About ANSI

Need to Know

AMERICAN NATIONAL STANDARD An American National Standard implies a consensus of those substantially concerned with its scope and provision. An American National Standard is intended as a guide to aid the manufacturer, the consumer and the general public. The existence of an American National Standard does not in any respect preclude anyone, whether he has approved the standard or not, from manufacturing, marketing, purchasing, or using products, processes, or procedures and users are cautioned to obtain the latest editions.
The American National Standards Institute does not develop standards and will in no circumstance give an interpretation of any American National Standard. Moreover, no person shall have the right or authority to issue an interpretation of an American National Standard in the name of the American National Standards Institute.

ANSI Z87.1-2003 PUBLISHER
American Society of Safety Engineers
1800 East Oakton Street
Des Plaines, Illinois 60018-2187

TO PURCHASE THIS STANDARD CONTACT:

AMERICAN SOCIETY OF SAFETY ENGINEERS
1800 EAST OAKTON STREET
DES PLAINS, ILLINOIS 60018-2187
847-699-2929

REVISIONS TO ANSI Z87 MAJOR CHANGES HAVE BEEN IMPOSED FOR SIDESHIELDS, LENSES AND FRAMES

 

SIDESHIELD REQUIREMENTS

  • Sideshields must be tested for high velocity compliance whether on basic or high impact frame test platforms.
  • Sideshields must be impacted at three specified points at 150 fps. The three point impact requirement renders some sideshields non compliant.
  • Sideshields that are attached to “basic” frames will not upgrade that frame to “high impact” status. They do however provide more lateral high impact protection.
  • Sideshields must be marked with the manufacturers and Z87 logo to show compliance. The B-26+™, B-52+™ and B-22™ bear these marking indicating high impact compliance. OSHA agrees that side protection need not be perminant and that detachable sideshields should be permitted.
    SAFETY LENSES ARE NOW DIVIDED INTO TWO IMPACT CATAGORIES, HIGH AND LOW IMPACT.
    LENS REQUIREMENTS HIGH IMPACT prescription lenses shall not be less than 2mm thick at the thinnest point. Historically the standard has required that the minimum thickness for corrective protective spectacles should be at least 3mm center and 2mm edge thickness.
    The only high impact lens material currently available that is capable of withstanding the High Velocity Impact test would have been molded from one of the polycarbonate resins and may be 2mm thick. LOW OR BASIC IMPACT prescription lenses shall not be less than 3mm thick.
  • Glass lenses would be considered low or basic impact resistant.
  • CR39 (hard resin) lenses would be considered low or basic impact resistant. DRESS OR STREET WEAR FRAMES with any lens material or thickness do not meet the current or previous ANSI Z87 standards and shall not to be used in the work place without approved protection worn over them.
    FRAME REQUIREMENTS Z87-2003 stipulates that a high impact 2mm plano lens shall be used for high velocity impact testing of the frame integrity to demonstrate high impact lens retention capability.
  • High impact frames are market “Z87-2”.
  • Basic frames do not require high impact testing which mandates that a 2mm lens of any composition shall not be utilized in a frame marked with only “Z87”,
    REQUIRED FRAME AND LENS MARKING
  •   Manufactures mark on front, temples and lenses.
  • “Z87” would indicate compliance with low impact testing requirements on both frames on lenses.
  • “Z87 + ” would indicate compliance with high velocity impact testing requirements on lenses.
  • “Z87-2” on fronts and temples would indicate compliance of the frame to high impact testing requirements.
    COMPLIANCE ISSUES FOR THE HEALTH AND SAFETY PROFESSIONAL Identification of a compliant device (frames and lenses) will become even more difficult.
  •   Current safety frame styles, colors and variations already number well into the hundreds making conformation of compliance extremely difficult without inspecting each component of the corrective-protective device for proper markings.
  •   When ordering new prescription lenses only, careful attention should be given to providing proper written instructions to the lens processor as to the thickness required and the compliance level (basic or high) desired. (3mm) or (2mm)
  •   Upon receipt of the completed lenses, look for a warning notice if a non-high impact lens made from glass or hard resin has been provided. The lens processor is now required to provide this warning notice with all basic lenses. Patent No.5,748,278,6,393,609 B1 and others