[Mike Betts]

This practice has evolved from the workplace with both regulatory agencies (OSHA, et cetera) and financial agencies (insurance companies, et cetera) pushing companies to adopt strict "blanket" safety policies.

Long ago, it was recognized that requiring all employees and visitors on the "shop" floor to always wear safety glasses removed the chance that an unprotected person would inadvertently wander into an area where a hazardous operation was taking place and be hurt. It also removes the "judgment" factor: "I didn't think it was all that dangerous".

Bottom line: If it did not result in measurable differences in casualties, companies would not pay for the glasses.

Last word: As "handicapped accessible" and non-discriminatory as we think we have become, no one will hire a blind engineer...

Regards,

Mike