On behalf of Accredited Standards Committee (ASC) Z87, ISEA is soliciting public comments of the next edition of the American National Standard for Occupational and Educational Eye and Face Protection Devices, ANSI/ISEA Z87.1.

ANSI/ISEA Z87.1 establishes performance criteria and testing requirements for devices used to protect the eyes and face from injuries from impact, non-ionizing radiation and chemical exposure in workplaces and schools.  It covers all types of protective devices, including spectacles, goggles, faceshields, welding helmets and handshields, and full facepiece respirators.  The standard includes descriptions and general requirements, as well as criteria for testing, marking, selection, use and care.

"This edition of Z87.1 is a dramatic change in the way the standard is organized," according to ISEA Manager of Standards Programs Cristine Fargo. "The committee believes it will be much more useful in selecting the right eye and face protectors for specific hazards."

She explained that the 2003 edition of the Z87.1 standard and its predecessors were organized by the type of protector. Each type of protector - spectacles, goggles, faceshields and welding helmets - had its own chapter, describing the protector, required testing and optical properties and product marking requirements. This led to significant repetition within the standard.

For the current revision, ASC Z87 evaluated user needs, product variety and protection in an effort to write a document that is more useful for eye and face protection wearers. The new draft focuses on the hazard and is organized by the nature of the hazard such as droplet and splash, impact, optical radiation, dust, fine dust and mist.

"A benefit of this approach is that it will encourage users and employers to evaluate the specific hazards that they are exposed to in their environment," Fargo said. Selection of appropriate eye and face protection will be based on this hazard evaluation.

Because the standard is radically different, the product markings have changed. Users will need to be educated on matching the hazard that they need protection from with the marking on the product.

The Z87 committee also made efforts to harmonize with other eye and face protection standard used in the world. Many of the tables in this standard reflect this effort to harmonize with global standards.

The public review period closes August 4, which is 45 days from the date of publication in ANSI Standards Action. To obtain a review copy of the draft revision, contact Cristine Fargo at ISEA, 703-525-1695. Review copies are $45 each.