OSHA Questions

OSHA Question:
How can I tell if my sunglasses are approved by OSHA as safety glasses?  

Answer:
OSHA does not test or "approve" safety glasses.  OSHA 1910.133 indicates that protective eye and face protection devices must comply with ANSI Standard Z87.1   ANSI is short for "American National Standards Institute."

Instead of conducting their own testing of safety glasses, OSHA relies on ANSI Z87.1.  If the glasses comply with Z87.1, they meet the requirements of OSHA.

Look on your glasses for " Z87.1" stamped, imprinted, labeled, etc.  Usually this will be inside one of the two ear hangars.

OSHA also provides that if an employer can demonstrate that eye protection devices are at least as effective as protective eye devices that are constructed in accordance with ANSI Z87.1, those devices will be deemed to be in compliance with the OSHA requirement..