The letters and numbers marked on protective eyewear are a declaration of safety compliance, not an arbitrary product code. The “Z87” marking confirms the device has been tested to meet specific performance criteria designed to protect the eyes from various hazards. Understanding this code ensures the eyewear provides the necessary level of protection for the environment where it will be used. This marking signifies the glasses have passed rigorous tests for impact resistance, coverage, and optical quality, establishing them as certified safety equipment.
The Role of the ANSI Z87 Standard
The Z87 designation refers to a standard established by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). ANSI is a private, non-profit organization that oversees the development of voluntary consensus standards in the United States. The ANSI Z87.1 standard is the specific governing document for all occupational and educational eye and face protection devices. This standard dictates the minimum requirements that spectacles, goggles, and face shields must meet to be considered safety equipment.
The primary function of the Z87 mark is to communicate that the eyewear’s design and materials have undergone testing for basic performance and structural integrity. The standard ensures products are tested for factors beyond simple breakage, including resistance to non-ionizing radiation, chemicals, and flammability. Compliance provides a uniform testing benchmark, confirming the product is a certified protective device.
Understanding Impact Ratings: Z87 Versus Z87 Plus
The most important distinction in safety eyewear is the level of impact resistance, indicated by the presence or absence of a plus sign after the Z87 marking. The basic Z87 rating signifies the lens has passed the low-velocity impact test. This test involves dropping a one-inch diameter steel ball from a height of 50 inches onto the lens to ensure it does not crack, chip, or break. The lenses are tested separately from the frame for this basic level of protection.
The Z87+ marking indicates a much more rigorous high-impact rating, meaning the entire eyewear unit—frame and lens together—has passed two additional, more severe tests. The high-velocity test involves shooting a quarter-inch diameter steel ball at the eyewear at approximately 150 feet per second. The glasses must resist this projectile without shattering or allowing the lens to become dislodged from the frame.
The second high-impact requirement is the high-mass test, which simulates a heavier, slower-moving object striking the eye protection. This involves dropping a pointed, 500-gram (1.1-pound) weight from 50 inches onto the protector mounted on a headform. To pass, the lens cannot fracture, and no pieces from the protector can break free from the inside. The enhanced protection offered by the Z87+ rating makes it the required standard for eye protection in most modern industrial, construction, and machining environments.
Specialized Codes for Hazard Protection
Beyond impact resistance, safety eyewear carries additional letter and number codes to specify protection against other hazards. These codes appear alongside the Z87 or Z87+ marking, allowing users to select equipment precisely matched to their work environment.
Common Hazard Codes
Codes beginning with the letter D address protection from droplets and dust. D3 signifies protection from liquid splash, while D4 and D5 denote protection from dust particles and fine dust, requiring a goggle-style frame that fully seals the eye area. Other codes relate to light and radiation filtration:
- W: Followed by a number indicating the specific shade level for welding filters.
- U: Followed by a scale number (e.g., U6) specifying the level of ultraviolet (UV) protection. A U6 rating blocks 99.9% of UV radiation.
- V: Indicates a variable tint, meaning the lenses are photochromic and darken automatically in bright light.
- H: Signifies that the frame is designed for smaller head sizes, ensuring a proper and secure fit.
A marking of Z87+ D3 communicates high-velocity impact resistance and certified protection against liquid splash hazards. These combined codes ensure users can quickly identify the full scope of protection offered by the device.
Ensuring Your Eyewear is Compliant
Verifying that safety eyewear is compliant and certified is a non-negotiable step to maintain eye safety. The ANSI Z87.1 standard mandates that compliance markings must be permanently and clearly marked on both the frame or body of the eyewear and the lens itself. If either the frame or the lens is missing the required marking, the entire assembly cannot be considered compliant for the intended purpose. The markings are typically etched into the lens or molded into the frame on the temple arm.
The use of non-compliant eyewear carries significant risk and often violates workplace safety regulations. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) specifically references the ANSI Z87.1 standard as the minimum requirement for eye protection in occupational settings. Using eyewear without the proper Z87 or Z87+ marking exposes the user to preventable and serious eye injuries. Always check the markings on both components to confirm you are using certified and tested personal protective equipment.