OSHA requires eye protection selected for the hazard, side protection where flying objects are a risk, and a fit that stays in position. 3M labels Z87+ as impact-rated; its goggles may carry D3 for splash or droplets, D4 for dust, or D5 for fine dust. Those codes describe specific products, so check the complete marking, lens, frame and work task together.
Start with the task hazard, then compare the eyewear’s markings and fit. Lens tint, a foam gasket or a Z87+ label alone does not show that a pair covers every exposure on a construction task.
Read the markings by hazard
| Mark or feature | What it tells you | What to verify |
|---|---|---|
| Z87+ | 3M identifies this as impact-rated eyewear | The full frame and lens markings, product documentation and applicable OSHA criteria |
| D3 | On 3M goggles, sealing for droplets and splash | The chemical or liquid hazard and the exact model’s instructions |
| D4 | On 3M goggles, dust sealing | Whether the model is the type specified for the dust exposure |
| D5 | On 3M goggles, fine-dust sealing | Exact product rating and task-specific hazard controls |
| Lens color or filter | Changes visible-light transmission or applies to a specified radiation task | The filter and shade required for the work; color alone does not establish impact or splash protection |
The D3, D4 and D5 designations appear in 3M’s protective eyewear catalog under protective goggles. The same catalog says its goggles are designed to seal to the face and may carry splash, dust or fine-dust ratings. A foam gasket on some spectacles can limit debris but is not as close-fitting as a goggle.
Match shape and fit to the work
OSHA’s construction eye-protection rule calls for appropriate protection against the actual hazard. It requires side protection where flying objects present a hazard and specifies that prescription wearers use either protection incorporating their prescription or eyewear that fits over their prescription lenses without disturbing either pair’s position. For potentially injurious light radiation, follow the filter and shade guidance in the rule rather than choosing a tint by appearance.
The employer must select PPE that properly fits each affected worker. Check whether the eyewear stays in its intended position with the hard hat, respirator, face shield or hearing protection worn for the job. Check nose and temple contact, visibility and whether any approved side shield or goggle seal stays in place during normal work movement.
OSHA’s current construction text lists ANSI/ISEA Z87.1-2010, ANSI Z87.1-2003 and ANSI Z87.1-1989 (R-1998); it also permits devices the employer demonstrates are at least as effective as those standards. The OSHA standard and the employer’s hazard assessment govern selection. The product’s ANSI edition and complete markings matter, especially when a catalog or seller uses a newer-edition claim.
For airborne silica hazards, see respirators and OSHA Table 1. For head protection, compare hard hat types and classes. Browse PPE and safety.
Sources
Common questions
What does Z87+ mean on safety glasses?
3M's eye protection catalog uses Z87+ for impact-rated eyewear. Check the product's full mark and ANSI edition, then follow the employer's hazard assessment and approved PPE requirements.
Do safety glasses need side shields?
OSHA requires eye protection with side protection when flying-object hazards are present. Integrated side shields or compliant detachable shields may meet that requirement.
What do D3, D4 and D5 mean on goggles?
In 3M's catalog, D3 is splash or droplet sealing, D4 is dust, and D5 is fine dust. These are specific goggle options, not a property of every Z87+ pair of glasses.
Which ANSI Z87.1 edition should I buy?
OSHA's construction eye-protection standard lists Z87.1-2010, Z87.1-2003 and Z87.1-1989 (R-1998), and provides an equivalent-protection route. Ask the employer's safety lead to confirm a product's compliance for the job.