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

What Does Z87+ Mean? ANSI High Impact Rating Explained (2026)

The "+" in Z87+ is the most important character on a pair of safety glasses. It's the difference between a lens rated for a 1-inch ball dropped from 50 inches and a lens rated for a steel projectile at 350 feet per second. In OSHA-covered environments where eye hazards include flying particles, debris, or fragments, the + is not optional — it's the baseline safety specification. This guide explains exactly what tests the + requires, when it's mandatory, and how to read the marking on the lens.

One-Line Answer: Z87+ means the lens passed ANSI Z87.1-2020 high-impact testing — a 0.25-inch steel ball at 350 fps AND a high-mass projectile at 150 fps. It is significantly more protective than basic Z87.1 and is the correct specification for industrial workplaces.

Part 1: The Two Z87.1 Impact Levels

ANSI Z87.1-2020 defines two levels of impact protection for safety glasses (spectacles):

  • Z87.1 Basic Impact — lens must survive a 1-inch steel ball dropped from 50 inches. Lens marked Z87 (no +). Minimum protection; not appropriate for environments with airborne particle hazards.
  • Z87.1 High Impact (Z87+) — lens must survive THREE tests: the basic drop ball, a high-mass projectile at 150 fps, AND a high-velocity ball at 350 fps. Frame must also pass the high-mass test. Marked Z87+ on both lens and frame.

Part 2: The Three Tests Behind Z87+

Test Projectile Speed Pass Criterion
Drop ball (basic) 1-inch steel ball ~17 fps (gravity) No fracture, crack, or chip
High-mass projectile 0.25-inch steel ball 150 fps No fracture; frame retains lens
High-velocity projectile 0.25-inch steel ball 350 fps No fracture, crack, or chip

The 350 fps test is the critical differentiator. 350 feet per second is approximately 240 mph — well above the speeds of most industrial chip, fragment, and debris hazards. Polycarbonate lenses in Z87+ frames are engineered to absorb and distribute this impact energy without transmitting fracture energy to the eye.

Part 3: Where to Find the Z87+ Marking

Both the lens and the frame must be marked independently. Check both locations before confirming compliance:

On the Lens

Look for the etched or molded marking directly on the lens surface. The marking format is: [Manufacturer Code] Z87+ (plus any additional codes for tint, UV, etc.). The "+" must be present — "Z87" without "+" indicates basic impact only.

On the Frame/Temple

The frame is also marked, typically on the temple arm. Look for Z87+ molded into the plastic or stamped on metal components. If only the lens is marked Z87+ but the frame is marked Z87 (no +), the system does not fully meet high-impact requirements — the frame has not passed the high-mass retention test.

Common Marking Examples

✓ UVEX Z87+ U6 — Uvex lens, high impact, UV scale 6
✓ 3M Z87+ — 3M lens, high impact
✗ Z87 (no +) — basic impact only; not Z87+
✗ No marking on lens — not Z87.1 rated

Part 4: When Is Z87+ Required?

OSHA 29 CFR 1910.133 requires that eye protection be appropriate for the specific hazard identified in the employer's hazard assessment. Z87.1+ (high impact) is the correct specification whenever flying particles, fragments, or debris are present — which includes:

  • Machining operations (turning, milling, drilling)
  • Grinding, cutting, or chipping
  • Woodworking with power tools
  • Nailing or fastener driving
  • Demolition and construction
  • Concrete work
  • Shooting ranges (all types)
  • Chemical handling (when Z87+ goggles with D3 are also required)
  • Any task where projectiles or debris could reach the face

Z87.1 basic (without +) is generally insufficient for any of the above. The hazard assessment may identify specific environments where basic impact is adequate — clerical areas, controlled labs with no projectile hazards — but these are exceptions. When in doubt, specify Z87.1+.

Part 5: Z87+ vs. Ballistic Ratings

Z87+ is the top civilian impact standard for safety glasses. Military and law enforcement ballistic protection standards (MIL-PRF-31013 for spectacles) have additional test criteria including higher-velocity projectiles and fragmentation simulation. Z87.1+ is NOT equivalent to ballistic rating. Ballistic-rated eyewear also meets Z87.1+ but exceeds it — a Z87.1+ lens is not necessarily ballistic-rated.

For occupational shooting range use (range officers, firearms instructors, OSHA-covered firearms testing), Z87.1+ is the applicable standard. For military and law enforcement combat applications, MIL-PRF-31013 certification is additionally required. See Can Safety Glasses Be Used for Shooting? for the full breakdown.

