Bolle

EN 166 Certification & Impact Grades Explained

EN 166 is the European standard for personal eye protection. Every Bollé product is tested independently to confirm it meets impact resistance, optical quality, and field-of-vision requirements. But the certification alone doesn't tell you which hazards you're protected against—that's determined by the impact grade marking.

Impact grade F covers general workshop use: light debris, dust, and low-velocity particles. Grade B handles higher velocity impacts—metal shavings from machining, chipping stone, or flying fragments. Grade A is for high-energy impacts: angle grinding, shot blasting, or heavy industrial cutting. Don't automatically pick the highest grade. Grade A lenses are thicker and heavier, which reduces comfort for tasks that don't actually need that level of protection.

Optical Class and Lens Clarity

Optical class measures how much distortion the lens introduces. Class 1 lenses have minimal distortion and are suitable for continuous wear throughout a full shift. Class 2 and 3 lenses have progressively more distortion and should only be worn intermittently. Most Bollé safety glasses use Class 1 optics, which is why they don't cause the eye strain and headaches common with cheaper alternatives.

Lens tint affects visibility in different lighting. Clear lenses work indoors and in low light—workshops, warehouses, laboratories. Grey lenses reduce brightness without changing colour perception, useful for outdoor construction or bright factory floors. Amber or yellow lenses boost contrast in overcast conditions or variable indoor lighting, which is why they're common in automotive workshops and manufacturing lines. UV protection (UV 400) is standard across most Bollé ranges and blocks harmful ultraviolet radiation outdoors or near welding arcs.

Frame Weight and Comfort for Long Shifts

Safety glasses that cause discomfort get taken off or worn incorrectly, which defeats the point. Bollé keeps frame weight between 20 and 35 grams for most models. That's light enough to avoid pressure marks on the nose bridge or behind the ears during an 8-hour shift, but substantial enough to stay secure during movement.

Frame material varies by model. Nylon offers a good balance of lightness and durability for general use. TR-90 thermoplastic is more flexible and resists breakage if sat on or dropped. Specialist composites resist chemical exposure in lab or cleaning environments. Adjustable temple arms and nose pieces aren't luxury features—they let workers get a secure fit without needing multiple frame sizes in stock.

Specific Bollé Ranges and When to Use Them

The Contour range offers wraparound coverage with side shields and ventilation ports to prevent fogging. Suitable for general industrial work where debris can come from multiple angles. The B808 series uses thicker polycarbonate lenses and reinforced frames—built for heavy industrial sites with high impact risks. The Rush is Bollé's ultralight option at 26 grams, designed for workers who move frequently or work in hot environments where weight becomes fatiguing.

Silium models use a chemically resistant frame material, which matters in laboratories, cleaning, or chemical handling where solvents or acids could degrade standard plastics. The Tracker II has adjustable temple length and angle, making it compatible with hard hats and helmets—common in construction, utilities, and site work. Prescription inserts are available across most ranges, letting workers with corrective lenses get the same protection without switching between regular glasses and safety specs.

UK Regulations and HSE Requirements

The Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations require employers to provide suitable eye protection where workplace hazards exist. The HSE is clear that 'suitable' means matched to the actual risk—not just the highest specification available. A laboratory technician working with low-risk chemicals doesn't need the same impact grade as someone operating an angle grinder.

Common specification errors happen when buyers choose based on brand reputation or maximum protection ratings without assessing the specific hazards present. Bollé ranges cover the full spectrum from light industrial use to heavy-duty environments, but the selection has to be deliberate. Over-specifying adds unnecessary weight and cost; under-specifying leaves workers unprotected. Match the impact grade, optical class, and lens type to what your people actually face on site.