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Trabajador industrial usando lentes de seguridad certificados con protección lateral en planta de manufactura
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Certified Safety Glasses: What Every Company Needs to Know

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The eyes are among the most vulnerable organs in the workplace and, paradoxically, among those that receive the least attention when selecting PPE. In Mexico, eye injuries represent a significant proportion of occupational accidents reported annually to the IMSS. Most of them are preventable with the correct use of certified safety glasses. The problem is not always the absence of eye protection. Frequently, the issue is that the glasses available at the workstation are not certified, are not appropriate for the specific risk, or simply no one verified they met any real technical standard before purchasing them. What Makes Safety Glasses Certified? A certified pair of safety glasses is one that has undergone technical laboratory testing and has demonstrated compliance with minimum parameters of resistance, visual field, and protection. It is not enough for the product to appear resistant or for the manufacturer to describe it as industrial. Certification is the objective evidence that the equipment actually protects. In Mexico, the reference standard for PPE selection and use is NOM-017-STPS-2024, in force since September 2025. This standard establishes that employers must provide PPE certified by an accredited body in accordance with the Federal Law on Metrology and Standardization. For eye protection, when no specific product NOM is currently in force, the standard accepts compliance with recognized international standards. The de facto technical reference for safety glasses in the Mexican and Latin American industry is ANSI Z87.1, issued by the American National Standards Institute. This standard classifies glasses according to their level of impact protection — basic or high impact — and establishes requirements for penetration resistance, light transmission, visual field, and mandatory markings. Glasses that comply with ANSI Z87.1 must carry the corresponding certification code engraved on both the frame and the lens. Additionally, many models available in the Mexican market carry CE certification under European standard EN 166, which establishes similar requirements and includes specific classifications for resistance to liquids, electric arc, and radiation. Both certifications are recognized and accepted by Mexican labor authorities. The Risks That Safety Glasses Must Cover Choosing the right glasses always starts with an analysis of the job position’s risks. Not all environments present the same hazards to the eyes, and glasses designed for one type of risk may be ineffective against another. Impact from particles or fragments. This is the most frequent risk in manufacturing, metalworking, carpentry, and construction. High-velocity projected particles — metal shavings, splinters, coarse dust — can cause serious injuries or vision loss. For this risk, polycarbonate lenses with ANSI Z87.1 certification are required. LICA’s LLI07 model — available in clear (LLI07C-PRO) and dark (LLI07O-PRO) versions — is a PRO polycarbonate lens with wrap-around design and lateral protection, certified under this standard. For those requiring a wider visual field, the LLI06C capataz-style model offers a panoramic polycarbonate lens without a frame, also certified ANSI Z87.1, ideal for plant supervision and work with tools that carry a high projection risk. General use in plant and industry. For positions with exposure to particles, dust, and moderate impact risk, the LICA-TRAN-I model offers a transparent lens with UV protection, black frame, and adjustable nose bridge, certified ANSI Z87.1. For those who need more frame structure, the LLI05 is available in clear and dark lenses, with a two-tone design that combines resistance and comfort during long shifts. For those who prefer a compact low-profile model, the LLI04C sergeant-style in clear lens is a practical option for everyday plant use. UV radiation and outdoor work. For personnel exposed to intense sunlight or prolonged outdoor work, dark lenses and mirrored coatings are the right choice. The LICA-NEG-I model offers a gray high-density polycarbonate lens with ANSI Z87.1 certification, designed for high-luminosity environments. For those who require UV400 protection with REVO mirrored coating, the RUNNER-SM-AZ model from the Safety Man line features a blue REVO lens with black frame and full ultraviolet radiation protection. In the women’s line, the VALQUIRIA-SG-R from Safety Girl offers a brown-pink REVO lens with UV400 protection, combining functionality and design for female workers in outdoor environments. For low-visibility environments or nighttime work, the TACTIC-SM-N with dark lens and included elastic band ensures a secure fit and UV385 protection. Welding radiation. This risk requires specialized protection beyond conventional glasses. Welding hoods and goggles use shade filters calibrated to the process and amperage. However, even under the hood, welders must wear base safety glasses as protection against sparks and slag during auxiliary operations, as established by NOM-027-STPS-2008 on welding and cutting activities. Technical Characteristics That Should Not Be Overlooked Beyond certification and risk type, certain technical attributes determine whether a pair of glasses is actually worn or ends up in the worker’s pocket. Anti-fog treatment. In environments with temperature changes or high humidity, fogging is one of the main reasons workers remove their glasses. A model without this treatment becomes an obstacle rather than protection. Several models in the LICA line incorporate this treatment from the factory to ensure continuous visibility throughout the shift. Anti-scratch coating. Polycarbonate lenses are lightweight and impact-resistant, but susceptible to surface scratches that reduce visual clarity. Over time, these scratches compromise the integrity of the visual field and justify replacing the equipment. An anti-scratch coating significantly extends the service life of the lens. Lateral protection. ANSI Z87.1 requires safety glasses to provide lateral protection, either through a wrap-around frame or additional side shields. Conventional sunglasses, even with dark lenses and UV filters, do not meet this requirement because the sides remain exposed to projections. Fit and comfort. Uncomfortable glasses are glasses that do not get worn. Adjustable temples, a flexible nose bridge, and frame weight are all factors that determine whether the worker consistently uses the equipment. NOM-017-STPS-2024 reinforces this point by establishing that PPE must fit correctly to the user’s physical characteristics. What the Standard Requires in Practice For employers, NOM-017-STPS-2024 establishes concrete obligations regarding eye protection: identifying visual risks for each position, selecting the appropriate certified glasses, documenting delivery with the worker’s signature, providing training on

