Safety Glasses

Index

 

ANSI Z87.1-2003 (Z87+)
Protect yourself. Choose safety glasses that complies with the ANSI standards.
ANSI Z87.1-2003, a replacement to Z87.1-1989 (R-1998), is truly performance driven. The most noticeable difference deals with eye protector impact levels. Two levels of impact resistance, “Basic” and “High” are now defined for safety glasses. Marking requirements have changed to reflect these levels of impact performance. Devices that meet the “High” impact criteria must be marked “Z87+”. Frames should meet the “High” impact level. If the eye protector only meets the “Basic” impact criteria, a warning label must be attached to the protector. Currently, ANSI Z87.1-1989 is incorporated by reference into the OSHA regulations, and, as such, carries the force of the law. If OSHA chooses to adopt ANSI Z87.1-2003, by reference, the change will be published in the Federal Register.

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Safety Glasses Lens Coatings

Anti-Fog Coatings for Safety Glasses provide excellent fog prevention in high humidity environments where sudden shifts in temperature occur.

Anti-Scratch Coating for Safety Glasses extend lens life in abrasive environments where scratches are possible.

Anti-Static Coating for Safety Glasses reduce dust and particulate attraction to all lenses.

Hard Coating for Safety Glasses are permanently bonded to lens to extend lens life.

  • Crews—Duramass® hard coating
  • uvex—ultradura® hardcoat

Anti-UV Coating for Safety Glasses absorb more than 99.9% of harmful ultraviolet radiation

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Safety Glasses Lens Color Guide

This handy guide will help you understand the functionality of task-specific lenses and determine what type of safety glasses are best for your application and environment. A good rule of thumb is to choose a lens based on color opposites. For example, blue is opposite of yellow and red is opposite of green. So, red lenses absorb green light and yellow lenses absorb blue/ultraviolet light and vice versa. Need more information? Call Technical Support at 1-800-356-2501.

Clear LensClear Safety Glasses
For general indoor applications where impact protection is required.

Gray LensGray Safety Glasses
For outdoor applications where light and glare can cause eye strain and fatigue. Provides good color recognition.

Indoor/Outdoor LensIndoor/Outdoor Safety Glasses
A clear lens with a slight mirror coating serves the same purpose as gray lens, yet allows more visible light through the lens for indoor/outdoor use. Reduces glare from artificial light.

Gold, Blue & Silver Mirror LensGold, Blue & Silver Mirror Safety Glasses
Use outdoor where sunlight and glare cause eye strain and fatigue. “Mirror” coating reflects light, reducing the amount of light that passes through the lens.

Dark Green LensDark Green Safety Glasses
General-purpose protection from glare and UV radiation.

Brown LensBrown/Espresso Safety Glasses
For outdoor applications where sunlight and glare cause eye strain and fatigue. Meets color traffic signal recognition requirements.

Vermilion LensVermilion Safety Glasses
Enhances contrast while reducing all color equally for optimum color recognition. Ideal for indoor inspection.

Amber LensAmber Safety Glasses
Blocks the blue portion of the visible light spectrum, creating maximum contrast enhancement, particularly in low light.

SCT LensSCT Safety Glasses
uvex’s Spectrum Control Technology lens. Designed to absorb select wavelengths of radiant energy (light) into the polycarbonate lens.

Filter ShadesFilter Shades Safety Glasses
Protect against ultraviolet and infrared radiation generated when working with molten metal, and in welding, cutting, soldering and brazing operations.

Shades 1.5–3Shades 1.5–3
Torch soldering.

Shades 3–4Shades 3–4
Torch brazing.

Shades 3–6Shades 3–6
Cutting.

Shades 4–8Shades 4–8
Gas welding.

Shades 10–14Shades 10–14
Electric arc welding.

