ANSI certification is not just for vests and workplace apparel. ANSI certifications have been introduced for a whole range of different standards and products, including eye wear and face safety gear. The ANSI Z87.1 certification covers the specifications for safety eyewear in the workplace, to protect both workers and employers from workplace injuries and their effects. What does the ANSI Z87.1 certification cover and who needs to use it? Here we look at this ANSI standard in more detail and examine how it could affect your business.

What Is the ANSI Z87.1 Certification?

$\"$ The ANSI Z87.1 certification, known professionally as ANSI/ISEA Z87.1-2015, provides details regarding the design, performance and marking/labeling of safety eye wear and safety face wear in the workplace. The ANSI Z87.1 certification covers safety goggles, spectacles, face shields, and helmets for those in a range of workplaces and industries including manufacturing, research, education facilities, and more.

The certification was developed by the Z87 Committee on Safety Eye and Face Protection, which is administered by the International Safety Equipment Association (ISEA). This standard was then approved by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and is now used across the U.S. and has been incorporated into OSHA regulations for personal protective equipment.

What Are the Requirements for the ANSI Z87.1 Certification?

The full requirements are outlined in the ANSI Z87.1 document, but as many people are unlikely to read this, the ANSI Z87.1 certification provides a system based on the hazards you are most likely to encounter in the workplace.

The specific hazards you may encounter in the workplace can include:

Blunt impact
Radiation
Splashes and droplets
Dust
Small dust particles

The ANSI Z87.1 certified safety glasses are tested extensively according to these hazards to assess their safety and performance in the workplace. Testing can involve primary and high impact tests for lenses and frames, exposure to non-ionizing radiation and chemicals, and durability to flame and corrosion.

The Importance of ANSI Z87.1 Safety Certification Markings

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From 2010, all ANSI certified eyewear is required to have lens and frame markings that indicate the ratings of the eyewear, to help make the selection process easier. Eyewear that meets a particular standard will have the marking for that aspect. This indication usually includes a letter to indicate the category, which may then be followed by a number to indicate the rating.

The product markings as per each area are as follows:

Impact: “Z87+” shows high-velocity impact, and “Z87” alone means basic impact
Splash and droplet: D3 for splash and droplet and D4 for dust
Fine dust: D5
Welding: W plus the shade number
UV: U plus the scale number
Infrared light: R plus the scale number
Visible light filter: L plus the scale number
Prescription: Z87-2 on the front of the front of the frame and both temples
Head size: H indicates products designed for smaller head sizes
Other: V for photochromic and S for special lens tint

Eyes are one of the most delicate, complex and important parts of the body, and it’s important to protect them on the job. Find a provider who offers ANSI Z87.1 certified safety goggles and glasses to protect your business and your workers better.

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