ANSI Z87.1 Certification Requirements

Impact Protection Levels

Basic Impact (Z87) – Protects against low-velocity impact (1” steel ball at 150 ft/sec) – Suitable for: General shop work, light grinding, non-welding tasks

High Impact (Z87+) – Protects against high-velocity impact (1/4” steel ball at 150 ft/sec) – Required for: Welding, grinding, chipping, cutting – Marking: “Z87+” stamped on frame and lens

Side Shield Requirement: – All welding safety glasses must have side shields or wraparound design – Prevents spatter and debris from entering around lens edges

Shade Number Selection by Process

Note: Safety glasses are supplemental protection worn under welding helmets or for indirect arc exposure (helper/observer).

Lens Types & Technologies

Fixed Shade Lenses

• Pros: No batteries, consistent darkness, low cost
• Cons: Single shade only, must swap lenses for different processes
• Best for: Dedicated single-process work, backup glasses
• Cost: $10-$30

Auto-Darkening Lenses

• Pros: Adjustable shade range, no lens swapping
• Cons: Battery replacement, higher cost
• Shade range: Typically #5-#13
• Reaction time: 0.0001-0.00004 seconds
• Best for: Multi-process shops, frequent shade changes
• Cost: $50-$150

Passive IR/UV Protection (Clear Lenses)

• Function: Blocks UV and infrared without visible light darkening
• Use case: Grinding, fabrication, indirect arc exposure (helper/observer)
• Shade equivalent: #1.5-#2
• Best for: Non-welding tasks requiring impact protection

UV & IR Protection Standards

UV Protection (200-400nm wavelength): – All welding lenses must block 99.9%+ UV radiation – Permanent damage occurs from unprotected UV exposure (arc eye/welder’s flash)

Infrared Protection (780nm-1mm wavelength): – Blocks heat radiation from welding arc – Prevents retinal damage and cataracts from prolonged exposure

Visible Light Transmission: – Shade #3: 14.3% transmission (light tint) – Shade #8: 0.58% transmission (moderate darkness) – Shade #12: 0.0018% transmission (very dark)

Lens Coatings & Features

Anti-Fog Coating

• Purpose: Prevents condensation in humid environments or when wearing respirator
• Best for: Summer welding, enclosed spaces, respirator use
• Limitation: Coating wears off after 6-12 months

Anti-Scratch Coating

• Purpose: Extends lens life in high-abrasion environments
• Best for: Grinding, fabrication, production shops
• Hardness rating: 4-6H pencil hardness (military spec MIL-PRF-32432)

Polarized Lenses

• Purpose: Reduces glare from reflective surfaces (polished stainless, aluminum)
• Best for: TIG welding on reflective materials
• Limitation: Not necessary for carbon steel or general fabrication

Frame Styles & Fit

Wraparound Design

• Coverage: Maximum side and peripheral protection
• Best for: Grinding, cutting, high-spatter welding
• Fit: Snug to face, minimal gap around edges

Over-the-Glass (OTG) Design

• Purpose: Fits over prescription eyeglasses
• Best for: Welders who wear corrective lenses
• Limitation: Bulkier, may not fit all prescription frame sizes

Prescription Welding Glasses

• Purpose: Combines corrective lenses with welding shade
• Best for: Full-time welders who need vision correction
• Cost: $150-$400 (requires optometrist fitting)

When to Wear Safety Glasses vs. Helmet

Safety Glasses (Supplemental Protection)

• Grinding, cutting, or fabrication (no arc)
• Indirect arc exposure (helper/observer 10+ feet from arc)
• Under welding helmet as secondary protection
• Oxy-fuel cutting or brazing (low UV output)

Welding Helmet (Primary Protection)

• Direct arc exposure (TIG, MIG, stick, flux-core)
• Primary welder performing arc welding
• Required for all arc welding processes per OSHA 1910.252

OSHA Requirement: Safety glasses must be worn under welding helmets in environments with grinding, chipping, or multiple welding stations.

Common Mistakes

Using non-certified safety glasses for welding
Fashion sunglasses or non-Z87+ glasses don’t block UV/IR radiation. Result: arc eye (photokeratitis) and permanent retinal damage. Always verify Z87+ marking.

