Every day, 2,000 work-related eye injuries require medical attention in the U.S.* Even more concerning, 16,000 of these injuries result in lost workdays.** The good news? 90% of these injuries could have been prevented with proper eye protection.
How Do Injuries Happen?
Eye injuries occur in various ways, often due to lack of proper protection or non-compliance with safety standards. Common causes include:
Light Exposure – Harmful UV or infrared radiation, as well as excessive glare
Projectiles – Small particles from tools, wind-blown debris, or falling materials.
Liquids & Sprays – Chemicals, bacteria, or other harmful substances.
Dust & Fine Particles – A major risk in construction, demolition, and manufacturing.
Fog – Reduces visibility, increasing overall workplace hazards.
Eye Protection Standards: What You Need to Know
OSHA requires that all eye and face protection comply with ANSI/ISEA Z87.1 standards, ensuring adequate protection in hazardous environments. Relevant regulations include:
- OSHA General Industry Standard – 29 CFR 1910.133
- OSHA Construction Standard – 29 CFR 1926.102
These standards ensure protective eyewear meets strict impact resistance, coverage, and material requirements.
Minimum Requirements for Safety Eyewear
Optical Clarity: Unobstructed, clear vision without blurriness.
Physical Durability:
- Must not ignite or corrode.
- Provides sufficient frontal coverage and impact resistance.
Markings & Labels:
- Proper ratings, placement, and packaging must be clearly identified.
ANSI Z87.1+ IMPACT TESTS
| 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 detach 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 |
Additional ANSI Z87.1+ Ratings
For specialized protection, eyewear may include:
- D3 Liquid Splash Protection – Shields against liquid splash and droplets.
- D4 Dust Protection – Prevents dust and debris penetration.
- Anti-Fog (X) Rating – Reduces fogging for clear visibility.
Protect Your Vision – Choose the Right Eye Protection
Workplace eye injuries are preventable. Ensure compliance with ANSI/ISEA Z87.1 standards and invest in the right protective eyewear to maintain safety on the job. To learn more about the specifics of selecting eye protection, read our blog post here.
Browse our eye protection HERE.
*Source: CDC | **2020 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
