SAS Safety VX9 Safety Glasses

Yes, when used in applications matching the Z87.1 certification. OSHA 29 CFR 1910.133 (general industry) and 1926.102 (construction) require eye protection devices to meet ANSI Z87.1. The VX9 is certified to ANSI Z87.1-2015, satisfying this requirement for flying particle hazards, dust, and light chemical splash. The appropriate lens tint must be selected for the specific application — OSHA does not specify tint but requires that the selected eyewear be appropriate for the hazard. For operations involving laser hazards, welding arcs, or intense light sources, application-specific ANSI Z87.1 shade ratings apply. Browse our safety glasses collection for application-specific options.

ANSI Z87.1-2015 is the American National Standards Institute standard for occupational and educational personal eye and face protection devices. It specifies requirements for impact resistance, optical quality, coverage area, lens marking, and other performance characteristics. The Z87.1 marking on the lens means it has passed basic impact (drop ball) testing; the Z87+ marking (with a plus sign) indicates high-velocity impact certification. The year suffix (2015) indicates the revision level — the 2015 version is the current standard referenced by OSHA. Verify the markings on the lens itself, not just the packaging, as the lens marking is the certifying evidence under OSHA inspection.

The Clear lens (5510-01) is the standard choice for indoor environments. It provides full ambient light transmission (~90%) with ANSI Z87.1 impact protection and 99.9% UV blocking — UV protection matters even indoors near windows or UV-emitting equipment. The Yellow lens (5510-03) is an option for indoor environments with fluorescent lighting or low-contrast conditions, as it enhances contrast and reduces eye strain. Gray and Mirror lenses are not recommended for indoor use — they reduce light transmission significantly and impair visibility in typical indoor lighting levels.

The VX9 is not specifically listed as an over-the-glass (OTG) frame. OTG safety glasses have a wider, deeper frame profile designed to fit over standard prescription eyewear. Workers who require vision correction and must wear safety glasses should either: (1) use prescription safety glasses meeting ANSI Z87.1 made directly to their prescription, or (2) use an over-the-glass safety glasses frame designed for that purpose. Wearing standard safety glasses over prescription glasses can cause pressure, instability, and reduced protection. Consult your safety manager or optometrist for the appropriate combination for your prescription.

Use lukewarm water and a small amount of mild dish soap — rinse thoroughly and pat dry with a clean, soft lint-free cloth (microfiber is ideal). Avoid paper towels, shop rags, and dry wiping, which abrade the anti-fog and scratch-resistant coatings. Avoid ammonia-based cleaners, acetone, alcohol, and any solvent — these dissolve or degrade the anti-fog chemistry on the lens surface. Do not pre-wet a dry lens by rubbing; rinse first to float debris off the surface before any cloth contact. Store in a case or pouch when not in use to prevent contact scratching from tools, debris, or other gear.

Replace the VX9 after any direct impact to the lens — impact can create micro-fractures in polycarbonate that are not visible but reduce the lens's remaining impact energy absorption capacity. Also replace when: lens scratching causes optical distortion or visible hazing in the primary field of view; the anti-fog coating is degraded to the point that fogging cannot be cleared by breathing onto the lens; the frame is deformed, cracked, or no longer holds the lens properly; or the nose piece and temple grips are worn to the point that the frame does not stay in position. There is no mandated replacement interval, but safety glasses in active daily industrial use typically need replacement every 1–2 years minimum.

Both are suitable for outdoor use in bright sunlight, with different strengths. The Gray lens (5510-02) reduces glare while maintaining true color perception — important in applications where color discrimination matters (electrical wire identification, material sorting, traffic signals). The Mirror lens (5510-04) reduces glare more aggressively via its reflective outer coating and is particularly effective at high-glare surfaces like pavement, water, and snow — but the mirrored coating means others cannot see your eyes, which can affect communication and perception in team environments. For most outdoor construction and utility work, gray is the practical default; mirror is a preference upgrade for very high-glare conditions or environments where reflective coating appeal is a factor.

Yes. Yellow (amber) lenses selectively filter blue light wavelengths, which scatter more in haze, fog, and overcast conditions — this scattering is what reduces contrast and visual sharpness in those conditions. By blocking the blue scatter while transmitting other wavelengths, yellow lenses enhance perceived contrast and edge definition. This effect is well-documented for overcast outdoor environments, dawn and dusk work, and fluorescent-lit indoor spaces. Yellow lenses are not effective in conditions that require absolute maximum light transmission (very low-light conditions) — in those cases, Clear is preferable. They are also not suitable as a substitute for proper fog or precipitation protection in extremely poor visibility conditions.