ANSI Z87.1-2003 Information

ANSI Z87.1-2003 was published in August 2003 and establishes performance criteria and testing requirements for devices used to protect the eyes and face from injuries from impact, non-ionizing radiation and chemical exposure in workplaces and schools. The ANSI Z87.1-2003 standard covers all types of protective devices, including:

• safety glasses (spectacles)
• goggles
• faceshields
• welding helmets and handshields
• full facepiece respirators

All of the safety glasses we sell meet or exceed ANSI Z87.1-2003 requirements.

The Z87.1-2003 standard includes detailed descriptions and general requirements and criteria for the testing, marking, selection, use and care. However, ANSI Z87.1-2003 does not apply to hazardous exposure to blood borne pathogens, X-rays, high-energy particulate radiation, microwaves, high-frequency radiation, lasers, masers, or sports activates.

Z87.1-2003 is the latest in a series of eye and face protection standards dating back to the earliest US standards for safety equipment over 80 years ago. Introduced in this lastest edition is a new designations for "Basic Impact" and "High Impact" protectors. These two new levels of protection have distinct testing and marking requirements. Basic impact lenses are tested using a "drop-ball" test, while high impact lenses, and all frames, have to meet the more stringent high mass and high velocity impact tests.

ANSI Z87.1-2003 includes a section on the selection, use and maintenance of eye and face protectors, and provides guidance on hazard assessment and selection. A pull-out selection chart is included, showing recommended protector categories for various types of work activities that can product impact, heat, chemical, dust or optical radiation hazards.

ANSI Z87.1-2003 also includes an eye injury report form, which users are encouraged to complete and return to the Z87 Committee when there is a related injury occurs. The purpose of this report form is to help the committee build an injury database and identify potential areas of improvement for subsequent revisions of the standard.

ANSI Z87.1-2003 is the product of Accredited Standards Committee Z87, recognized by the American National Standards Institute. Copies of the standard are available from the ISEA by visiting there website at http://www.safetyequipment.org