Eye Protection Rules

Science Olympiad
Eye Protection Requirements

This Policy was updated July 29, 2015 and applies to all 2019 Science Olympiad Rules in Divisions B & C. Please make a note of the classification of Categories A, B and C.

Purpose: This policy provides details regarding EYE PROTECTION in those events where an Event Rule requires Eye Protection. The objective is to choose the type of protection specific to the task.

Competitor/Coach Responsibilities: Competitors are responsible for providing their own protective eyewear. Science Olympiad is unable to determine the degree of hazard presented by equipment, materials and devices brought by the teams. Coaches must ensure the eye protection competitors bring is adequate for the hazard. All protective eyewear must bear the manufacturer's mark Z87. Teams without adequate eye protection must be given a chance to obtain eye protection if their assigned time permits. Teams must not be allowed to compete without adequate eye protection. This is non-negotiable.

Corresponding Standards: Protective eyewear used in Science Olympiad must be manufactured to meet the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standard applicable at its time of manufacture. The current standard is ANSI/ISEA Z87.1-2015. Competitors, coaches and event supervisors are not required to acquire a copy of the standard. The information in this document is sufficient to comply with current standards. Water is not a hazardous liquid and its use does not require protective eyewear unless it is under pressure or substances that create a hazard are added.

Compliant Eyewear Categories: If an event requires eye protection, the rules will identify one of these three categories - as simple as ABC:

Category A

Description: Non-impact protection. They provide basic particle protection only
Corresponding ANSI designation/required marking: Z87
Examples: Safety glasses; Safety spectacles with side shields; and Particle protection goggles (these seal tightly to the face completely around the eyes and have direct vents around the sides, consisting of several small holes or a screen that can be seen through in a straight line)
In order to meet the requirements of Category A eye protection, safety spectacles must provide basic particle protection. Examples include safety glasses, safety spectacles with side shields, and particle protection goggles.

Category C (non impact protection)

Description: Indirect vent chemical/splash protection goggles. These seal tightly to the face completely around the eyes and have indirect vents constructed so that liquids do not have a direct path into the eye (or no vents at all). If you are able to see through the vent holes from one side to the other, they are NOT indirect vents
Corresponding ANSI designation/required marking: Z87 (followed by D3 is the most modern designation but, it is not a requirement)
Example: Indirect vent chemical/splash protection goggles
To meet the requirements of Category C eye protection, safety spectacles must provide indirect vent chemical/splash protection. They must seal tightly to the face completely around the eyes. Indirect vents must be constructed in a way so that there is no direct path for foreign matter to enter the eyes.

Category B (impact protection)

Description: Impact protection. They provide protection from a high inertia particle hazard (high mass or velocity)
Corresponding ANSI designation/required marking: Z87+
Example: High impact safety goggles
In order to fulfill the criteria of Category B eye protection, safety spectacles must provide protection from high inertia particle hazard (often referred to as high impact protection). As such, they must bear the "Z87+" marking.

Examples of Non-Compliant Eye Wear:

Face shields/visors are secondary protective devices and are not approved in lieu of the primary eye protection devices below regardless of the type of vents they have.
Prescription Glasses containing safety glass should not be confused with safety spectacles. "Safety glass" indicates the glass is made to minimize shattering when it breaks. Unless these glasses bear the Z87 mark they are not approved for use.

Examples of Required Eye Protection

Category A - not approved for Science Olympiad Events

Category C - chemical splash/indirect vent goggles; if they are not rated Z87+ they cannot be used for impact use

Category B - High impact goggles rated Z87+; not for use with chemicals