Eye Safety: The Most Ordinary Things Can Cause the Most Extraordinary Eye Injuries
Thousands of people are blinded each year from work-related eye injuries that could have been prevented with the proper selection and use of eye and face protection. Eye injuries alone cost more than $300 million per year in lost production time, medical expenses, and worker compensation.
Personal protective equipment (PPE) for the eyes and face is designed to prevent or lessen the severity of injuries to workers. The employer must assess the workplace and determine if hazards that necessitate the use of eye and face protection are present or are likely to be present before assigning PPE to workers.
Heat injuries may occur to the eye and face when workers are exposed to high temperatures, splashes of molten metal, or hot sparks. Protect your eyes from heat when workplace activities pose a potential threat. Burns to eye and face tissue are the main concern when working with heat hazards. As a firefighter you have been issued your own personal protective gear. Be sure to do regular safety checks on your equipment to avoid the risk of injury. Visually inspect your straps, gaps and shields.
Prevention is the first and most important step in avoiding serious eye injuries, so be sure to protect your eyes with appropriate protective eyewear on the job and at home
Tips to Prevent Eye Injuries
In the house: when using household chemicals, read instructions and labels carefully, work in a well-ventilated area, and make sure to point spray nozzles away from you. Many chemicals are extremely hazardous and can permanently destroy the surface of your eyes, resulting in blindness.
In the workshop: think about the work you will be doing and wear protective eyewear to shield your eyes from flying fragments, fumes, dust particles, sparks, ultraviolet and infrared radiation, and splashing chemicals. Many objects or substances can fly into your eyes unexpectedly and cause injury.
In the garden: put on protective eyewear before you use a lawn mower, power trimmer or edger and be sure to check for rocks and stones as they can become dangerous projectiles if picked up in these machines. Don't forget the risk to bystanders (including children and pets) when using these machines.
In the workplace: wear appropriate safety eyewear for your job. Many who suffer eye injuries each day don't think that they need eye protection so they don't have appropriate eyewear for the job.
Around the car: battery acid, sparks and debris from damaged or improperly jumpstarted auto batteries can severely damage your eyes. Keep protective goggles in the trunk of your car to use for those emergencies as well as everyday repairs.
Prevention is the first and most important step in protecting your eyes from injuries, so be sure to protect your eyes with appropriate protective eyewear. If you do experience an eye injury, seek medical attention promptly.
Resources: OSHA, CDC,WHO, MDH
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