knob
- Loosens or tightens “on the go” with a simple turn of the knob
- More comfortable to wear on job sites all day long
- Slightly more expensive
Respirators and Dust Masks
Respiratory protection items can be used for both everyday do-it-yourself-er (DIY) and light industrial applications. Products range from Nuisance Dust Masks designed to protect against non-toxic, nuisance dusts (e.g.; woodworking) to organic vapor type respirators. All of Forney respirators meet NIOSH 95 approval and protect against dusts, fumes, micro-organisms & non-oil containing materials.
What is the main difference between respirators with an exhale valve compared to without?
Both provide the same protection, the difference being that an N95 respirator with exhalation valve reduces heat and humidity providing a cooler and more comfortable fit.
How do I know which type of respirator to use for a particular job?
N-Series (N95, N99 and N100)
N-Series particulate respirators are NOT resistant to oil and therefore provide protection against solid and liquid aerosol particulates that do NOT contain oil. Examples of common non-oil based solid particulates include “dust” particles related to coal, iron ore, flour, metal, wood and pollen and non-oil based liquids. The difference between an N95, N99 and N100 respirator is simply the filter’s efficiency level (i.e. N95 = NOT Resistant to solids and liquids which contain oil and provides 95% efficiency). The higher the efficiency, the more particulates the respirator will filter out. Of these three efficiency levels, the N95 is the commonly used. It is important to note that N-Series respirators have a non-specific service life, and can be used as long as the mask is not damaged or breathing resistances are not detected.
R-Series (R95)
Unlike the N-Series, the R-Series particulate respirators are resistant to oil, which means they provide protection against both solid and liquid aerosol particulates that may contain oil. R-series respirators, however, are only certified for up to 8 hours of service life. Due to these specific service life restrictions, R-Series particulate respirators are the least common type of particulate respirators.
P-Series (P95 & P100)
P-Series particulate respirators are similar to the R-series in that they provide protection against both solid and liquid aerosol particulates that may contain oil. The service life of P-Series particulate respirators, however, is substantially longer, with NIOSH recommended disposal after 40 hours or 30 days of use, whichever comes first. This extended service life is contingent on the mask being undamaged with no detectable breathing resistances.
Note: To help you remember the filter series, use the following guide:
- N for Not resistant to oil,
- R for Resistant to oil
- P for oil Proof
In Accordance with NIOSH, CDC, and OSHA recommendations, N95 Respirators can be used for the following applications;
Welding
Grinding
Metal Machining
Aluminum Processing
Brazing
Buffing
Cement Work
Torch Cutting
Non-toxic paint spraying
Foundries
Metal Working
Sanding
Soldering
Installing Insulation
How long can a particulate respirator be used before it must be discarded?
N95 respirator reuse is often referred to as “limited reuse”. A respirator classified as disposable may be reused by the same worker as long as it functions properly. Before each use, the outside of the filter material should be inspected. If the filter material is physically damaged or soiled, the filter should be changed (in the case of respirators with replaceable filters) or the respirator discarded (in the case of disposable respirators). Always follow the respirator filter manufacturer’s service-time-limit recommendations.
What are organic vapors?
Organic Vapors are typically Carbon-based chemicals. Most common are found in areas with parts cleaning, painting, solvents, and metal based fumes.
Additional resources
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/96-101/
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/96-101/appendices.html
Welding Helmets or Hoods
For our Welding Helmets we offer several options with a good, better, best methodology. Forney Welding Goggles are designed for Oxy-Acetylene applications only. We offer several different variations in both standard and deluxe options. Forney Welding Helmets and Goggles meet all required ANSI Z87.1-2003 standards.
How can I find out the optical class rating of my welding helmet?
Auto-darkening welding lenses have a classification system in European Standard EN379. All Forney Welding Helmets meet ANSI and ISEA standards with an EN379 Optical Class Rating.
What do the numbers in the optical class ratings signify?
Classifications range from 1 to 3, with 1 being the best;
- 1/2/2/3 Optical class
- 1/2/2/3 Diffusion of light class.
- 1/2/2/3 Transmittance class.
- 1/2/2/3 Angle dependency class (optional marking)
What is lens speed or switching speed?
This number tells how fast the lens will switch from its natural light state, to the selected darkened shade when welding begins. The quicker a welder’s eyes are shaded from the high-intensity light, the better. Too slow a reaction time will cause arc flash (eye discomfort that feels like a dry scratchy sensation).
What are the typical switching speeds that are used in the market?
- Entry-level: 1/3,600 to 1/10,000 of a second – Low welding activities (short period, short duration).
- Intermediate: 1/25,000 of a second – Moderate welding activities (longer periods and duration).
- Professional/Industrial: 1/30,000 of a second – Ideal for all day use and longer durations.
What are Adjustable Sensitivity Controls?
Provide the ability to adjust how much brightness will trigger the lens to darken Sensitivity control is useful when welding at low amperages (e.g.; when the arc isn’t as bright as the welding process during TIG welding)
- Forney entry level ADF welding helmet sensitivity controls are internal only.
- Forney intermediate and professional/industrial has both internal and external controls for sensitivity.
What are Adjustable Delay Controls?
Enables you to set how long the lens stays dark after the welding arc stops.
- Short delay – assists in getting a job done faster as you reposition for the next weld.
- Long delay – helpful when performing jobs that require welding at high amperages as it prevents users from looking at the weld zone after the arc extinguishes.
What are sensors?
Sensors detect the bright light of a welding arc, causing a the viewing window to darken like sunglasses. The general rule of thumb is the more the sensors, better the coverage, higher the response, and less chance that the helmet will fail to darken as necessary.
- Forney entry level ADF welding helmets feature 2 sensors.
- Forney intermediate and professional/industrial feature 4 sensors.
