Posts in category: Eye Protection

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

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

Looking for the right pair of safety glasses can be an intimidating task, but it doesn’t have to be! Protecting your eyes is essential, so we’ve compiled a list of things to consider when selecting safety eyewear for maximum protection and comfort. 

 First and foremost; and make sure your eyewear is ANSI Z87.1 certified, which is essential for ensuring adequate protection from potential dangers and threats. It’s not just a workplace standard; it’s essential for home and recreational wear as well. 

Next, comfort. Nobody wants to wear safety glasses that pinch or slip off during the workday. Comfortability is achieved with the right fitting frame that doesn’t have pressure points on your nose, head, or ears. Look for frames that combine hard and soft components for all-day wear. 

But a good fit goes beyond comfort. When it comes to safety, it also means getting a close-to-face fit without gaps and securely held in place when you move your head. Don’t forget to keep your peripheral vision unobstructed too.  Learn how to properly fit eyewear here.

Performance is equally important. Look for wide-angle lenses with sleek optical quality to minimize blind spots, eye fatigue, and headaches. Lens coating and tints play a role in performance capabilities:  

Lens coatings can make your eyewear more versatile and last longer. For anyone dealing with varying temperatures and high humidity, choose lenses with anti-fog treatments. And for anyone dealing with indoor and outdoor conditions, clear lenses with a thin mirror coating may be the perfect solution. UV ray protection is needed outdoors as the sun’s ultraviolet radiation can cause a range of conditions, from mild irritation to cataracts and cancer of the conjunctiva. Choose eyewear that provides at least 99% UV protection.   

When it comes to lens tints, options vary, from clear lenses to gray for partial sunlight exposure in some indoor/outdoor applications. Amber lenses are best for low-light conditions as they enhance contrast, while smoke lenses filter out some harmful UV rays. Polarized lenses are perfect for filtering glare and enhancing contrast. 

If you have visual needs like rX prescription or bi-focals, most eyewear can accommodate. There are also “stick-on” bifocals and prescription inserts that can be purchased separately.  

Be sure to select the proper eyewear for the hazards in your workplace. Overprotection is just as dangerous as underprotection. Overprotection can cause you to remove the eyewear or skew vision in certain environments; leaving you susceptible to hazards and injury.

There you go, folks, our guide for selecting the right safety eyewear for you. Fit, Fashion, and Function should be your guide. Choose eyewear that fits properly and functions seamlessly and looks fashionable. You’ll be more likely to wear them when they tick all the boxes!  

Browse our Protective Eyewear

Click here to read about the difference between safety glasses, safety goggles and faceshields.

Learn more about ANSI and OSHA regulations on eyewear HERE.

Learn how to properly fit eyewear here.

1. https://prochoicesafetygear.com/ppe/blog/personal-protective-equipment/choosing-safety-glasses-vs-goggles-vs-face-shields/#:~:text=Markedly%2C%20safety%20glasses%20allow%20air,worn%20over%20spectacles%20or%20goggles
2. https://www.hexarmor.com/posts/four-things-to-consider-before-purchasing-safety-eyewear