How to Protect Office Workers from Snow Blindness with Tinted Windows

During the average workday, the sun will change positions multiple times. This situation can be frustrating for office workers if their windows face areas where the sun sets early in the day. For example, the rising sun may create a glare off of a computer screen that makes reading the screen difficult. Even worse, this sunlight may cause fatigue and the need for workers to take regular breaks.

This problem can result in lost work hours because employees may have to get up and move away from their screen. Even worse, the risk of eye damage increases, particularly when the ground gets snowy. Snow reflects sunlight, particularly UV rays, back into the area. These UV rays may make their way into an office and trigger other issues, including snow blindness.

Snow blindness happens when the cornea of the eye gets exposed to excessive levels of UV rays. Essentially, the cornea gets sunburned and experiences a multitude of painful symptoms. In some instances, snow blindness may trigger temporary instances of blindness.

And while this risk isn't huge in offices that face away from the sun, those buildings with large windows that face the sun may be at a higher risk of this issue. For example, employees looking out the window during a break in work may be exposed to high levels of UV rays from the sun and its reflection, potentially causing snow blindness.

However, window tints provide a powerful tool for avoiding this danger. Window tints come in many different protective levels and can block multiple levels of light. And these tints fit very comfortably on most office windows, providing maximum protection from snow blindness and other sun glare issues.

Companies looking to protect their employees from sun glare must install window tint in different areas. The following spots would be ideal to install window tints in an office building.

Major Sitting Areas: If there is a large section of an office where many people sit, try to put window tint in this area to minimize sun glare issues. For example, tints in work areas protect employees for the majority of the day.

Computers and Storage Rooms: Intense sun glare, even reflections off of snow, may cause a computer room to warm up without a proper window tint.

East-Facing Windows: During most of the workday, the sun will come from the east. Tint the windows on this side of the building to protect employees from glare.

Employees Break Areas: Break rooms in an office with window access should include tints to avoid sun glare problems while employees enjoy their lunch or supper.

These areas should provide a suitable destination for window tint in an office building. However, window tint may also benefit other areas, such as outdoor sitting rooms with protective windows. This tinting can help both in the winter and in the summer as well.