- Standard Number:
OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards and regulations. Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. This letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation of the requirements discussed. Note that our enforcement guidance may be affected by changes to OSHA rules. Also, from time to time we update our guidance in response to new information. To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA's website at https://www.osha.gov.
OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards and regulations. Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. This letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation of the requirements discussed. Note that our enforcement guidance may be affected by changes to OSHA rules. Also, from time to time we update our guidance in response to new information. To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA's website at http://www.osha.gov. |
May 2, 1988
Mr. Vince J. Fesi, Jr.
National Accounts Manager
Gentex Corporation
P.O. Box 315
Carbondale, Pennsylvania 18407
Dear Mr. Fesi:
This is in response to your letter of February 2, 1988, requesting consideration of your integral one piece lense product as meeting the intent of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Eye and Face Protection standards. The product will be marketed by the American Allsafe Company, 99 Wales Avenue, Tonawanda, New York 14151, under the name "UNISPEC," in clear, dark green, grey, and amber tints.
OSHA's standards at [29 CFR 1910.133(b)(2)] provide that ["Eye and face protective devices purchased before July 5, 1994 shall comply with the ANSI 'USA standard for Occupational and Educational Eye and Face Protection,' Z87.1-1968, which is incorporated by reference as specified in Sec. 1910.6, or shall be demonstrated by the employer to be equally effective."] The referenced ANSI standard, however, states in paragraph 2 that "Variations from the requirements of this standard may be granted by the authority having jurisdiction only when it is demonstrated to the satisfaction of the administrative agency that equivalent protection is afforded."
On the basis of the information which you have presented to us, OSHA has determined that the "UNISPEC," in clear, dark green, grey, and amber tints, does provide protection equivalent to that provided by eye protection which meets all the requirements of ANSI Z87.1-1968. Therefore, OSHA would consider employers using this product to be in compliance with [29 CFR 1910.133(b)(2)] and such employers would not be cited, if this equipment was being used and maintained properly. It is extremely important, however, that the safety spectacle continue to be permanently marked "UNISPEC," since this allows employers, employees and our compliance personnel to distinguish it from other types of protective eyewear. In addition, any appropriate warnings and/or instructions relative to usage, especially for the tinted lenses, must be made available on the packaging box and with the instructions supplied with the product, and must be such that they will reach the end user (the worker). Otherwise employees could mistakenly use eyewear providing insufficient protection.
If we may be of any further assistance, please let us know.
Sincerely,
Thomas J. Shepich, Director
[Directorate of Enforcement Programs]
May 2, 1988
Mr. Vince J. Fesi, Jr.
National Accounts Manager
Gentex Corporation
P.O. Box 315
Carbondale, Pennsylvania 18407
Dear Mr. Fesi:
This is in response to your letter of February 2, 1988, requesting consideration of your integral one piece lense product as meeting the intent of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Eye and Face Protection standards. The product will be marketed by the H. L. Bouton Company, P.O. Box G, Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts 02532, under the name "BOUTON 7800," in clear, dark green, grey, and amber tints.
OSHA's standards at [29 CFR 1910.133(b)(2)] provide that ["Eye and face protective devices purchased before July 5, 1994 shall comply with the ANSI 'USA standard for Occupational and Educational Eye and Face Protection,' Z87.1-1968, which is incorporated by reference as specified in Sec. 1910.6, or shall be demonstrated by the employer to be equally effective."] The referenced ANSI standard, however, states in paragraph 2 that "Variations from the requirements of this standard may be granted by the authority having jurisdiction only when it is demonstrated to the satisfaction of the administrative agency that equivalent protection is afforded."
On the basis of the information which you have presented to us, OSHA has determined that the "BOUTON 7800," in clear, dark green, grey, and amber tints, does provide protection equivalent to that provided by eye protection which meets all the requirements of ANSI Z87.1-1968. Therefore, OSHA would consider employers using this product to be in compliance with [29 CFR 1910.133(b)(2)] and such employers would not be cited, if this equipment was being used and maintained properly. It is extremely important, however, that the safety spectacle continue to be permanently marked "BOUTON 7800," since this allows employers, employees and our compliance personnel to distinguish it from other types of protective eyewear. In addition, any appropriate warnings and/or instructions relative to usage, especially for the tinted lenses, must be made available on the packaging box and with the instructions supplied with the product, and must be such that they will reach the end user (the worker). Otherwise employees could mistakenly use eyewear providing insufficient protection.
