Eye and face protection
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Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Z87 and Z87+ marked eyewear?
Z87 is the basic level under ANSI/ISEA Z87.1, while Z87+ means the eyewear passed high-impact testing, including a high-velocity steel ball and a heavy dropped mass. Grinding, cutting, chiselling or any area with flying fragments should use Z87+. The marking must appear on both frame and lens for the whole assembly to be rated.
When are goggles needed instead of safety glasses?
Open-sided spectacles do not stop splashes, fine dust or chemical vapour. Z87.1 uses D3 for droplets and splash, D4 for dust and D5 for fine dust, and these ratings are normally achieved only by sealed goggles. Mixing chemicals or acid and caustic cleaning needs goggles with the right marking, plus a face shield where splash is heavy.
Can a face shield replace safety glasses?
No. A face shield is a secondary layer and must always be worn over safety glasses or goggles, because fragments and liquids can get in from below or the sides. For handheld grinding the usual combination is Z87+ eyewear plus a face shield.
How is the shade number for welding lenses chosen?
The shade depends on the process and current: stick, MIG and TIG at common currents typically need around shade 10 to 13, while gas welding and cutting use much lighter shades. Start darker and step down until the weld pool is clearly visible. Helpers working nearby also need suitable filters, not only the welder.
What should be done with scratched or fogged lenses?
Scratched lenses reduce vision and may have lost some impact strength, so replace them rather than polishing. Anti-fog coatings help in hot, humid areas or when worn with a respirator. Where lenses are replaceable, use the same manufacturer's lens to keep the rating valid.
How should people who wear prescription glasses choose eye protection?
There are three options: over-the-glasses safety eyewear, prescription safety glasses, or frames with a prescription insert behind the lens. Ordinary prescription glasses do not replace safety eyewear because their lenses and frames are not impact tested. Over-glasses models must seal at the sides without pressing the prescription frame into the face.
Can safety eyewear be used together with a respirator and earmuffs?
Yes, but the combination should be tried before it is chosen. Eyewear temples can break the earmuff cushion seal and lower its attenuation, while a half mask can push eyewear out of position or fog it with exhaled air. Thin, flat temples and a respirator with a downward exhalation valve usually combine better.
How should safety eyewear be cleaned and stored?
Rinse the lenses with clean water first to wash away grit, then wipe with the cleaner and soft cloth recommended by the manufacturer. Dry wiping a lens that still carries grinding dust is a common cause of scratches. Store eyewear in its own pouch or case and never lay it lens-down on a bench.
