Date: Thu, 22 Dec 2005 18:25:06 -0500
Reply-To: lmstroud**At_Symbol_Here**AOL.COM
Sender: DCHAS-L Discussion List <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**LIST.UVM.EDU>
From: lmstroud**At_Symbol_Here**AOL.COM
Subject: Re: ANSI Z87.1 Standard Confusion
Comments: To: Labsafe**At_Symbol_Here**aol.com
In-Reply-To: <1d9.4b746f14.30dc4b5f**At_Symbol_Here**aol.com>
I never made, suggested, nor implied the statement in any correspondence at anytime in my career to anyone. "that school science teachers do not understand which type of  
eye protector to use " was due to the fault of the ANSI Z87.1 standard in any capacity. I certainly do not believe this nor had anyone in my career to indicate such.
 
To clarify my interpretation/understanding of the ANSI Z87.1 standard, I contacted John Palassis, CIH, CSP, CHMM at NIOSH. I include his remarks regaarding the meaning of the standard:
 
Dear Linda,
 
After reading the OSHA 29CFR 1910.133 regulation on Eye and Face Protection at http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=STANDARDS&p_id=9778 
and then reading the comparison of the old (1989) and new (2003) versions of the ANSI Z87.1 standard at http://www.abcsafetymart.com/sglasses/ansi.html , unfortunately I do not have my own copy of the standard, but it is my understanding and opinion that the ANSI gives specific performance tests for strength and integrity of the frame and lens against eye and face hazards that can be found in various occupational and educational operations.  Impact-resistant frames and lenses are of primary importance of the ANSI Z87.1 standard.  However, the ANSI standard also covers specifications for lens and frame markings, optical requirements of the lenses, side shields, and tests for corrosion and flammability of the parts used to manufacture these devices (safety glasses, goggles, face shields (my list)).
 
However, the OSHA 1910.133 eye and face regulation is all-inclusive to cover impact, splashes, dust, and heat and injurious light radiation.  It does say a little about side shields.  OSHA is primarily interested that the employer ensures that the employees are protected by using safely-designed eye and face devices.  The OSHA 1910.133 references only to the old Z87.1-1989 standard.  All other newer revisions of the ANSI Z87.1 should be considered voluntary by the industry and academia.  It is to the benefit of the manufacturers to produce products that meet the newest ANSI Z87.1-2003 standard to stay competitive, and to the benefit of the users to buy eye and face protection devices that meet the newest ANSI standard.  OSHA from the regulatory point of view is interested that these devices meet the 1989 ANSI requirements.
John P.  
 
I hope this clarifies my position regarding ANSI Z87.1. I also stand by my response to Ralph Stuart's concern regarding safety glasses. It is just my humble opinion based on my experience.
 
Linda M. Stroud, Ph.D.
Science & Safety Consulting Services
 
 
-----Original Message-----
From: Jim Kaufman 
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**LIST.UVM.EDU
Sent: Thu, 22 Dec 2005 13:33:03 EST
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] ANSI Z87.1 Standard Confusion

 
 
I received a clarification (for the message below)  .  The  author wrote (in 
part) ...
 
 
<< Teachers do not know the (ANSI Z87.1) standard refers to impact  only. 
What is difficult to understand about this? >> 
 
What is difficult to understand is why some might believe that this is  true. 
 It is simply not true.  The ANSI Z87.1 standard is NOT "simply  an impact 
standard" and it does NOT "refer(s) to impact only."  
 
 
Hopefully, no one else on the DCHAS discussion list is laboring under the  
same misconception.  
 

The ANSI Z87.1 is a general eye and face protection standard that  deals with 
five different types of hazards: Impact, dust, chemical, heat, and  optical 
radiation. It provides specifications for several different types of  
protective devices and indicates which type of device is appropriate which type  
of 
hazard.
 
Furthermore, I believe that it is not primarily ANSI's fault (as the author  
suggested to me) that school science teachers do not understand which type of  
eye protector to use.  In my opinion, the fault here lies primarily  with 
employers not doing what they are supposed to do under the OSHA  29CRF1910.132 
and .133 standards: identify the hazards in the workplace, decide  what 
protective equipment should be used, train employees, ensure that the  devices 
are 
available and used, and more.  
 
Others contributing to science teacher confusion include (but are not  
limited to) well-intentioned folks who teach them this and other kinds of  
misinformation; professional organizations that publish improper,  misleading, 
and 
confusing photos; and manufacturers/vendors who provide  incomplete, incorrect, 
and misleading product/safety  information.

 
Happy Holidays, ... Jim
 
 
In a message dated 12/21/2005 12:02:18 A.M. Eastern Standard Time,  
LISTSERV**At_Symbol_Here**LIST.UVM.EDU writes:

Date:    Tue, 20 Dec 2005 00:47:04 EST
From:     Jim Kaufman 
Subject: Re: ANSI standard

In a  message dated 12/20/2005 12:02:23 A.M. Eastern Standard Time,   
LISTSERV**At_Symbol_Here**LIST.UVM.EDU writes:

"They  simply tell me that the  science catalog indicated the safety glasses 
met the  ANSI Z87.1  standard-not knowing it is an impact standard only."

I'm not sure I  understood what you meant here.  ...  Jim



James A. Kaufman, Ph.D. 
Laboratory Safety Institute  (LSI)
President/CEO
jimkaufman**At_Symbol_Here**labsafety.org

A  Nonprofit International Organization for
Safety in Science and Science  Education

192 Worcester Road, Natick, MA 01760-2252
508-647-1900  Fax: 508-647-0062
Cell: 508-574-6264 Res: 781-237-1335
info**At_Symbol_Here**labsafety.org  _www.labsafety.org_ (http://www.labsafety.org/) 

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and Important Part of  Education, Work, and Life

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