Serious question, do you always wear safety glasses on site?

I was doing a demo job on a 1980s house in Spokane last spring, just pulling down some old drywall. I wasn't wearing my glasses because it was just 'soft' work. A hidden nail shot back and hit me right next to my eye. Now I wear them for everything, no excuses. But I know some guys who still skip them for certain tasks. Where do you draw the line?

3 comments

3 Comments

kelly.pat2d ago

Same with seatbelts, @dylan_ward. People skip 'easy' drives.

dylan_ward3d ago

A hidden nail in drywall is no joke, that's terrifying. I don't draw a line anymore after seeing a guy get a metal shaving in his eye. Safety glasses are just part of the uniform now, like putting on pants.

nora_murphy2d ago

My uncle worked construction for thirty years and never wore safety glasses. He always said he was careful enough. Last year a piece of a drill bit flew off and he's now blind in one eye. I get the uniform idea, but for some guys it's a pride thing they won't let go of, not just forgetting. That mindset is the real problem to fix.