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/)
Making Health, Safety, and the Environment an Integral
and Important Part of Education, Work, and Life
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