CSA Z94.3-2026

Eye and face protectors

Preface This is the tenth edition of CSA Z94.3, Eye and face protectors . It supersedes the previous editions published in 2020, 2015, 2007, 2002, 1999, 1992, 1988, 1982, and 1969. This Standard applies to eye and face protectors used in all general occupational and educational operations or processes, and in facilities involving hazards or contaminants to the eyes or face. It does not cover factors of design such as comfort, service life, or appearance. The following are the major changes to this edition: a) exclusion of certain hazards such as bioaerosols, biohazards, and X-rays (see Clause 1.2); b) exclusion of laser eye protectors from scope (see Clause 1.2); c) addition of a new class for spectacles with impact and splash protection (see Clause 5.2); d) addition of filter windows in housing for welding filters (see Clause 6.5.2.5); e) addition of permanence of filter windows in housing for welding filters (see Clause 6.5.3.3); f) addition of minimum coverage requirements for Class 5 or Class 7 protectors (see Clause 6.8); g) addition of optional requirements for splash protection (see Clause 6.10); h) addition of specific impact points for Class 6 protectors (see Clause 12.2.2.2.3); i) addition of tests for mesh protectors (see Clauses 12.16and 12.17); j) addition of test methods for splash protection (see Clause 12.18); k) updated information on Hi-vex (see Table 5); l) addition of requirements for mesh protectors (see Clause 17); m) addition of a figure showing impact test points for Class 6 protectors (see Figure 4); and n) addition of a figure showing the setup for the splash test for Class 6 protectors (see Figure 11). This Standard was developed by CSA Group with funding support provided by the Canadian Association of Administrators of Labour Law — Occupational Safety and Health (CAALL-OSH), including provincial and territorial governments, as well as the Government of Canada. CSA Group is solely responsible for the content of this Standard, and CSA Group and the funding bodies disclaim any liability in connection with the use of the information contained herein. This Standard is considered suitable for use for conformity assessment within the stated scope of the Standard. This Standard was prepared by the Technical Committee on Eye and Face Protection, under the jurisdiction of the Strategic Steering Committee on Occupational Health and Safety, and has been formally approved by the Technical Committee. This Standard has been developed in compliance with Standards Council of Canada requirements for National Standards of Canada. It has been published as a National Standard of Canada by CSA Group. Scope 1.1 Inclusions This Standard applies to eye and face protectors used in all general occupational and educational operations or processes, and in facilities involving hazards or contaminants to the eyes or face. Notes: 1) Typical hazards include flying objects and particles, splashing liquids, molten metal, and ultraviolet, visible, and infrared radiation, but do not include X-rays, gamma rays, high-energy particulate radiation, radioactive materials, lasers, or masers. For guidance, refer to CSA Z94.3.1. 2) The conformance of protectors with these requirements does not imply equality of performance, nor should it be interpreted to mean that protectors are capable of affording greater protection than is specified in this Standard. 1.2 Exclusions This Standard does not apply to certain hazards such as bioaerosols, biohazards, X-rays, gamma rays, high-energy particulate radiation, radioactive materials, lasers, or masers, or to factors of design such as a) comfort; b) service life; or c) appearance. This Standard does not apply to laser protective eyewear. Notes: 1) Refer to CSA Z94.4, Clause 7.3.4.3, for protection against infectious bioaerosols. 2) For information on laser protective eyewear, see ANSI Z136.1 and other standards in the ANSI Z136 series. 1.3 Terminology In this Standard, "shall" is used to express a requirement, i.e., a provision that the user is obliged to satisfy in order to comply with the Standard; "should" is used to express a recommendation or that which is advised but not required; and "may" is used to express an option or that which is permissible within the limits of the Standard. Notes accompanying clauses do not include requirements or alternative requirements; the purpose of a note accompanying a clause is to separate from the text explanatory or informative material. Notes to tables and figures are considered part of the table or figure and may be written as requirements. Annexes are designated normative (mandatory) or informative (non-mandatory) to define their application. 1.4 Units of measurement The values given in SI units are the units of record for the purposes of this Standard. The values given in parentheses are for information and comparison only.