Safety specs

ANSI Z87.1, in plain terms

ANSI Z87.1 is the US standard for occupational eye protection. It sets how eyewear is tested for impact, and how it has to be marked so anyone can tell what a pair is rated for. OSHA's eye protection rule for general industry points at this standard, which is why a safety officer will look for the Z87 mark on your glasses.

Everyday prescription glasses are not safety glasses, however tough the frame feels. Only eyewear built and tested to Z87.1 carries the mark.

Reading the markings

The codes are stamped on the frame front, the temples, or etched on the lens. These are the ones you are most likely to see:

Z87

Passed the basic impact test.

Z87+

Passed the high-impact test — the one that matters for grinding, chipping, hammering and flying debris.

Z87-2

Marks a prescription safety frame, as opposed to a non-prescription one.

D3 / D4 / D5

Rated for splash, dust, and fine dust respectively.

U, R, L

Filter scales for UV, infrared and visible light, each followed by a number.

Maker's mark

The manufacturer's logo or initials, stamped next to the rating.

A number after a letter is a scale, not a score: a higher UV number filters more, it does not mean "better" for every job.

What our frames carry

Every frame we sell is ANSI Z87.1 rated to the high-impact level, Z87+. Each model adds its own protection on top of that:

The Foreman

Z87+ · Wraparound profile, which closes the gap at the side of the eye.

The Yardline

Z87+ · Side shields, for high-impact job sites.

The Night Shift

Z87+ · Progressive-ready, and light enough for long shifts.

Your prescription lenses are made and fitted in our own Houston lab, and an optician checks every pair before it ships. See all frames.

Choosing a lens tint

Clear

Indoor work, shops, warehouses and night shifts.

Smoke

Outdoor work in bright sun — cuts glare without distorting colour much.

Amber

Low, flat or overcast light, where it lifts contrast.

A tint changes how much light reaches your eyes, not how much impact the lens takes. All three are made to the same rating.

When to replace a pair

Replace safety eyewear after any hard impact, even if you cannot see damage — the material absorbs the hit once, and it is not meant to take a second. Replace it, too, when scratches sit in your line of sight, since a scratch is both a blind spot and a weak point. Deep scratches, a cracked lens or a bent frame all mean the pair has stopped doing its job.

Damage from impacts, scratches and normal wear is not covered by our 90-day warranty, which covers manufacturing defects.

Not sure what your site requires?

Requirements change by trade and by site, and your employer's safety officer has the final word on what your job needs. Tell us what you do and where, and our Houston team will help you match it. We also do on-site fitting for crews.