Wrong shade number for amperage
Shade #3 glasses for 150A MIG = retinal burn risk. Shade #12 for oxy-fuel cutting = can’t see work. Match shade to process and amperage.

Skipping safety glasses under helmet
Grinding debris or spatter can enter under helmet. OSHA requires safety glasses as secondary protection in multi-hazard environments.

Buying Checklist

• ✓ ANSI Z87+ certification marked on frame and lens
• ✓ Shade number matches process and amperage range
• ✓ UV/IR protection rated for welding (99.9%+ UV block)
• ✓ Side shields or wraparound design for peripheral protection
• ✓ Anti-fog coating if working in humid environments
• ✓ Anti-scratch coating for grinding/fabrication work
• ✓ Comfortable fit (no pressure points, secure without slipping)
• ✓ OTG design if wearing prescription glasses

Auto-darkening helmets protect your eyes by switching from light to dark state when arc strikes. Choosing the right one depends on lens speed, shade range, viewing area, and certification—not brand hype.

Key Specifications

Reaction Time (Switching Speed)

TIG welding requires faster response (1/20000s minimum) due to low-amperage arc initiation. MIG and stick work fine with 1/10000s.

Shade Range

• Standard range: #9–#13
• TIG-specific: #5–#13 (low-amp visibility)
• Grinding mode: #3–#4 (light state)

AWS D1.1 requires minimum shade #10 for 60–160A stick welding, #11 for 160–250A, #12 for 250–550A.

Viewing Area

Larger viewing area improves peripheral awareness in tight spaces and multi-pass work.

Optical Clarity Rating (1/1/1/1 to 1/1/1/3)

Four numbers indicate: optical class / light diffusion / variations in luminous transmittance / angle dependence.

• 1/1/1/1 = highest clarity (minimal distortion)
• 1/1/1/2 = professional grade
• 1/1/1/3 = acceptable for general fabrication

Certification Requirements

ANSI Z87.1+ (High-Impact Rated)
Required for all industrial welding environments. Plus symbol (+) indicates high-velocity impact protection.

CSA Z94.3
Canadian standard equivalent to ANSI Z87.1+.

EN379
European standard covering optical class, switching time, and UV/IR protection.

Process-Specific Requirements

TIG (GTAW)

• Reaction time: 1/20000s or faster
• Shade range: #5–#13 (low-amp start visibility)
• Sensitivity adjustment: Essential for low-amperage starts

MIG (GMAW)

• Reaction time: 1/10000s acceptable
• Shade range: #9–#13
• Spatter resistance: Check lens cover plate availability

Stick (SMAW)

• Reaction time: 1/10000s acceptable
• Shade range: #10–#13
• Grinding mode: Useful for slag removal between passes

Flux-Core (FCAW)

• Same as MIG requirements
• Higher spatter = more frequent cover plate replacement

Power Source Options

Solar-powered

• Pros: No battery replacement, lighter weight
• Cons: Requires adequate light exposure, slower recovery in dim environments

Battery-powered

• Pros: Consistent performance in all lighting
• Cons: Battery replacement every 6–12 months (CR2032 or AAA)

Solar + Battery Hybrid

• Best reliability for production environments
• Battery backup prevents downtime

True Color vs. Standard Lens Technology

True color improves precision on stainless and aluminum TIG work but isn’t necessary for structural steel fabrication.

Buying Checklist

• ✓ ANSI Z87.1+ certification marked on helmet
• ✓ Reaction time matches your primary process
• ✓ Shade range covers your amperage requirements
• ✓ Viewing area suits your work environment
• ✓ Optical clarity rating 1/1/1/2 or better
• ✓ Replacement lens covers readily available
• ✓ Adjustable sensitivity and delay controls
• ✓ Grinding mode if you do stick or flux-core

Common Mistakes

Buying based on viewing area alone
Large viewing area with slow reaction time = retina damage risk. Verify switching speed first.

Ignoring optical clarity rating
1/1/1/3 lenses cause eye strain during 8+ hour shifts. Pay for 1/1/1/2 if you weld full-time.

Skipping sensitivity adjustment testing
Low-amperage TIG (10–40A) won’t trigger poorly calibrated sensors. Test before buying.