 

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Hazard Assessment
  Protection Required
Hazard Type Common Related Tasks Safety Glasses Goggles Welding Laser Face Shield
Impact—Flying objects such as large chips, fragments, particles, sand and dirt. Chipping, grinding, machining,
masonry work, riveting and sanding.
x
x
    
x
Heat—Hot sparks, splash from molten metal and high-temperature exposure. Furnace operations, pouring, casting, hot dipping, gas cutting and welding.
x
x
    
x
Chemicals—Splash, fumes, vapors and irritating mists. Chemical handling, degreasing
and plating.		  
x
    
x
Dust—Nuisance. Woodworking, buffing and
general dusty conditions.		  
x
      

Optical Radiation—Radiant energy, glare and intense light.		 Welding, torch cutting, brazing
energy, glare and intense light. soldering and laser work.		    
x
x
x

Click here for pdf version of the hazard assessment chart.

Need help finding the correct laser eyewear for your work environment? Fill out this form and we will analyze your specific work settings to find the right eyewear for you.

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Do You Need Safety Reading Glasses?

Why Safety Reading Glasses?
According to the year 2000 U.S. Census, there are over 70 million Americans in the age bracket 40 to 65 years of age. Most of these individuals will require reading glasses and a large proportion of them will need reading glasses in combination with protective safety glasses. Lab Safety Supply can help you meet that need for your employees.

Save Your Company Money
Approximately 75 million pairs of plano (nonprescription) safety glasses are sold each year in the United States alone. About 10% of all safety glass users require bifocal safety glasses. Save your company and employees money by offering them safety reading glasses. A pair of prescription safety glasses typically cost about $150.00 per worker.

Calculate Your Savings
Lab Safety Supply offers safety reading glasses at an average of about $20.00 a pair, that’s a $130.00 savings per employee. If you have 500 workers, approximately 10% or about 50 employees could potentially require safety reading glasses. If you calculate your savings, that’s about $6500.00!


It’s Easy to Find Your Worksight Diopter Strength.

Click here for your diopter chart. Print the chart, then follow these instructions.

  1. Without using glasses, hold this chart 26" from your eyes (average arm’s length).
  2. Begin at the top and read the line across. Read the next and so on until you reach the line that is difficult to read.
  3. At the end of each line is the diopter strength
    you need.

 

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Safety Glasses & Eyewear Definitions

Face Shield—A supplementary protective device worn to shield the wearer’s face from certain hazards. Face shields are secondary protectors only and must be worn with safety glasses or goggles, as stated in ANSI Z87.1.


Goggle—A protective device that fits the face, surrounding the eyes in order to shield them from impact, splash and vapor hazards. Available non-vented or with direct or indirect vents.
Impact Resistance—The ability of safety eyewear to withstand impact when tested according to ANSI requirements.


Infrared Radiation—Electromagnetic energy with wavelengths from 780 to 2000 nanometers (nm).


LASER—An acronym for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emissions of Radiation.


Lens Impact Resistance—A lens capable of withstanding the appropriate impact tests of ANSI Z87.1.


Luminous Transmittance—The fraction of light (380–780nm) passing through a medium.


Nanometer (nm)—One billionth of a meter, 10-9 meter.


Optical Radiation—The part of the electromagnetic spectrum with wavelengths between 200 and 2000nm.


Sideshield—A part of safety glasses, commonly attached to spectacles, that provides protection to the side of the eye.


Spectacle—A protective device to shield the wearer’s eyes from a variety of hazards, depending on the spectacle type.


Ultraviolet Radiation—Electromagnetic energy with wavelengths from 200–380nm, per ANSI Z87.1.


Welding Helmet—A protective device intended to shield the eyes and face from optical radiation and impact. Welding helmets are secondary protectors and shall be used only in conjunction with primary protectors.


Sources for More Information

29 CFR 1910.132, General Requirements.

29 CFR 1910.133, Eye and Face Protection.

American National Standard Institute (ANSI)
11 W. 42nd St.
New York, NY 10036
(212)642-4900


Prevent Blindness America
Schaumburg, IL
1-800-331-2020


EZ Facts® Online Safety Info
No. 125 Choosing Protective Eyewear
No. 127 Laser Safety Basics
No. 251 ANSI Z87.1 Eye and Face Protection Standard Changes

 

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