vida útil calzado de seguridad
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Safety footwear lifespan: signs that many companies ignore

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There is a very common criterion for replacing safety footwear in Mexican companies: waiting until it breaks. As long as the worker can put it on and walk in it, the footwear “works.” The problem is that the safety footwear lifespan doesn’t end when the shoe is visually destroyed. It ends much earlier—when it stops fulfilling the function it was designed for, even if it looks fine on the outside. Footwear with a worn-out sole is no longer slip-resistant. A dented toe cap no longer absorbs impacts at its certified level. A boot with a cracked upper no longer protects against moisture or chemicals. In all these cases, the worker still believes they are protected. And that false sense of security is more dangerous than wearing no safety footwear at all. How long is a standard safety footwear lifespan? There is no universal expiration date. The safety footwear lifespan depends on three variables: intensity of use, environmental conditions, and material quality. A pair used eight hours a day in construction won’t last as long as one used four hours in a warehouse. As a general reference, manufacturers and European standards suggest inspecting safety footwear every six months under intensive use and replacing it when it shows any of the signs described below, regardless of the time elapsed. What Mexican regulations do establish is the obligation to manage it. NOM-017-STPS-2024 requires employers to have documented procedures for the inspection, maintenance, replacement, and final disposal of PPE, and to keep records of every delivery and replacement. “Replacing it when it breaks” does not meet this requirement. Signs indicating it is time to replace safety footwear Worn-out sole or loss of tread. The sole is the main slip-resistant element of the footwear. Its drainage channels and tread depth determine how much traction it offers on wet, oily, or uneven surfaces. When the tread flattens out—even partially—the footwear loses a significant portion of its protection against slips, which according to the IMSS (Mexican Social Security Institute) are one of the leading causes of workplace accidents in Mexico. Separation between the sole and the upper. In footwear manufactured with adhesives or stitching, this separation is one of the most common failures. It allows water, chemicals, and contaminants to enter, compromising the structural stability of the shoe. In footwear made with direct injection technology—like the ones produced by LICA—this risk is considerably reduced because the upper and sole form a single piece, but the footwear must still be inspected for any signs of separation. Deformed toe cap or visible impact. A steel or polyamide toe cap that has taken a significant hit may be internally damaged even if it looks intact on the outside. Visible deformation is a clear sign that the shock-absorbing material has already done its job and is not in a condition to withstand a second impact at the original certification level. That footwear must be retired. Cracked, split upper or open seams. Natural leather and synthetic materials degrade with exposure to heat, moisture, and chemicals. An upper with visible cracks no longer provides a barrier against external agents. In environments with chemical or biological risks, this can lead to direct exposure for the worker. Deteriorated insole or persistent bad odor. The insole accumulates moisture, bacteria, and mechanical wear through use. Its deterioration directly affects arch support, cushioning, and hygiene. A persistent odor that doesn’t go away with cleaning indicates deep contamination of the material. NOM-017-STPS-2024 specifically prohibits sharing footwear because of the biological risk this implies. Poor fit or deformation of the last. Footwear that has deformed from use no longer provides the lateral support or stability it was designed for. A worker who “floats” inside their footwear is more prone to sprains and falls than one wearing properly fitted shoes. After a high-risk incident. If the footwear was exposed to a significant chemical spill, a high-energy impact, or prolonged immersion in contaminated water, it must be removed and evaluated before being used again, even if there is no visible damage. Some damage to protective materials cannot be seen with the naked eye. What the standard requires in practice For companies, having a footwear replacement program is not just a good practice: it has been a legal obligation since NOM-017-STPS-2024 came into effect. This program must include the inspection frequency, retirement criteria, the person responsible for the inspection, and a documented record of each replacement with the worker’s signature. For distributors, understanding these cycles represents a direct opportunity. A customer who knows the actual lifespan of their footwear is a customer who buys regularly and trusts their supplier’s advice. Replacement is not just sales: it’s service. At LICA, we have the footwear you need when the old pair has completed its cycle Maintaining available inventory and guaranteeing reliable delivery times is as important as the footwear itself. At LICA, we have a complete line of safety footwear—work boots, PVC boots, safety sneakers, dielectric footwear, and women’s footwear—manufactured with direct injection technology and available for companies and distributors throughout the Mexican Republic. Because protection that is interrupted stops being protection. Do you want to establish a footwear replacement program for your company or expand your catalog as a distributor? Contact us or check out our safety footwear catalog. Sources: Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare (STPS) — NOM-017-STPS-2024 STPS — NOM-113-STPS-2009, Protective footwear IMSS — Occupational risk statistics, slip and fall accidents, 2023

Split composition showing soccer cleats on green grass next to black industrial safety boots on concrete floor
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High Performance Work Footwear: What Sport Taught Industry.

