Detailed Introduction to ANSI Z87.1 Standard β Eye and Face Protection
1. Overview of ANSI Z87.1 Standard
- Full Name: ANSI Z87.1 β American National Standard for Occupational and Educational Personal Eye and Face Protection Devices
- Developed by: American National Standards Institute (ANSI) & International Safety Equipment Association (ISEA)
- Purpose: Establishes requirements for eye and face protection devices used in occupational, educational, and industrial environments to protect against hazards such as:
- Impact (flying debris, particles)
- Optical radiation (UV, IR, welding light)
- Liquid splashes (chemicals, molten metal)
- Dust and fine particles
- Non-ionizing radiation
The ANSI Z87.1 standard applies to safety glasses, goggles, face shields, and welding helmets. It ensures that protective eyewear meets performance, durability, and labeling requirements.
2. Importance of ANSI Z87.1 Certification
Occupational hazards can cause serious eye injuries such as:
π΄ Corneal abrasions from flying particles
π΄ Chemical burns from splashes
π΄ Retinal damage from intense light or lasers
π΄ Blindness from high-speed impacts
ANSI Z87.1 ensures that safety eyewear effectively minimizes risks in industries such as:
- Construction & Manufacturing β Flying debris, dust, and sparks
- Welding & Metalwork β Intense radiation, molten metal, and impact hazards
- Chemical Handling & Laboratories β Chemical splashes and fumes
- Healthcare & Medical β Bloodborne pathogens and contaminants
- Automotive & Aerospace β High-speed impacts and UV exposure
3. Key Requirements of ANSI Z87.1
The ANSI Z87.1 standard classifies protective eyewear based on performance criteria, including:
β
Impact resistance (Basic & High-Impact levels)
β
Optical radiation filtering (UV, IR, and visible light control)
β
Protection against chemical splashes & dust
β
Durability and longevity testing
β
Marking and labeling for easy identification
ANSI Z87.1 Protection Classifications
Marking Code | Meaning |
---|---|
Z87 | Basic impact protection |
Z87+ | High-impact protection |
D3 | Liquid splash protection |
D4 | Dust protection |
D5 | Fine dust protection |
U6 | Maximum UV protection |
R5 | Maximum infrared (IR) protection |
W5 | Welding shade 5 (up to W14) |
L3 | Visible light filtering (for glare reduction) |
- “Z87” vs. “Z87+” β Z87+ rated eyewear meets higher impact resistance requirements.
- “D3, D4, D5” β Indicate protection against liquids, dust, and fine particles.
- “U, R, W, L” β Indicate filtering for UV, IR, welding, and visible light.
4. Testing Methods in ANSI Z87.1
ANSI Z87.1 specifies strict test procedures to ensure that protective eyewear meets safety requirements. The key tests include:
- Impact Resistance Test (High Mass & High-Velocity Impact)
- Optical Radiation Protection Test (UV, IR, and Visible Light Filtering)
- Liquid Splash and Chemical Resistance Test
- Dust and Fine Particle Resistance Test
- Durability, Flame Resistance, and Corrosion Test
A. Impact Resistance Test (High Mass & High-Velocity Impact)
Purpose
- Ensures that the lens and frame can withstand high-speed and high-mass impacts without breaking.
Test Procedure
- High-Mass Impact Test:
- A 500g pointed steel projectile is dropped from 50 inches (127 cm) onto the lens.
- The lens must not crack, break, or dislodge from the frame.
- High-Velocity Impact Test:
- A ΒΌ-inch steel ball is fired at 150 feet per second (45.7 m/s).
- The lens must not shatter or allow penetration.
Pass/Fail Criteria
- Basic impact eyewear (Z87) must pass the high-mass impact test.
- High-impact eyewear (Z87+) must pass both high-mass and high-velocity tests.
B. Optical Radiation Protection Test (UV, IR, and Visible Light Filtering)
Purpose
- Ensures that lenses effectively block UV, IR, and intense visible light to prevent eye damage.
Test Procedure
- A spectrophotometer measures the amount of UV, IR, and visible light passing through the lens.
- The results are compared to ANSI Z87.1 filtering standards:
- U6 (blocks 99.9% UV)
- R5 (blocks significant IR)
- W5-W14 (welding shades for arc welding protection)
Pass/Fail Criteria
- UV-blocking lenses must meet U6 (99.9% UV filtration).
- Welding lenses must match W5-W14 shade levels.
C. Liquid Splash and Chemical Resistance Test
Purpose
- Ensures that safety goggles and face shields prevent liquid penetration.
Test Procedure
- A simulated liquid splash (water with dye) is applied to the eyewear.
- The inside of the eyewear is inspected for leaks.
Pass/Fail Criteria
- D3-rated eyewear must fully prevent liquid penetration.
D. Dust and Fine Particle Resistance Test
Purpose
- Ensures that eyewear can block airborne dust and fine particles.
Test Procedure
- The eyewear is placed in a chamber filled with fine dust.
- The inside is inspected for dust infiltration.
Pass/Fail Criteria
- D4-rated eyewear must block standard dust.
- D5-rated eyewear must block fine airborne particles.
E. Durability, Flame Resistance, and Corrosion Test
Purpose
- Ensures that protective eyewear remains functional under extreme conditions.
Test Procedure
- Flame Resistance Test β The eyewear is exposed to high temperatures.
- Corrosion Test β The eyewear is exposed to salt spray to check for material degradation.
Pass/Fail Criteria
- The material must not melt, ignite, or corrode under test conditions.
5. ANSI Z87.1 Marking & Certification
ANSI Z87.1-certified eyewear is marked with codes for impact rating, protection type, and manufacturer information.
Example Marking: “Z87+ U6 D3 W10”
- “Z87+” β High-impact rated
- “U6” β Maximum UV protection
- “D3” β Liquid splash protection
- “W10” β Welding shade 10
6. Comparison with Related Standards
Standard | Region | Focus |
---|---|---|
ANSI Z87.1 | USA | Impact, radiation, chemical & dust protection |
EN 166 | Europe | General eye protection (optical & mechanical) |
EN 175 | Europe | Welding face & eye protection |
CSA Z94.3 | Canada | Eye and face protection |
7. Conclusion
The ANSI Z87.1 standard ensures that industrial and occupational safety eyewear provides effective protection against impact, radiation, chemicals, and dust. Its rigorous testing and certification system guarantees high-quality protective eyewear for workers and students in hazardous environments.