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Industrial Safety Equipment & PPE — ANSI/OSHA Compliant
Industrial Safety Equipment & PPE — ANSI/OSHA Compliant
June 10, 2026 My Store Admin

ANSI Z87.1 Explained: Complete Guide to Safety Glasses Standards (2026)

ANSI Z87.1 is the American National Standard for Occupational and Educational Personal Eye and Face Protection Devices — the specification that defines what qualifies as a safety glasses, what tests those glasses must pass, and how the resulting ratings are marked on the lens and frame. If you buy eye protection for a workplace, you are required to buy Z87.1-rated equipment under OSHA 1910.133 and 1926.102. This guide decodes the full standard: what it covers, what the markings mean, and how to verify compliance.

Key Takeaway: Z87.1 on the lens = basic impact. Z87.1+ on the lens = high impact (required for most industrial applications). Both must also appear on the frame. If either marking is missing, the glasses do not meet the standard.

Part 1: What Is ANSI Z87.1?

ANSI Z87.1 is published by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and administered by the International Safety Equipment Association (ISEA). The current version is ANSI/ISEA Z87.1-2020. Prior versions from 2003 and 2010 are still in circulation on older frames — Z87.1-2020 is not backward-compatible with all prior test criteria, so verify the version year when evaluating older stock.

The standard covers: safety glasses (spectacles), goggles, face shields, welding helmets, and laser protective devices. For each device type, it defines construction requirements, performance tests, and lens marking codes. This guide focuses on the safety glasses/spectacles section.

Z87.1 is a voluntary consensus standard, but OSHA has incorporated it by reference into both 29 CFR 1910.133 (general industry) and 29 CFR 1926.102 (construction), making compliance with Z87.1 a regulatory requirement when OSHA mandates eye protection. Employers cannot substitute non-rated eye protection for Z87.1-rated equipment in OSHA-covered workplaces where eye hazards exist.

Part 2: The Two Impact Levels

Z87.1 Basic Impact

Basic impact lenses are tested by dropping a 1-inch steel ball from 50 inches. The lens must not fracture, crack, or chip upon impact. Basic impact is the minimum for general-purpose eye protection in low-hazard environments. Lenses meeting only basic impact are marked Z87.1 without a plus symbol.

Z87.1+ High Impact

High impact lenses must survive a 0.25-inch steel projectile fired at 150 fps (the high-mass test) AND a 0.25-inch steel ball fired at 350 fps (the high-velocity test). Frames must survive a 0.25-inch steel projectile at 150 fps without releasing the lens. High impact is the correct specification for most industrial applications. Lenses and frames meeting high-impact requirements are marked Z87+.

Test Basic Impact (Z87.1) High Impact (Z87.1+)
Drop ball test Required Required
High-mass projectile (150 fps) Not required Required
High-velocity projectile (350 fps) Not required Required
Frame retention test Optional Required
Correct for most industrial use No — minimum only Yes

Part 3: How to Read the Z87.1 Lens Marking

Every Z87.1-rated lens must be marked with specific codes directly on the lens (not just the frame or packaging). The marking is typically molded or etched into the lens. Here is how to decode the full marking system:

Lens Marking Code What It Means
Z87 Meets ANSI Z87.1 basic impact
Z87+ Meets ANSI Z87.1 high impact (the standard for industrial use)
D3 Chemical splash protection (goggles)
D4 Dust protection
D5 Fine dust protection
W + shade number (e.g. W5) Welding filter lens — shade number indicates darkness level
U + scale number (e.g. U6) UV radiation protection at specified scale level
R + scale number Infrared radiation protection
L + scale number Visible light filter (luminous transmittance shade)
V Photochromic (variable tint) lens
S Special purpose lens (manufacturer defined)
P Prescription lens
H Small frame fitting (for smaller head sizes)

Worked Example: Reading a Lens Marking

Manufacturer Code | Z87+ | D3 | U6
  • Manufacturer Code — maker identifier (e.g., "Uvex", "3M", "Pyramex" or abbreviated code)
  • Z87+ — high-impact rated lens; passes all three impact tests
  • D3 — rated for chemical splash protection
  • U6 — UV protection at scale level 6

Part 4: Frame Marking Codes

Frames must be separately marked with codes that match the protection level of the lens. Both lens and frame must carry the appropriate marking for the glasses to qualify as Z87.1 compliant at that rating level.

Frame Marking What It Means
Z87 Frame meets basic impact frame requirements
Z87+ Frame meets high-impact frame requirements (must match lens rating)
H Smaller frame size
OTG Designed to fit over prescription glasses

Part 5: What Z87.1 Does NOT Cover

Z87.1 is an impact protection standard. It does not certify for:

  • Ballistic protection — military and law enforcement ballistic ratings are governed by MIL-PRF-31013 (for spectacles) and MIL-DTL-43511D (for goggles). Z87.1+ is not a ballistic standard.
  • Arc flash protection — arc-rated face shields and arc flash PPE are governed by NFPA 70E and ASTM F2178. Safety glasses are not the primary protection against arc flash; they are secondary protection worn under face shields.
  • Laser protection — laser eyewear is a separate ANSI standard (ANSI Z136.1). Z87.1 safety glasses should not be used as primary laser protection.
  • High-power radiation protection — infrared and UV radiation protection ratings (U, R markings) indicate filter levels, not full radiation protection for all exposure scenarios.
  • Chemical splash protection — the D3 marking indicates a sealed goggle designed for splash protection. Open-frame safety glasses (spectacles) without the D3 marking do not provide splash protection regardless of Z87.1 rating.

Frequently Asked Questions — ANSI Z87.1

What is the difference between ANSI Z87.1 and ANSI Z87.1+?

