ANSI Z87.1-1989 (R 1998) Practice for Occupational / Educational Eye and Face Protection
The American National Standards Institute's standard for eye and face protective devices is performance-oriented in intent. Every effort was made to develop requirements that assure the wearer of protection consistent with or better than ANSI Z87.1-1979. The new standard recognizes the Bureau of Labor Statistics study that revealed the need for angular protection in addition to frontal protection. Results of a study by the American Welding Society have been used to update and improve requirements for transmittance of devices intended for protection against optical radiation.
Occupational safety eyewear must comply with a stricter set of standards than dress eyewear. We recommend employers discourage employees from wearing dress eyewear where an occupational hazard exists. In addition, we recommend employees follow employer guidelines for eye protection in their work environment.
If you are an employer and wish to verify your employee is wearing industrial safety eyewear meeting the Z87.1 requirements: (1) Look at the eyeglass frame. It must be stamped with the logo: Z87. (2) Look at the lenses. In the upper temporal peripheral section of each lens the manufacturer stamps an identification marking, unique to each manufacturer. If there is no lens engraving, the lenses meet only dress eyewear impact resistance standards.
If you are a small employer looking to provide your employees with prescription safety eyewear, we can help you establish a program. Email Webmaster (link below) with request for information.
Updated Information:
New Federal Regulations have been established to change to an impact resistance standard, from simply a lens thickness standard. An update on this will be posted in the future. The above information is based on the prior 1989 3.0 mm thickness standard for all lens materials.