If you wear impact glasses, you’re probably concerned about safety. But how are impact glasses rated for safety? Find out in this post.
Impact glasses safety ratings
When it comes to impact-resistant glass, there are two main standards: ANSI Z87.1 and CSA Z94.3. Most impact-resistant glasses will meet at least one of these standards, but some may meet both. Here’s a quick overview of each standard.
The ANSI Z87.1 standard is the one that’s most commonly used to rate the safety of impact glasses. This standard rates glasses based on their ability to protect your eyes from flying objects and debris.
There are three levels of protection:
- Basic: protects your eyes from small objects traveling at slow speeds
- Medium: protects your eyes from medium-sized objects traveling at medium speeds
- High: protects your eyes from large objects traveling at high speeds
Most impact glasses are rated for basic or medium protection. Some glass manufacturers may also label their products as “safety” or “protective” glasses, but these terms don’t qualify as adequate safety ratings.
ANSI Z87.1 covers three different types of products:
- Eyewear (safety glasses, goggles, face shields)
- Headwear (hard hats, welding helmets)
- Visors (welding shields)
Most impact glasses have an ANSI Z87.1 rating, which means they have been tested to meet impact standards set by the American National Standards Institute. There are three different ratings for impact glasses: basic (Z87), intermediate (Z87+), and high-velocity (Z87++). The higher the rating, the more protection the glasses offer.
CSA Z94.3 is the Canadian Standard Association’s standard for impact-resistant eye and face protection. This standard covers four different types of products:
- Safety eyewear (safety glasses, goggles)
- Welding helmets and head shields
- Face shields
- Full facepiece respirators
What are impact glasses?
Impact glasses or safety glasses are designed to protect your eyes from flying debris, splash hazards, and harmful UV rays. They are made with durable materials such as polycarbonate, which is 10 times stronger than glass. Impact glasses come in various styles to fit your needs, including clear, tinted, and mirrored lenses.
If you work in a hazardous environment or participate in activities where there is a risk of eye injury, it is important to choose the right type of impact glasses for your needs.
How are impact glasses rated for safety?
There are three main ways that impact glasses are rated for safety. The first is by their ability to resist shatter and breakage. The second is by their capacity to block out dangerous UV rays, and the third is by their capacity to filter out visible light.
Shatter and breakage resistance is measured by what is called the “ball drop test.” A steel ball is dropped from a specified height onto the lens of the impact glasses. If the lenses survive without shattering or breaking, then they are said to be shatter-resistant.
The capacity to block out UV rays is measured in terms of how much UV radiation is allowed to pass through the lenses. The more UV radiation that is blocked, the better the protection for your eyes.
Finally, the capacity to filter out visible light is measured in terms of how much light is allowed to pass through the lenses. The less light that is allowed to pass through, the better the protection for your eyes.
What are the benefits of wearing impact glasses?
There are many benefits of wearing impact glasses, including:
- They provide protection from flying debris, which can prevent serious injuries to the eyes.
- They can help to protect your eyes from UV radiation, which can cause long-term damage.
- They can reduce the risk of eye injuries in general, as well as the severity of injuries that do occur.
- They are often required for certain jobs or activities, such as working in a laboratory or playing certain sports.
How do impact glasses protect your eyes?
There are two types of safety glasses – those that protect your eyes from impact and those that protect your eyes from UV rays. Impact glasses are designed to protect your eyes from flying debris, dust, and other potential hazards. UV glasses, on the other hand, are designed to protect your eyes from the harmful effects of ultraviolet radiation.
What are the different types of impact glasses?
There are three different types of impact glasses: safety glasses, safety goggles, and face shields.
- Safety glasses are designed to protect your eyes from flying debris, dust, and other potential hazards. They typically have side shields or wrap-around lenses to provide maximum protection, and they may also have anti-fog or anti-scratch coatings.
- Safety goggles are designed to fit snugly against your face, forming a seal that helps keep out dust, fumes, and other potential hazards. They typically have indirect vents to help prevent fogging, and they may also have an anti-scratch coating.
