How uvex delivered task-specific eyewear solutions for a specialist sterilisation facility

A specialist sterilisation facility in Doncaster provides applied sterilisation solutions for industries where hygiene, safety and precision are critical. The workforce operates in a variety of controlled environments, from sterile laboratories with bright overhead lighting to warehouse areas with high racking and intense glare.

The company’s welfare committee identified discomfort with existing eyewear as a recurring concern among employees. Many reported poor fit, particularly for smaller face sizes, as well as issues with glare, fogging and compatibility with prescription glasses.

uvex was first contacted by the site’s lab manager after he found the company’s contact details online while researching prescription eyewear options. Their initial discussion covered uvex’s UK prescription range and its online ordering portal, which impressed the manager with its ease of use and same-day account setup.

This led to a wider conversation about safety eyewear in general, culminating in an invitation for the uvex expert to visit the site during one of its welfare days.

A full site tour and assessment revealed:

• Poor fit: Many employees, particularly those with smaller faces, struggled with standard over-glasses and sealed eyewear.
• Lighting issues: The sterile, bright-white lab environment caused workers to squint, while forklift operators in the warehouse faced glare from overhead lighting when loading at height.
• Fogging and humidity: In certain zones with high humidity (50–60°C), eyewear lenses would mist over, affecting visibility.
• Varying environments: Staff moved between areas with different light and humidity levels, requiring versatile eyewear solutions.
• Sterilisation: Some areas required autoclave-safe eyewear to maintain strict hygiene standards.
• Prescription needs: Some roles required prescription eyewear that could also address glare and blue light.

uvex prepared a detailed report with recommended eyewear tailored to each environment:

• For bright laboratory conditions uvex CBR65 lens to reduce blue light and glare, improving visual comfort and reducing squinting.
• For high humidity zones: Lenses with an anti-fog coating applied to both sides of the lens helped to prevent fogging and maintain clarity when moving between temperature and humidity extremes.
• For warehouse forklift operators: the uvex CBR65 lens helped reduce glare caused by high racking and bright overhead lighting, improving visual comfort and focus
• For prescription wearers: uvex super OTG with CBR lens provided glare and blue light protection while fitting over prescription glasses.
• Sterile applications: the uvex CR safety eyewear features the uvex supravision clean coating. This innovative technology delivers autoclavable performance withstanding up to 20 sterilisation cycles at 121°C while maintaining exceptional anti-fog clarity on the inside and scratch resistance on the outside.

uvex then returned to the site to run an eyewear fit clinic. Employees attended in small groups, trialled different styles, and received guidance on the best fit and lens choice for their roles. The interactive sessions generated high engagement, with staff expressing appreciation for being involved in the selection process.

By taking the time to understand the unique challenges of the facility and tailoring solutions to each environment, uvex delivered a comprehensive eyewear strategy that addressed comfort, safety, and operational requirements. The fit clinics not only improved PPE performance but also strengthened employee engagement and buy-in, ensuring the right eyewear is worn consistently and with confidence.