If we may be of any further assistance, please let us know.
Sincerely,
Thomas J. Shepich, Director
[Directorate of Enforcement Programs]
May 2, 1988
Mr. Vince J. Fesi, Jr.
National Accounts Manager
Gentex Corporation
P.O. Box 315
Carbondale, Pennsylvania 18407
Dear Mr. Fesi:
This is in response to your letter of February 2, 1988, requesting consideration of your integral one piece lense product as meeting the intent of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Eye and Face Protection standards. The product will be marketed by the Clear-View, Inc., 5653 Shelby Drive, Memphis, Tennessee 38115, under the name "VISION-master," in clear, dark green, grey, and amber tints.
OSHA's standards at [29 CFR 1910.133(b)(2)] provide that["Eye and face protective devices purchased before July 5, 1994 shall comply with the ANSI 'USA standard for Occupational and Educational Eye and Face Protection,' Z87.1-1968, which is incorporated by reference as specified in Sec. 1910.6, or shall be demonstrated by the employer to be equally effective."] The referenced ANSI standard, however, states in paragraph 2 that "Variations from the requirements of this standard may be granted by the authority having jurisdiction only when it is demonstrated to the satisfaction of the administrative agency that equivalent protection is afforded."
On the basis of the information which you have presented to us, OSHA has determined that the "VISION-master," in clear, dark green, grey, and amber tints, does provide protection equivalent to that provided by eye protection which meets all the requirements of ANSI Z87.1-1968. Therefore, OSHA would consider employers using this product to be in compliance with [29 CFR 1910.133(b)(2)] and such employers would not be cited, if this equipment was being used and maintained properly. It is extremely important, however, that the safety spectacle continue to be permanently marked "VISION-master," since this allows employers, employees and our compliance personnel to distinguish it from other types of protective eyewear. In addition, any appropriate warnings and/or instructions relative to usage, especially for the tinted lenses, must be made available on the packaging box and with the instructions supplied with the product, and must be such that they will reach the end user (the worker). Otherwise employees could mistakenly use eyewear providing insufficient protection.
If we may be of any further assistance, please let us know.
Sincerely,
Thomas J. Shepich, Director
[Directorate of Enforcement Programs]
May 2, 1988
Mr. Vince J. Fesi, Jr.
National Accounts Manager
Gentex Corporation
P.O. Box 315
Carbondale, Pennsylvania 18407
Dear Mr. Fesi:
This is in response to your letter of February 2, 1988, requesting consideration of your integral one piece lense product as meeting the intent of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Eye and Face Protection standards. The product will be marketed by the eastern Safety Equipment, 59-20 56th Avenue, Maspeth, Queens, New York 11378, under the name "GOLD STAR," in clear, dark green, grey, and amber tints.
OSHA's standards at [29 CFR 1910.133(b)(2)] provide that ["Eye and face protective devices purchased before July 5, 1994 shall comply with the ANSI 'USA standard for Occupational and Educational Eye and Face Protection,' Z87.1-1968, which is incorporated by reference as specified in Sec. 1910.6, or shall be demonstrated by the employer to be equally effective."] The referenced ANSI standard, however, states in paragraph 2 that "Variations from the requirements of this standard may be granted by the authority having jurisdiction only when it is demonstrated to the satisfaction of the administrative agency that equivalent protection is afforded."
On the basis of the information which you have presented to us, OSHA has determined that the "GOLD STAR," in clear, dark green, grey, and amber tints, does provide protection equivalent to that provided by eye protection which meets all the requirements of ANSI Z87.1-1968. Therefore, OSHA would consider employers using this product to be in compliance with [29 CFR 1910.133(b)(2)] and such employers would not be cited, if this equipment was being used and maintained properly. It is extremely important, however, that the safety spectacle continue to be permanently marked "GOLD STAR," since this allows employers, employees and our compliance personnel to distinguish it from other types of protective eyewear. In addition, any appropriate warnings and/or instructions relative to usage, especially for the tinted lenses, must be made available on the packaging box and with the instructions supplied with the product, and must be such that they will reach the end user (the worker). Otherwise employees could mistakenly use eyewear providing insufficient protection.
If we may be of any further assistance, please let us know.
