UV Safety on the Bay Floor

Technician wearing dark safety sunglasses and a hard hat on the job

July 2026 / UV Safety Month

UV doesn'tclock out.

July is UV Safety Month. Open bay doors, lot inspections, and road tests keep techs in direct and reflected UV.

01 / Lot inspections 02 / Road tests 03 / Open-bay work

The actual workday

UV is not a beach problem.

NIOSH treats sun exposure as a workplace hazard for outdoor workers. Tire-service work creates repeated transitions between a dim bay, an open door, and a bright lot.

CDC guidance says sunglasses should block 99 to 100 percent of UV-A and UV-B. NIOSH also recommends side coverage where possible.

MorningVehicles outside
MiddayOpen bay doors
AfternoonRoad tests
All shiftShade to glare

Do not confuse the labels

Two ratings.
Two different jobs.

01 / Sun exposure UV

Protection from UV-A and UV-B

Look for an explicit 99 to 100 percent UV-A and UV-B claim on the specific lens. Dark tint alone is not the specification.

02 / Work impact Z87+

Protection for the job hazard

Use the hazard assessment and verify the required ANSI marking on the specific frame and lens. A sunglass is not automatically safety eyewear.

You do not have to choose between sun protection and impact protection. Safety-rated sunglasses can provide both when the specific model carries both claims.

Worker wearing clear safety glasses while working beside a service truck Fit + coverage + rating

What to check

The lens is only part of it.

NIOSH recommends proper fit, coverage, comfort, and adequate peripheral vision. Side coverage matters when the workday includes both UV exposure and flying-particle hazards.

01
Verify the UV claim

Look for 99 to 100 percent UV-A and UV-B protection.

02
Verify the safety marking

Match the ANSI marking to the task and hazard assessment.

03
Check fit and side coverage

The pair has to stay in place and cover the actual exposure path.

04
Make it wearable

Comfort, fog control, and usable peripheral vision help keep the eyewear on.

Bright-sun work options

Sun protection can still look like something a tech chose.

CHAOS Moto carries a focused Heat Wave Visual crew line. Confirm the UV and Z87 markings on the exact frame and lens before ordering for a work program.

Heat Wave Visual through CHAOS MotoSee crew options and pricing.
Explore Heat Wave

Fast answers

Before you issue the pair.

Do dark lenses automatically block UV?

Do not rely on tint alone. Look for an explicit claim of 99 to 100 percent UV-A and UV-B protection on the specific lens.

Does UV protection mean impact protection?

No. UV protection and ANSI impact protection address different hazards. Verify both when the task requires both.

Can one pair provide both?

Yes. A safety-rated sunglass can combine UV protection with work-rated impact protection. Confirm both claims on the exact model.

What else matters besides the rating?

Fit, side coverage, comfort, fog control, and peripheral vision all affect whether the eyewear covers the hazard and stays on.

Sources: NIOSH, Sun Exposure at Work; CDC, Preventing Vision Loss; NIOSH, Eye Safety for Workers.

General safety information only. Employers should use a hazard assessment and applicable workplace requirements to select eye protection for each task.