Protecting your eyes (and the rest of your body) on the job site isn’t just a suggestion—it’s critical. In this post (and its accompanying video), we subject standard Z87.1-rated safety glasses to a barrage of tests using pin nailers, brad nailers, finish nailers, and more. Plus, we look at cut-resistant gloves and knee pads to see how they hold up against sharp tools and molten solder.
Eye Protection Tests
1. Pin Nailer
- Setup: A standard pin nailer firing into a dummy head wearing various safety glasses.
- Result: Nails that hit the glasses typically bounced off without penetrating the lens. In some cases, they did leave small scuffs or dimples, but the glasses prevented any hypothetical “eye injury.”
2. Brad Nailer
- Setup: A brad nailer firing slightly larger nails than the pin nailer.
- Observations: While the nails stuck deeply into the dummy’s “skin,” the glasses themselves showed only minor damage. None of the lenses fractured or let nails through.
3. Finish Nailer (a.k.a. “The Big Dog”)
- Setup: Larger-gauge nails fired at close range.
- Outcome: The lens took some impact marks but did not shatter or allow penetration into the eye area.
Key Takeaway (Eye Protection)
Any Z87.1-rated glasses significantly reduce or prevent penetrating injuries from common jobsite nailers. Even if the frames sustain damage, your eyes remain protected. However, if your glasses get hit, consider replacing them; they may be structurally compromised.
Hand Protection (Cut-Resistant Gloves)
Glove Types
- Glove A (Not cut-rated)
- Glove B (A4 cut resistance)
- Glove C (A6 cut resistance)
Test: Knife, Razor Blade, Scissors
- Knife: Light to moderate slicing attempts.
- Razor: More precise, deeper potential cut.
- Scissors: Prying the fabric apart with a cutting motion.
Observations
- Non-Cut-Rated Glove: Quickly sliced by a razor, though it still provided some basic protection.
- A4 Glove: Deflected most casual knife swipes. Razor required more pressure to penetrate.
- A6 Glove: Offered the best resistance; deeper pressure was needed to cut through.
Key Takeaway (Glove Protection)
Higher cut-resistance ratings (A4, A6, etc.) matter if you’re frequently working around sharp tools. Even the best glove won’t make you immune to cuts, but it buys you time and reduces severity in accidental blade contact.
Knee Pad Testing with Molten Solder
Scenario
Plumbers often kneel while soldering pipes overhead or at floor level. Molten solder can drip onto knees, potentially burning through ordinary fabric.
Test
- Equipment: Common knee pads for trades.
- Method: Melt solder directly onto the knee pad surface.
Observations
- The solder beaded up on the pad’s top coating.
- While it left surface marks, it did not fully melt or burn through.
- Pad remained structurally intact and still usable.
Key Takeaway (Knee Pad Protection)
Quality knee pads can handle brief contact with molten solder, though it may leave cosmetic marks. This is a significant improvement over normal work pants, which might scorch or allow hot metal to soak through.
Sponsored by Ferguson
Ferguson supplies professionals with quality materials and safety gear. Beyond selling pipes and fittings, they provide the protective equipment tradespeople rely on daily. If you value reliable products that help keep you safe, check out Ferguson’s extensive offerings for plumbing, HVAC, and other trades.
Conclusion
From eye protection to gloves and knee pads, quality safety gear can be the difference between a close call and a life-changing injury. While no equipment is 100% foolproof, real-world tests with nailers, blades, and solder demonstrate just how effective modern PPE can be. If you’re serious about jobsite safety, invest in high-rated glasses, properly cut-resistant gloves, and knee pads that can handle the heat—literally.
