Not all eyewear meets ANSI Z87.1 Standards for eye protection. OSHA regulations direct employers that safety eyewear should be worn whenever there is a risk of injury to the eyes due to impact, heat, chemical, dust or optical radiation hazards.

Most casual eyewear does not meet OSHA requirements for on-the-job use where the potential for eye hazards exists. Eyewear that meets the ANSI Z87.1 Standard is uniquely designed and engineered to withstand greater impacts and still protect the eye.

Safety eyewear frames must pass a high mass impact test and a high velocity impact test. During the high mass impact test, the frame must be capable of resisting impact from a pointed projectile weighing 17.6 ounces dropped from a height of 51.2 inches. The high velocity impact test subjects frames to impacts from a 0.25-inch steel bag traveling at 150-fps velocity. The frame must be capable of resisting this impact.

Lenses that meet the standard must withstand the free drop of a 1-inch steel ball from 50 inches under specific conditions. This is equal to impact energy of .6 foot-pounds.