Looking for a new pair of safety glasses but not sure what the different certifications mean? Wiley X expert Karen and Sunglass Rob go over the differences between sport and work safety glasses, how the frames and lenses are tested and the standards each meets. Read on to delve into the nitty-gritty differences between the ANSI Z87 standard and the ASTM F803 standard.

 

Table of Contents

1. Sport or Work Safety Glasses?
2. What is the ANSI safety standard?
3. How to tell if a frame meets the ANSI standard?
4. What is the ASTM F803 safety standard?
5. How to tell a frame meets the ASTM standard?

 

Sport or Work Safety Glasses?

When deciding between the two safety glasses options, it's best to start the decision process what environment you will be primarily using them in. In a nutshell, the ANSI standard is concerned with something breaking through the lens, making them great in the work environment. On the other hand, the ASTM standard is primarily concerned with lens dislodgement from the frame, a sport-focused standard.

Looking for the inside scoop on the best safety glasses? Check out Best Safety Glasses of 2019 | ANSI Certified Safety Sunglasses for the top recommended safety glasses from our SportRx opticians.

ANSI vs ASTM

ANSI vs ASTM

What is the ANSI Z87.1 Standard?

ANSI (American National Standards Institute) Z87.1 is the standard required for occupational safety. In order to qualify for the ANSI certification, lenses must withstand the weight of a 1.1 lb pointed projectile dropped from a height of 50”. This is the High Mass Impact Test. In the second test, lenses and frames must withstand the impact of a .25” diameter steel ball fired at 150 FPS, the High Velocity Impact Test.

How to tell if a frame meets the ANSI standard?

Frame Markings :

  • “Z87” with a “+” marking shows the frame passes the ANSI High Velocity and High Impact testing
  • ANSI markings must be on each temple and the frame front

Lens Markings:

  • “+” shows the lens meets the High Velocity and High Impact Test
  • “S” shows the lens is a filter or shaded lens (not clear)
  • “V” shows the lens is a variable-tint photochromic lens

What is the ASTM F803 Standard?

ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) F803 is the safety standard for protective sports eyewear. When tested, the eyewear must withstand projectiles sized from 40mm to 65.1mm fired at a rate of 90 mph. All styles in Wiley X's Youth Force line pass testing for soccer, basketball, racquetball, squash, badminton, paddleball, tennis, and handball.

How to tell if a frame meets the ASTM Standard?

Frames:

  • For prescription frames, frame must be marked with the manufacturer's name, frame style, and a date code.
  • For Plano (non-prescription) frames, they must be marked with the manufacturer's name and frame style.

Lenses:

  • Prescription lenses do not require markings but a lab slip that includes frame name, lens material, prescription, and lab info must accompany glasses.

Get Prescription Safety Glasses at SportRx

Need prescription Safety Glasses? Done. When you shop with us, you’ll find video guides and tooltips throughout the build process as you customize the perfect pair. An answer to all your questions is at your fingertips, and if you want to chat with an expert, Contact Us. We’ll put you in touch with one of our friendly in-house opticians who can help you build your prescription Safety Glasses.

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