ANSI Z87.1 is the U.S. national standard defining impact, optical, and hazard protection requirements for safety eyewear in occupational settings.
ANSI Z87.1 defines how protective eyewear must perform under impact, chemical, and optical stress in U.S. workplaces. Adopted by OSHA under 29 CFR 1910.133, it is the legal benchmark employers must meet when eye hazards are present.
What Does ANSI Z87.1 Cover?
The standard applies to safety glasses, goggles, side shields, and face shields in occupational and educational U.S. settings, not consumer sunglasses unless they pass these tests. Scope covers impact resistance, optical quality, and hazard-specific protection. For impact, lenses survive a drop-ball test (1-inch steel ball, 2.4 oz, dropped from 50 inches); lens and frame must remain intact with no cracking. High-impact Z87+ eyewear passes a high-velocity test at 150 ft/sec and a high-mass impact test. Hazard markings: D3 (droplets/splashes), D4 (fine dust), D5 (finer particulate), V (sunglaze tint, <50% light transmission), S (special hazard tint).
Z87 vs. Z87+: What’s The Difference?
The frame/lens stamp indicates impact level. Z87 passed basic drop-ball. Z87+ also passed high-velocity and high-mass tests defined by the current ANSI Z87.1 standard. For flying debris, grinding, or machining, choose Z87+.
| Marking | Impact Level | Key Tests Passed | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Z87 | Basic | Drop-ball impact (1 in. steel ball from 50 in.) | Low-risk tasks: assembly, inspection, light maintenance |
| Z87+ | High Impact | High-velocity (150 ft/sec) + high-mass impact | Grinding, cutting, machining, construction, demolition |
| Z87-2 | Basic (prescription) | Same as Z87, frame marked for prescription use | Low-risk tasks needing corrective vision |
| Z87-2+ | High Impact (prescription) | Same as Z87+, for prescription safety glasses | High-risk work needing corrective vision |
Prescription safety glasses must carry Z87-2 or Z87-2+ on the frame—not lenses. Frame marking is what OSHA checks. Non-prescription glasses require the mark on both frame and lens.
How To Verify ANSI Z87.1 Compliance
Check temple arms, nose bridge, or lens corner for permanent Z87 or Z87+ stamp (or Z87-2/Z87-2+ on prescription frames). Inspect frame for cracks—damage voids compliance. Common buyer mistakes: assuming Z87 means high-impact (use Z87+ instead) and thinking thick prescription lenses are automatically compliant without frame marking. Side protection is required when flying objects are a risk; wraparound designs are safest. For verified models, see our roundup of the best Z87.1 safety glasses by job type and budget. Employers must provide compliant prescription PPE under OSHA 1910.132(h)(2) but need not pay for non-specialty eyewear usable off-site. ANSI Z87.1 is U.S.-specific; international users need EN 166 or AS/NZS 1337.
FAQs
Are all safety glasses automatically ANSI Z87.1 certified?
No. Only glasses permanently stamped Z87, Z87+, Z87-2, or Z87-2+ meet the standard. Unmarked glasses are not certified for occupational use.
Can I replace the lenses and keep certification?
No. Certification applies to the complete protector. Aftermarket lenses void compliance unless from the same manufacturer and rated for that frame.
What’s the difference between Z87.1 and military ballistic standards?
ANSI Z87.1 focuses on workplace hazards like debris/splashes. Military standards (e.g., MIL-PRF-32432) address projectile threats at higher velocities.
References & Sources
- ANSI Blog. “ANSI/ISEA Z87.1-2025: Safety Glasses and Eye Protection Standard Updated.” Overview of the current 2025 edition and key changes from the 2020 version.
- OSHA. “29 CFR 1910.133 – Eye and face protection.” The federal regulation requiring ANSI Z87.1-compliant protective eyewear in workplaces with eye hazards.
- CDC / NIOSH. “Eye Safety.” Official guidance on selecting and using protective eyewear in occupational environments.