A Complete Guide to Understanding ANSI and OSHA Eye Protection Standards

Drilling into the masonry, sanding the old paint, cutting timber, grinding metal, mixing cement, using strong cleaners and performing demolition tasks can generate dust, fragments or splashes that may potentially hit your eyes.

Although this risk might seem underestimated since some of these jobs only last a few minutes, the injuries can occur in the blink of an eye.

People wearing prescription glasses have to take into account another difficulty. Even though regular glasses can help you see properly, they are not necessarily designed to withstand debris and splashes. To make the right choice of eye protection you should consider both vision correction and the job itself.

This guide explains the meaning of common Z87 and Z87+ labels, the cases when regular prescription glasses cannot help and the ways to select suitable eyewear for renovation work.

Why Renovation Work Creates Eye Hazards

Eye hazards are not specific for huge construction sites. The same kinds of threats may arise in garages, workshops, gardens or home improvement projects.

Some of them include:

• Dust and wood chips created when sanding, drilling or cutting
• Fragments generated by masonry, tiles, metal or fragile plastics
• Debris produced while performing demolition or overhead work
• Paints, cleaning chemicals, sealants and other liquid splashes
• Sparks from grinding or cutting metal
• Bright light and glare generated by specialist operations like welding

It’s important to choose adequate eye protection for each kind of hazard separately. Safety glasses that are suitable for sanding wooden items will hardly protect you from chemical splashes. In the same way, eyewear meant for simple DIY jobs may not be the best choice for such risky procedures as angle-grinding, demolition or metal cutting.

Think about what can hit your eyes before you start the operation, not about choosing the closest glasses once dust is in the air.

OSHA and ANSI: What Is The Difference?

These two agencies are usually referred to simultaneously when discussing workplace safety in the US, however, their roles differ.

OSHA is the agency regulating workplace safety. According to its regulations, employers should ensure that workers use proper eye and face protection devices if they are exposed to such dangers as flying particles, liquid chemicals, light radiation or air debris. Learn about OSHA’s eye and face protection requirements here.

ANSI/ISEA Z87.1 is the standard that establishes technical requirements for protective eyewear and face protection products. It covers the performance standards, testing criteria and permanent markings to help consumers estimate the degree and kind of protection offered by certain item.

Despite the fact that the OSHA requirements do not apply to residential renovation work in the same way as it does in employer-run facilities, the mentioned standards remain helpful as they provide practical guidelines that allow you to assess the level of protection offered by eyewear.

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What Z87 and Z87+ Markings Mean

Permanent markings on safety eyewear are provided to help consumers understand the nature of protection offered by certain eyewear.

Z87 label usually indicates that eyewear meets the basic impact protection criteria established by the ANSI Z87.1 standard. Depending on eyewear design and the procedure that needs to be performed, Z87 may be adequate for low-level impact hazards.

Z87+ marking indicates high-impact protection. This type of eyewear is usually recommended in case of exposure to fast-moving debris, which can be generated by drilling, cutting, grinding or demolition operations.

While the presence of a plus is a very important factor, it is not enough. High impact rating does not guarantee the adequacy of safety glasses for every case. You may need other types of protection for liquid splashes, dust, welding light or other special hazards.

When buying eyewear, pay attention to the permanent marking on the frame and the specifications provided in the product description. Do not rely only on the appearance of glasses since the sturdiness of the frame is not equivalent to protective eyewear.

Match Your Eyewear To The Task

There is no one-size-fits-all glasses for every renovation work. The best way to protect yourself is to find the eyewear that fits the operation that you are going to perform.

• Sanding, Drilling and Cutting Tmber

  Sanding doors, drilling into the wall, cutting boards and trimming timber are the procedures that can generate airborne dust, splinters and chips. Safety glasses equipped with proper impact protection and side coverage can help you decrease the risk of debris hitting your eyes.

  Transparent lenses are practical for indoor operations, while anti-fog feature can be useful if you perform work in a dusty warm room or if you wear other protective equipment.

• Grinding, Cutting Metal and Demolition

  Grinding, cutting metal, chiseling masonry and demolition generate fast-moving and unpredictable fragments, that is why the glasses with high-impact rating are usually better for these operations.

  Depending on the operation performed, you may need additional face protection, dust control and other types of PPE equipment. Eye protection is just one aspect of your safety strategy, not the only measure of precaution you should use.

