When it comes to choosing the right safety glasses, it’s important to understand the different ratings that ensure they provide adequate protection for various hazards. Safety glasses are rated based on standards like ANSI Z87.1, which is the American National Standards Institute rating for eye and face protection. This includes several sub-ratings such as Z87 for basic impact protection, Z87+ for high impact protection, D3 for protection against droplets and splashes, D4 for protection against dust, and D5 for protection against fine dust. There’s also the EN 166 standard, which is the European standard for safety glasses, covering both the frame and lenses with additional markings to indicate the glasses’ strength and optical class. In Canada, the CSA Z94.3 standard ensures that eye and face protectors meet specific performance criteria for impact resistance and other hazards. These ratings help you choose the right eyewear for your specific needs, whether you’re dealing with impact, dust, chemical splashes, or other hazards.