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Every four years, the world turns its eyes to a playing field. While goals, plays, and records capture attention, something works silently beneath every athlete: their footwear. Decades of research in biomechanics, materials, and ergonomics have turned high performance sports footwear into a piece of engineering as sophisticated as any advanced technology equipment. What few people know is that much of that evolution also reached industry — and permanently changed what we understand by high performance work footwear. The Starting Point: When Protection Was Not Enough For decades, industrial safety footwear had a single objective: prevent injuries. Steel toe cap, thick outsole, rigid leather upper. It worked, but at a high cost: fatigue, injuries from prolonged use, and worker rejection — many preferred taking risks over enduring eight hours in uncomfortable boots. The problem was not protection. Nobody, however, had thought about performance. Sport changed that conversation entirely. Athletic footwear manufacturers have spent over fifty years investing in understanding how the human foot moves, what forces act on it during sustained physical effort, and how intelligent design can improve performance and reduce injury simultaneously. As a result, those same principles, applied to the work environment, gave rise to the high performance safety footwear we know today. Shared Technology: What Both Worlds Have in Common Impact absorption. An elite soccer player may take more than 10,000 steps during a match. Similarly, a worker on a manufacturing or construction site covers between 8,000 and 15,000 steps per shift. In both cases, the outsole is the first line of defense against the cumulative impact on knees, hips, and the spine. Consequently, the shock-absorbing midsole technology that sports footwear popularized — layers of materials with different densities that absorb and distribute impact — is now part of the design of the best industrial safety footwear models, including the dual-density polyurethane outsoles that characterize several models in the LICA line. Ergonomics and arch support. The foot in motion is not a flat surface. It has an arch that acts as a natural shock absorber and that, without adequate support, generates plantar fatigue and repetitive strain injuries. High performance sports footwear pioneered the design of lasts that respect foot anatomy. Modern industrial footwear adopted this principle as a result: a well-designed insole not only increases comfort, it also reduces absenteeism from musculoskeletal injuries — one of the main hidden costs of workplace accidents. Lightweight and resistant materials. The steel toe cap was the standard for decades. It worked, but it was heavy. Therefore, the development of composite and thermoplastic materials in the sports world — where every gram matters — opened the door to polyamide toe caps that offer the same level of impact protection at significantly lower weight. Several LICA dielectric models, such as the 105PLUS and the 109PLUS-SP, use polyamide toe caps precisely for this reason: certified protection without the weight that generates fatigue during long shifts. Smart traction. The outsole design of a soccer cleat is calculated to maximize grip on specific surfaces without compromising mobility. In the same way, an outsole designed for wet surfaces is not the same as one designed for dry concrete, metal surfaces, or irregular terrain. The geometry of drainage channels, compound hardness, and tread depth are technical decisions that ultimately determine whether the worker slips or not. The Factor Sport Never Had to Consider: Certified Protection This is where the paths diverge. A soccer player needs performance; an industrial worker, on the other hand, needs performance and regulatory protection. Safety footwear must meet technical standards that do not exist in the sports world: impact and compression resistance in the toe cap, penetration resistance in the insole, dielectric properties, and resistance to hydrocarbons or chemicals depending on the job risk. In Mexico, NOM-113-STPS-2009 establishes these minimum requirements. Furthermore, no footwear that does not comply with this certification — however comfortable, lightweight, or technologically advanced it may appear — can be considered PPE. Certification is not a decorative seal: it is evidence that the footwear was subjected to real laboratory testing. LICA: Where Technology and Protection Are Manufactured Together At LICA, we apply European direct injection-to-upper technology to manufacture safety footwear in Guadalajara, Jalisco. This process, originally developed for the European high-performance industry, bonds upper and outsole in a single operation without seams or adhesives. As a result, the footwear is more durable, waterproof, and structurally sound than products made with traditional manufacturing methods. The outcome is footwear that does not force the worker to choose between protection and comfort. Because on the playing field or on the factory floor, performance matters as much as safety. Explore our complete line of safety footwear manufactured with European technology. Available for companies and distributors throughout Mexico. Contact us. Sources: ILO — Ergonomics and human factors at work, 2022 Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare (STPS) — NOM-113-STPS-2009 Journal of Sports Sciences — Studies on impact and plantar fatigue in athletic footwear IMSS — Musculoskeletal occupational injuries, 2023

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