What is the best type of Safety Glasses to buy? You hear yourself and other people ask this question. One should always think safety eyewear will help protect my eyes. The eyes are one of most sensitive parts of our body. What kind should you wear when starting a project at work or home? Because there are so many different types available. Most people get confused and don’t know how to pick out the right type of protective eye wear.
Let’s begin! Safety lenses have a higher resistance standard compared to regular eyeglass lenses. This makes them ideal for daily or non-conventional projects at work or home. Here in the USA we follow standards issued by; The American National Standards Institute often referred to as ANSI. They have created specifications for the manufacturing of a variety of lenses for the working and playing environments.
ANSI has done testing on glass and polycarbonate lenses for many different situations and environments. They also have established specific criteria and standards for marking the lenses for all these different possible combinations.
First, how does ANSI do an Assessment of Safety lenses?
According to ANSI the following is basically their testing procedure standards performed on all different types of lens materials used for safety glasses!
- There are two types of lenses; non prescription and prescription. Regular (non prescription) glasses usually are thinner because of the different materials available. As long as this material and sizing can pass the impact tests; it can be used. The same standard and results are true for prescription lenses.
- First the hardness test is performed on the glass without the frames being attached. A hardness tester is used on polycarbonate (plastic) and glass lens materials. Both types must pass ANSI’s minimum standards.
- Next a basic impact test needs to be performed. This is where a one inch diameter steel ball is dropped onto the lens material. The glass should not break, crack or chip.
- Finally a high impact test must be performed. This is where a quarter inch diameter steel ball is dropped onto the lens at a rate of 150 feet per second. Once again the lens material should not break, crack or chip.
One way to tell if you have a genuine set of standard eye protection lenses. Check and see if you can find ANSI Identification Description Markers shown on the lenses. Here’s what they are and mean. These markings have to be permanent and there are no exceptions allowed. It is also helps identify lenses are genuine and can be trusted.
- For high impact lenses a plus “+” mark is used. The plus mark means this lens have passed the high impact test like the one talked about above.
- To show a lens is photo chromatic the letter; “V” is used.
- When lenses have a special tint the letter; “S” is used.
- For basic impact rating lenses you’ll see a check mark next to lettering; “Z87”
- To indicate high impact rated lenses the; “Z87+” lettering will be checked.
- Where protection from low to a high intense light rays (usually a heat source) there must be present a special marking. The lens must be shaded and contain a high tinted measured lens marking. (An example where this comes into practice would be protection for welders) These special types of lenses must have lettering marks indicating the level of tint. Each level is different depending on light source. The range of these markings must run from 1.5 – 3 for slight protection. Then for high radiating heat light waves the marking will have a 10 -14 range.
With ANSI basic knowledge in hand about their testing procedures and identification marking system explained. You now have additional information for consideration when purchasing Eye Protection Safety Glasses for your needs.
Mikaela J is a professional who over the last few years is making her mark doing niche product reviews. You can check out her latest web site Eye Protection Safety Glasses [ https://www.glassesshop.net/] where she provides more information and unbiased reviews on all different types of Safety lenses.
She specializes in finding unique products for consumers; great at translating product technical jargon into plain English. Sometimes she even offers suggestions on who has the best prices, product delivery, warranty and return policies on the internet.
This article offers testing procedures and how to identify Safety Glasses lenses. On her web site you’ll find suggestions on how to get corrective lenses for Prescription Safety Glasses [ https://www.glassesshop.net/] and other types of safety eye wear.