ANSI Z87.1-2010

American National Standard Practice for Occupational and Educational Personal Eye and Face Protective Devices

The ANSI Z87.1 standard sets forth requirements for the design, construction, testing, and use of eye protection devices, including standards for impact and penetration resistance.  All safety glasses, goggles, and face shields used by employees under OSHA jurisdiction must meet the ANSI Z87.1 standard.  The eyewear standard includes the following minimum requirements:

• Provide adequate protection against the hazards for which they are designed
• Be reasonably comfortable
• Fit securely, without interfering with movement or vision
• Be capable of being disinfected if necessary, and be easy to clean
• Be durable
• Fit over, or incorporate, prescription eyewear

From a practical perspective, eye and face protective devices are important to electric workers exposed to arc flash, where the arc blast poses a hazard or for workers exposed to flash fire, where there is the potential for a secondary blast.  The equipment cited protects workers from projectiles encountered.