What feature should safety glasses have when used with a welding mask?

When using safety glasses in conjunction with a welding mask, the important feature of having side shields is crucial for ensuring comprehensive protection. Side shields provide extra coverage around the periphery of the eyes, which helps protect against flying debris, UV radiation, and other potential hazards associated with welding activities. This added feature effectively reduces the chance of eye injuries from sides or angles that may not be adequately shielded by the welding mask alone.

While other features like polarized lenses, UV protection, and anti-fog coatings have their own benefits, they do not specifically address the need for lateral protection that side shields provide when working in environments where welding occurs. For instance, UV protection is important, but if the safety glasses do not have side shields, the eyes remain vulnerable to hazards entering from the sides. Therefore, the inclusion of side shields on safety glasses is essential for enhancing overall safety during welding operations.