We only have two eyes, it’s crucial we take care of them. 😎 Understanding how crucial eye protection is, and the laws and standards surrounding them can get over. Heres a quick guide that makes all that information digestible.
QUICK FACTS
- 2000 work-related eye injuries require medical treatment DAILY*
- 16000 work related eye injuries that result in days missed from work**
- 90% of these injuries could have been PREVENTED if proper eye protection was used
HOW DO INJURIES HAPPEN?
- Projectiles: small peices ejected by tools, moved by the wind or falling from above.
- Liquid Splash, Droplets and Sprays: could contain harmful chemicals or bacteria.
- Dust, Debris and Fine Particles: Common in construction, demolition and manufacturing.
- Fog: Not itself much of a hazard, but can compromise visibility
- Light: harmful UVs or infrared, other non-harmful light can compromise visibility
OSHA
According to OSHA, Eye and Face Protective Devices MUST Comply with ANSI/IDEA Z87.1
- OSHA General Industry Standard – 29 CFR 1910.133
- OSHA Construction Standard: 29 CFR 1926.102
ANSI
Z87.1 Min Requirements
Optical: View must not be obstructed or blurry
Physical:
- Device will not ignite
- Made from non-corrosive materials
- Min frontal coverage
- Min impact resistance
Marking and Label:
- Ratings
- Placement
- Packaging
ANSI Z.87.1+ Impact Test
| TYPE | TEST | PASS CRITERIA |
| HIGH VELOCITY | Shall resist impact from a 0.25″ steel ball traveling: Glasses: 150′ /sec Goggles: 250 / sec Face shield 300′ / sec | No contact with eye, no piece shall detach from spectacle and lens shall not fracture |
| HIGH MASS | Shall resist impact from 17.6 oz projectile dropped from a height of 50″ | No piece shall detatch from spectacle and lens shall not fracture |
| PENETRATION | Shall resist penetration from low mass weighted needle dropped from a heigh of 50″ | Lens shall not be penetrated |
| LATERAL COVERAGE | Impact rated protectors must offer min amount of coverage | Extend >= 10mm behind corneal plane >= 10mm in heigh above and below horizontal plane no openings > 1.5mm in diameter |
ANSI Z.87.1+ Optional Ratings
| TYPE | TEST |
| LIQUID SPLASH | Devices rated D3 Liquid Splash and Droplet – prevents liquid splash and droplets from penetrating the device, mainly dependent on seal integrity of the device. |
| DUST RATED | Devices rated D4 – preventing dust & debris from penetrating the device. |
| ANTI FOG RATED | Devices rated anti-fog “X” prevent fog. |
Click here to read about the difference between safety glasses, safety goggles and faceshields.
Read about how to properly fit eyewear here.
Learn more about what to consider when selecting eyewear here.
* according to the CDC
**2020 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
