Protection while working with fiber optics

Disclaimer: I'm not a safety inspector, but I have been handling fiber-optics almost daily, without mishap, for nearly 20 years.

The danger is there, but shouldn't be over-hyped. A laser-pointer is much more dangerous.
As long as you don't look straight into an active transceiver (or a cable-ending that has an active transceiver on the other end) nothing can happen.

In my opinion: All the warnings in the manuals and on the packaging are more intended to make sure the manufacturer can't be sued into oblivion by some lawyer in litigation-happy USA.

General advice:
Keep the protective covers on unused transceivers and fiber-patches. Only remove them when plugin something in. (They also act as dust-cover which is just as important!)
When patching fiber or inserting optics in a device just make sure you keep the optic NOT at eye-level. That way you will never be looking straight at the laser-beam.
If you are handling a patch-cable that is already connected on the other end: Just make sure you keep the "open" end pointed to the floor or to the equipment-rack, away from your body (or anybody else in the vicinity).

As for safety glasses. I have never heard of them. I don't think they would work either. You would need something equivalent to a welders-mask, meaning you can't see anything at all when wearing such glasses.