Sincerely,
Thomas J. Shepich, Director
[Directorate of Enforcement Programs]
May 2, 1988
Mr. Vince J. Fesi, Jr.
National Accounts Manager
Gentex Corporation
P.O. Box 315
Carbondale, Pennsylvania 18407
Dear Mr. Fesi:
This is in response to your letter of February 2, 1988, requesting consideration of your integral one piece lense product as meeting the intent of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Eye and Face Protection standards. The product will be marketed by the Hudson Optical, 50 Keyland Court, Bohemia, New York 11716 , under the name "DESIGN GARD 1800," in clear, dark green, grey, and amber tints.
OSHA's standards at [29 CFR 1910.133(b)(2)] provide that ["Eye and face protective devices purchased before July 5, 1994 shall comply with the ANSI 'USA standard for Occupational and Educational Eye and Face Protection,' Z87.1-1968, which is incorporated by reference as specified in Sec. 1910.6, or shall be demonstrated by the employer to be equally effective."] The referenced ANSI standard, however, states in paragraph 2 that "Variations from the requirements of this standard may be granted by the authority having jurisdiction only when it is demonstrated to the satisfaction of the administrative agency that equivalent protection is afforded."
On the basis of the information which you have presented to us, OSHA has determined that the "DESIGN GARD 1800," in clear, dark green, grey, and amber tints, does provide protection equivalent to that provided by eye protection which meets all the requirements of ANSI Z87.1-1968. Therefore, OSHA would consider employers using this product to be in compliance with [29 CFR 1910.133(b)(2)] and such employers would not be cited, if this equipment was being used and maintained properly. It is extremely important, however, that the safety spectacle continue to be permanently marked "DESIGN GARD 1800," since this allows employers, employees and our compliance personnel to distinguish it from other types of protective eyewear. In addition, any appropriate warnings and/or instructions relative to usage, especially for the tinted lenses, must be made available on the packaging box and with the instructions supplied with the product, and must be such that they will reach the end user (the worker). Otherwise employees could mistakenly use eyewear providing insufficient protection.
If we may be of any further assistance, please let us know.
Sincerely,
Thomas J. Shepich, Director
[Directorate of Enforcement Programs]
May 2, 1988
Mr. Vince J. Fesi, Jr.
National Accounts Manager
Gentex Corporation
P.O. Box 315
Carbondale, Pennsylvania 18407
Dear Mr. Fesi:
This is in response to your letter of February 2, 1988, requesting consideration of your integral one piece lense product as meeting the intent of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Eye and Face Protection standards. The product will be marketed by the Gateway Safety Products, 4722 Spring Road, Brooklyn Heights, Ohio 44144, under the name "BROAD-VUE," in clear, dark green, grey, and amber tints.
OSHA's standards at [29 CFR 1910.133(b)(2)] provide that ["Eye and face protective devices purchased before July 5, 1994 shall comply with the ANSI 'USA standard for Occupational and Educational Eye and Face Protection,' Z87.1-1968, which is incorporated by reference as specified in Sec. 1910.6, or shall be demonstrated by the employer to be equally effective."] The referenced ANSI standard, however, states in paragraph 2 that "Variations from the requirements of this standard may be granted by the authority having jurisdiction only when it is demonstrated to the satisfaction of the administrative agency that equivalent protection is afforded."
On the basis of the information which you have presented to us, OSHA has determined that the "BROAD-VUE," in clear, dark green, grey, and amber tints, does provide protection equivalent to that provided by eye protection which meets all the requirements of ANSI Z87.1-1968. Therefore, OSHA would consider employers using this product to be in compliance with [29 CFR 1910.133(b)(2)] and such employers would not be cited, if this equipment was being used and maintained properly. It is extremely important, however, that the safety spectacle continue to be permanently marked "BROAD-VUE," since this allows employers, employees and our compliance personnel to distinguish it from other types of protective eyewear. In addition, any appropriate warnings and/or instructions relative to usage, especially for the tinted lenses, must be made available on the packaging box and with the instructions supplied with the product, and must be such that they will reach the end user (the worker). Otherwise employees could mistakenly use eyewear providing insufficient protection.
If we may be of any further assistance, please let us know.
Sincerely,
Thomas J. Shepich, Director
[Directorate of Enforcement Programs]
[Corrected 05/28/2004]