- Face shields are designed to protect your entire face from potential hazards. They typically have a clear plastic visor that extends below the chin, and they may also have an adjustable head strap for a snug fit.
How to choose the right impact glasses for you?
Impact glasses are available in a variety of styles and designs, so you can find a pair that suits your needs and personal taste. When choosing a pair of impact glasses, it is important to consider the following factors:
- The level of protection they offer. Impact glasses are rated according to their ability to withstand flying debris; the higher the rating, the better protected you will be.
- The fit. Impact glasses should fit snugly and comfortably on your face to ensure they stay in place during activities.
- The type of lens. Impact glasses are available with clear or tinted lenses; choose the lens type that best suits your needs.
When it comes to protecting your eyes at work, there are a lot of choices to make. Not only do you have to decide between safety glasses and goggles, but you also need to choose the right frame and lens type for your needs. And if you wear prescription glasses, you’ll need to find impact-resistant glasses that fit over your regular glasses or get prescription safety glasses.
How to care for your impact glasses?
To keep your impact glasses in top condition, it is important to properly clean and store them. Cleaning the lenses with a mild soap and water solution will remove any dirt or debris that could obscure your vision. Be sure to dry the lenses completely before storing the glasses away.
When not in use, impact glasses should be stored in a safe, dry place. A hard case is ideal for protecting the lenses from scratches or other damage. If you do not have a case, you can wrap the glasses in a soft cloth before placing them in a drawer or other storage space.
FAQs about impact glasses
Q: What is the difference between ballistic and shatterproof glasses?
A: Ballistic glasses are made to protect your eyes from high-velocity flying objects, such as a bullet. Shatterproof glasses are made to protect your eyes from medium-velocity impacts, such as a baseball. Most impact glasses provide protection from both low and high-velocity impacts.
Q: How are impact glasses rated?
A: There are three main standards used to rate impact glasses’ safety: ANSI Z87.1, MIL-PRF 31013, and CSA Z94.3. ANSI is the American National Standards Institute, MIL is the Military Standard, and CSA is the Canadian Standards Association.
- ANSI Z87.1 is the most common standard used in the United States. It rates impact glasses on three factors: high-velocity impact protection, basic impact protection, and optical clarity. High-velocity impact protection measures how well the glasses protect your eyes from high-speed particles, such as a bullet. Basic impact protection measures how well the glasses protect your eyes from lower-speed particles, such as a baseball. Optical clarity measures how well you can see through the lenses of the glasses.
- MIL-PRF 31013 is the military standard for impact glasses. It rates impact resistance, lens retention, flammability, UV Protection, and transmission Ballistic Fragmentation protective eyewear. In order to be rated by this standard, a pair of ballistic fragmentation protective eyewear must first pass tests for ballistics (high velocity), basic (low velocity), flammability (burn resistance), and BFE (bacterial filtration efficiency). After passing these tests, they are then judged on six more factors: vision (clarity), fit (how well they stay on your face), function (how easy they are to use), the field of view, comfort, and reverse donning. The MIL-PRF 31013 standard is used by all branches of the US military, as well as by many law enforcement and security agencies around the world.
- CSA Z94.3 is the Canadian equivalent of ANSI Z87.1. It rates eye protection on three factors: high-speed particle resistance, low-speed particle resistance, and spectral transmittance. In order to be certified by this standard, an article of ballistic fragmentation protective eyewear must first pass tests for ballistics (high velocity), basic (low velocity), flammability (burn resistance), and BFE (bacterial filtration efficiency). After passing these tests, they are then judged on six more factors: vision (clarity), fit (how well they stay on your face), function (how easy they are to use), the field of view comfort, and reverse donning.
In Closing
When it comes to eye protection while on the job or at the shooting range, you always want to wear the highest level of protection. So, make sure to only purchase impact safety glasses that meet or exceed the highest impact ratings.
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