Frequently Asked Questions — Z87+

What does the "+" symbol mean in Z87+?

The "+" designates that the lens and frame have passed ANSI Z87.1-2020 high-impact testing requirements — specifically the high-mass projectile test (150 fps) and the high-velocity test (350 fps) in addition to the basic drop-ball test. Without the +, the glasses have only passed the basic drop-ball test.

Is Z87 (without +) acceptable for OSHA compliance?

OSHA 1910.133 requires eye protection appropriate to the hazard — it doesn't specify Z87 vs Z87+. However, for environments with impact hazards (flying particles, chips, fragments), Z87 basic is generally not appropriate — the hazard assessment would identify these as high-impact hazard environments requiring Z87+. Z87 basic may be acceptable only in very low-hazard environments where no projectile risk exists.

Do both the lens AND frame need to be marked Z87+?

Yes. The ANSI Z87.1 standard requires both components to be independently marked. A Z87+ lens in a basic-Z87 frame does not constitute a fully high-impact compliant system — the frame's lens retention under high-mass impact has not been verified. Both the lens marking and the frame marking must show Z87+.

Can I replace a Z87+ lens into a different frame?

No — the Z87+ rating applies to the tested lens-and-frame system. Replacing a Z87+ lens into a non-rated frame, or a non-rated lens into a Z87+ frame, voids the rating. The impact performance of the system depends on the fit and retention properties of both components together. Use only manufacturer-matched lens and frame combinations.

Is Z87+ better than Z87.1-2003 or Z87.1-2010?

The 2020 version's high-impact (Z87+) criteria are more demanding than the 2003 version's requirements. Products marked Z87.1-2003 were rated under an older test protocol. For current purchases, specify Z87.1-2020 compliant products to ensure the highest available tested protection level. The 2010 revision introduced the Z87+ designation; products older than 2010 that are marked "Z87" without "+" may have been tested under different criteria.

If Z87+ is so much better, why does basic Z87.1 still exist?

Basic impact remains in the standard for environments where projectile hazards are genuinely absent — chemical labs where the only eye hazard is splash (D3 goggles are the primary spec), clinical environments, controlled research settings. In those contexts, the additional impact performance of Z87+ doesn't address the actual hazard. The standard provides tiered protection levels to match the tiered hazard environment — basic impact is appropriate when the hazard assessment confirms it.

Are anti-fog and anti-scratch coatings part of the Z87+ standard?

No. Anti-fog (AF) and anti-scratch (AS) coatings are features added by manufacturers but are not impact rating criteria in ANSI Z87.1. The Z87+ rating only confirms impact performance. AF and AS coatings affect lens durability and usability but don't affect — and aren't measured by — the Z87.1 impact tests. Check manufacturer specs for AF/AS separately from the Z87+ impact compliance.

Does scratching a Z87+ lens void the rating?

Significant scratching can compromise lens integrity, particularly at deep scratches that create stress concentration points. A moderately scratched lens remains in service in most programs with monitoring; a heavily scratched lens should be replaced regardless of its rated status. ANSI Z87.1 doesn't establish a specific scratch threshold for replacement — the practical guidance is to replace lenses when visual clarity is impaired or when scratches are deep enough to be felt with a fingernail. See How Long Do Safety Glasses Last?

Where can I find a list of Z87.1-certified products?

Unlike NIOSH's respirator approval list, there is no centralized ANSI database of Z87.1-certified products. Z87.1 is a self-certification standard — manufacturers test their products against the standard and apply the markings. Verification relies on the marking on the lens and frame rather than a lookup registry. ISEA, the standard's administrator, does not maintain a product certification database. For purchase verification, rely on lens/frame markings and reputable industrial PPE distributors.

What's the cost difference between Z87 and Z87+ safety glasses?

Minimal to none. Z87.1+ high-impact is the standard specification for industrial safety glasses — manufacturers produce primarily Z87+ products for the industrial market. The price difference between basic-Z87 and Z87+ is negligible at the mass-production scale. Most safety glasses in the $3-$30 range are Z87+. There's no reason to purchase basic-Z87 over Z87+ on cost grounds for industrial use.

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

ANSI/ISEA Z87.1-2020, OSHA 29 CFR 1910.133. Verify current standard versions for compliance programs.

Editorial Standards

Content is independent of manufacturer relationships.

Affiliate Disclosure

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

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