• Mixing Chemicals, Cleaning and Spraying

  Paint strippers, cement mixes, cleaners, adhesives and sealants can create splash risks. Safety glasses are not necessarily designed to provide the close-fitting coverage needed for splash protection, that is why goggles or other kinds of protective eyewear may be more suitable.

  Always read the safety information provided in the product label before working with any chemical. Appropriate eye protection for cleaning spray is not necessarily equal to the protection for drilling through plasterboard.

• Welding And Specialist Light Hazards

  Regular safety glasses cannot be used instead of specialized welding protective gear. For welding, cutting and other procedures requiring protection from radiant energy, specialists lenses or helmets should be used.

  Do not improvise with tinted sunglasses or ordinary dark glasses. Use the equipment specially selected for your process.

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When Regular Prescription Glasses Are Not Enough

Regular prescription glasses are made to correct vision. They are not necessarily designed or labeled to provide protection against flying dust, wood chips, fragments created by power tools and other hazards common for renovation work.

It does not mean that you have to choose between good vision and protection. Here are two alternatives for people with prescription lenses:

• Prescription safety glasses, which consist of corrective lenses with a special prescription and fitted into a safety frame.
• Over-prescription protective eyewear designed to fit over regular glasses without disturbing the position of both prescription and protective lenses.

For regular renovation work, built-in prescription protection is usually more convenient than layering goggles over ordinary glasses. A variety of prescription safety glasses allows you to keep your vision clear while choosing the right eyewear for specific hazard.

When choosing prescription safety glasses, pay attention to the product marking and specifications. Prescription safety frames are usually marked differently from non-prescription glasses, therefore, read the listing carefully and ensure that the glasses you purchase are meant for protection.

Fit and Comfort Are Safety Factors As Well

Safety glasses cannot function properly if they keep sliding. Eyewear that slides down your nose, pinches behind your ears, constantly fogs or interferes with the position of your prescription lenses may be removed in the middle of work.

This is why it is important to pay attention to comfort when selecting the glasses. Here are the main features of comfortable glasses:

• Secure fit without excessive pressure
• Proper coverage of the eyes
• Compatibility with other PPE including dust mask and hearing protection
• Absence of unnecessary obstacles for your peripheral vision
• Ability to work comfortably when looking down or up

For prescription wearers, you should also think about the type of work that you perform. People who have to read plans, measure materials and switch between various kinds of tasks may need a different prescription solution than those who perform general repair work.

Maintain Your Protective Eyewear in Good Condition

Before you start the work, safety glasses should be inspected, especially if they have been stored in a toolbox, workshop or a car.

Discard glasses that are highly scratched, cracked, warped or loose around the lenses and frame. Such conditions may negatively affect your visibility and the way the eyewear fits to your face.

To preserve glasses in good condition follow the manufacturer’s recommendations:

• Clean the lenses according to the instructions
• Use a clean and suitable cloth instead of wiping dusty lenses with your clothes
• Keep the glasses in a case or clean pouch if you don’t use them now
• Keep away from solvents, high temperatures and sharp objects
• Check whether the glasses and lenses are firmly connected

Although safety glasses should not look brand new to be useful, they should provide good vision and secure fit.

Short Checklist Before You Start Working

Take a minute and ask yourself the following questions before you begin a renovation task:

• What can potentially fly, splash or fall to my face?
• Do I drill, cut, sand, grind or use any chemicals?
• Do I need basic impact protection, high-impact protection or splash protection?
• Is my eyewear adequately fitted with prescription lenses and other PPE?
• Is the eyewear in good condition and properly marked for protection?

It can help you avoid a typical mistake of postponing eye protection until you finish working.

Conclusion

Good renovation work requires having clear vision, confidence and protection from possible hazards created by tools and materials.

For prescription glasses wearers, regular glasses cannot be assumed as sufficient protection from potential hazards. Prescription safety glasses and properly fitted over-prescription safety glasses can provide you with much better and safe alternative.

Choose appropriate eyewear depending on the kind of hazard, check the markings, fit and maintain the eyewear in good condition. Spending several minutes choosing adequate eye protection is much easier than dealing with injury that could be easily prevented.

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Image credit: eye protection by envato.com

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