Z87.1 denotes basic impact rating (drop ball test only). Z87.1+ (shown on the lens as "Z87+") denotes high impact rating, which additionally requires passing the high-mass projectile test (150 fps) and high-velocity projectile test (350 fps). For industrial use, Z87.1+ is the required level. See the Z87+ explained guide for full detail.

Is ANSI Z87.1 required by OSHA?

Yes, via incorporation by reference. OSHA 29 CFR 1910.133 (general industry) requires eye protection for employees exposed to eye hazards and specifies that equipment must comply with ANSI Z87.1. OSHA 29 CFR 1926.102 establishes the same requirement for construction. See Are Safety Glasses OSHA Required? for the full compliance analysis.

How do I verify my safety glasses are Z87.1 compliant?

Look directly at the lens (not the frame, not the packaging). The marking must be on the lens itself. For high-impact glasses, both the lens and the frame must be marked Z87+ (not just Z87). If the marking is absent from either component, the glasses are not compliant at that rating. Packaging claims alone are insufficient — the marking must be on the product.

Do all safety glasses need to be Z87.1+ or is Z87.1 basic acceptable?

Z87.1 basic (without +) is the minimum — but minimum is rarely the correct specification. For any environment with projectile hazards, flying debris, grinding operations, or machining, Z87.1+ high impact is the appropriate specification. OSHA does not prescribe which impact level to use — the employer's hazard assessment determines the required level. When in doubt, specify Z87.1+.

Can I use Z87.1+ safety glasses for shooting?

Z87.1+ is sufficient for most recreational and occupational shooting range use. For military or law enforcement applications requiring ballistic-rated eye protection, MIL-PRF-31013 is the applicable standard — which is stricter than Z87.1+. See Can Safety Glasses Be Used for Shooting? for the complete analysis.

Can Z87.1 safety glasses be used for welding?

For arc welding: no — welding requires filter lenses with appropriate shade numbers (typically shade 10+ for arc processes) that block UV and infrared radiation, which standard Z87.1 clear or tinted lenses do not do. For gas welding, cutting, or brazing, shade 5 or higher filter lenses are required. For grinding and cutting operations (sparks, not UV): Z87.1+ is the appropriate standard. See Can Safety Glasses Be Used for Welding?

What year of Z87.1 standard should I specify?

The current version is ANSI/ISEA Z87.1-2020. Older products may be marked as Z87.1-2003 or Z87.1-2010. OSHA enforcement references ANSI Z87.1 generally — compliance with the current version is the best practice. When purchasing for safety programs, specify Z87.1-2020 and look for products made and labeled under the 2020 version to ensure you have the most current tested equipment.

Are safety glasses with "ANSI Approved" on the package actually certified?

Not necessarily. "ANSI Approved" as a package claim alone, without Z87.1 marked on the lens and frame, is a marketing claim with no regulatory meaning. ANSI does not approve or certify individual products — manufacturers self-certify that their products meet the standard. The only way to verify compliance is to look for the Z87+ (or Z87) marking on the lens and Z87+ on the frame. Never rely solely on packaging claims for safety equipment compliance.

Do polycarbonate lenses automatically meet Z87.1?

No. Polycarbonate is the typical lens material for safety glasses and it provides inherently high impact resistance — but polycarbonate lenses must still be tested and marked to the Z87.1 standard. A lens made from polycarbonate without the Z87.1 marking has not been verified to meet the standard's specific impact criteria. The marking confirms both the material performance and the specific test compliance, including retention testing.

Do prescription safety glasses need to be Z87.1 rated?

Yes. Prescription safety glasses used in OSHA-covered workplaces must meet Z87.1 requirements for the applicable hazard. Standard prescription lenses and commercial eyeglass frames are not Z87.1 rated and cannot substitute for safety glasses in environments where OSHA requires eye protection. Z87.1 prescription safety glasses are marked "Z87-2" (prescription) and must be sourced from a qualified optical laboratory certified to the standard.

What does the "D3" marking on goggles mean?

D3 indicates the device has been tested for chemical splash protection — meaning it provides a sealed barrier against liquid splashes. D3-marked goggles are appropriate for chemical handling tasks. Standard Z87.1+ safety glasses (spectacle frames with open sides) do not carry D3 and do not provide splash protection — splashes can enter around the lens perimeter. For chemical splash hazards, specify D3 goggles, not open-frame spectacles regardless of their Z87.1 impact rating.

How often does ANSI Z87.1 get updated?

The standard is typically revised every 5-7 years by the ISEA Z87 committee. Current version: 2020. Prior versions: 2010, 2003, 1989. Each revision may include updated test protocols, new device categories, or revised marking requirements. Purchasing equipment rated to the current version ensures you have the highest available verified protection level.

Is a face shield a substitute for Z87.1 safety glasses?

No. Face shields are secondary protection — OSHA requires Z87.1 safety glasses to be worn underneath face shields in most applications. Face shields protect the face but don't provide sufficient peripheral protection or the same lens security as frame-retained glasses. When a face shield is required (grinding, chemical splash), the underlying safety glasses remain required. See Safety Glasses vs. Face Shields for full analysis.

Verified Z87.1+ Safety Glasses

About the Author

Steven Eaton, WC Safety Editorial. 10+ years in industrial PPE supply and compliance. ANSI Z87.1-2020 trained.

Standard Reference

This guide references ANSI/ISEA Z87.1-2020, OSHA 29 CFR 1910.133, and 29 CFR 1926.102. Standards are subject to update — verify current versions for compliance programs.

Editorial Standards

Content is independent of manufacturer relationships. Product picks based on verified ANSI compliance.

Affiliate Disclosure

WC Safety is an Amazon Associate. We earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.

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