Construction Safety Glasses Requirements (OSHA & ANSI Explained)

Construction safety glasses requirements define when and how eye protection must be used on jobsites where workers face risks from flying debris, dust, chemicals, or impact hazards.

In the United States, these requirements are regulated by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and supported by American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standards that specify how safety glasses must perform under construction conditions.

This article explains the OSHA requirements for construction safety glasses, what “OSHA-approved” safety glasses really mean, and how to identify eyewear that meets ANSI Z87.1 standards.

The goal is to help contractors, safety managers, and crews understand what is required on site and how to select compliant eye protection for daily jobsite use.

 

OSHA Requirements for Construction Safety Glasses

The term “OSHA-approved safety glasses” is commonly used but misleading. OSHA does not approve specific products or brands.  

Instead, it sets requirements that employers must follow.

For construction safety glasses, OSHA requires eye protection to comply with ANSI Z87.1, the standard for eye and face protection.  

Construction work exposes crews to airborne particles, dust, chemical residues, and ultraviolet radiation from daily tasks like cutting, grinding, and material handling.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, construction consistently ranks among industries with elevated rates of eye injuries.

These risks are why the Occupational Safety and Health Administration requires eye protection to meet defined performance standards.

Glasses meeting this standard are tested for impact resistance, optical clarity, and durability under jobsite conditions.

To be considered compliant:

• Safety glasses must meet ANSI Z87.1 criteria
• Frames and lenses must have permanent certification markings
• Protection must match the specific hazards present, such as impact, dust, or chemical exposure

When these conditions are met, safety glasses are considered OSHA-compliant, even though OSHA does not issue product approvals. 

 

ANSI Z87.1 Standards Explained

ANSI Z87.1 is the standard OSHA relies on to define how safety glasses must perform in hazardous environments, including construction sites.  

It establishes minimum performance requirements to help reduce the risk of eye injuries caused by impact, debris, and environmental exposure.

Safety glasses certified under ANSI Z87.1 are tested for:

• Impact resistance under controlled conditions
• Optical clarity to avoid distortion and eye strain
• Frame and lens durability during repeated use

Compliance is identified through permanent markings on the frame or lenses. Common markings include:

• Z87 for basic impact protection
• Z87+ for high-impact protection
• Additional markings indicating dust, splash, or radiation protection, depending on the lens design

These markings allow employers and safety managers to quickly verify whether eye protection is suitable for the specific hazards present on a jobsite. 

 

Required vs. Recommended Features for Construction Safety Glasses

Not all jobsite conditions require the same level of eye protection.  

While some features are required for compliance, others are recommended based on exposure, environment, and task frequency.

Required features

To meet OSHA and ANSI expectations, construction safety glasses must have:

• ANSI Z87.1 compliance
• Impact-resistant lenses
• Proper eye coverage and secure fit
• Permanent certification markings on frames or lenses

Without these elements, safety glasses are not considered compliant, regardless of style or material.

Recommended features

Depending on jobsite conditions, additional features can improve performance and usability:

• Anti-fog coatings for humid or temperature-changing environments
• Scratch-resistant lenses for repeated handling and extended use
• UV protection for outdoor construction work
• Tinted lenses to reduce glare in bright conditions

These features are not always required by OSHA, but they help maintain visibility, comfort, and consistent use, which reduces the risk of non-compliance during daily work. 

When Are Safety Glasses Enough — and When They Aren’t

Safety glasses are suitable for many construction tasks, but they are not appropriate for every exposure scenario.  

The type of eye protection required depends on the severity and nature of the hazard, not just general jobsite presence.

When safety glasses are sufficient

Safety glasses are typically enough when work involves:

• Low to moderate impact risks
• Dust or small flying particles
• General jobsite movement without splash or high-velocity debris

In these cases, properly rated safety glasses provide adequate protection while allowing airflow and comfort for extended wear.

When additional eye protection is required

Safety glasses alone may not be sufficient when tasks involve:

• High-volume or fine dust
• Chemical splashes or liquids
• Grinding, cutting, or high-speed debris
• Overhead work with falling material risks

In these situations, goggles or face shields may be required in addition to safety glasses to provide fuller coverage and reduce exposure from multiple angles.

Selecting the correct type of eye protection requires evaluating task-specific risks, not relying on a single solution for all construction activities. 

Prescription Safety Glasses (What OSHA Actually Allows)

OSHA allows workers with prescription eyewear to use safety glasses, provided the eye protection meets the same ANSI Z87.1 requirements as non-prescription models.  

Regular prescription glasses do not qualify unless they are specifically designed for safety use.

Under OSHA rules:

• Prescription safety glasses must have corrective lenses integrated into ANSI Z87.1-compliant frames
• Safety glasses or goggles may be worn over prescription eyewear, as long as protection and fit are not compromised
• Prescription eyewear used off the job or across multiple sites is not required to be paid for by employers

The key factor is that vision correction cannot replace impact protection.  

Eye protection must still meet performance standards regardless of whether lenses are corrective. 

Common Mistakes That Make Glasses Non-Compliant

Safety glasses can fail to meet OSHA requirements even when they appear protective.  

Non-compliance often comes from improper selection, poor condition, or incorrect use rather than from the absence of eye protection.

Common compliance issues include:

• Using glasses without ANSI Z87.1 markings
• Choosing the wrong impact rating for the task (Z87 vs. Z87+)
• Wearing glasses that are scratched, cracked, or damaged
• Poor fit that leaves gaps around the eyes
• Relying on regular prescription or sunglasses instead of safety-rated eyewear
• Using safety glasses alone in tasks that require additional protection, such as goggles or face shields

Even when safety glasses were compliant when issued, wear and tear over time can reduce protection and invalidate compliance.  

Regular inspection and replacement are essential to maintain jobsite safety standards. 

FAQs

Are safety glasses required on all construction sites?

Safety glasses are required when workers are exposed to eye injury hazards, such as flying debris, dust, chemicals, or impact risks. Not every task requires eye protection, but many common construction activities do.

 

Is ANSI Z87.1 mandatory for OSHA compliance?

Yes. OSHA requires eye protection to meet ANSI Z87.1 performance standards. Safety glasses without this certification do not meet compliance requirements.

 

Can sunglasses be used as safety glasses?

Only if they are ANSI Z87.1–certified. Regular sunglasses, even if impact-resistant, do not qualify without proper markings and testing.

 

Who pays for prescription safety glasses?

OSHA does not require employers to pay for prescription eyewear used off the job or across multiple sites. If prescription lenses are incorporated into ANSI Z87.1–compliant safety glasses, employer responsibility depends on workplace policy. 

About SONCO Safety Glasses

SONCO offers a range of construction safety glasses and eye protection products that align with OSHA and ANSI Z87.1 requirements.  

These options are designed for use across common construction environments where compliant eye protection is required.

With 50 years of experience serving safety and jobsite needs, SONCO supports employers and safety managers with fast delivery, nationwide availability, and personalized assistance to help select the right eye protection based on job conditions and timelines.

In addition to compliant safety glasses, SONCO provides access to complementary eye protection for tasks that involve higher exposure to debris or splashes, helping teams source protection efficiently without navigating multiple suppliers.