02 May Eyesight – Why Take A Chance?

Eyesight – Why Take A Chance?

Your eyesight is irreplaceable, yet eye injuries continue to occur because workers fail to wear appropriate eye protection or use protection that is not suitable for the hazard. A small particle, splash, spark, or fragment can cause a serious injury in an instant.

Many workplace eye injuries involve flying or falling objects, particles, chemicals, or other materials striking or entering the eye. Grinding, cutting, drilling, chipping, welding, handling chemicals, and working around airborne debris are just a few activities that can expose workers to these hazards.

The good news is that many eye injuries can be prevented by recognizing the hazard and wearing the correct protection every time.

Guide for Discussion

Wear the Proper Eye Protection

Eye protection should be selected based on the hazards associated with the task. Depending on the work, protection may include:

• Safety glasses with side protection for flying particles and general impact hazards.
• Goggles where protection from dust, chemical splashes, or other hazards requires a closer seal around the eyes.
• Face shields for operations involving significant flying debris, sparks, molten material, or chemical splash hazards.
• Properly shaded welding helmets or goggles for welding, cutting, and other operations involving harmful optical radiation.

A face shield generally provides secondary protection and should be worn with appropriate safety glasses or goggles when an eye hazard exists.

Make Sure It Fits and Works

Protective eyewear can only do its job when it is appropriate for the hazard and worn correctly.

• Make sure eye and face protection fits properly and does not interfere with your ability to work safely.
• Inspect protective eyewear before use.
• Keep lenses clean so vision is not obstructed.
• Replace eyewear that is cracked, badly scratched, damaged, or otherwise unable to provide adequate protection.
• Store eye protection properly when it is not being used.
• Wear required protection for the entire time you are exposed to the hazard—not just during the part of the job you consider most dangerous.

Don’t Substitute Regular Eyewear

Ordinary prescription glasses and sunglasses are not substitutes for required safety eyewear unless they are specifically designed and rated for the workplace hazard.

Employees who wear prescription lenses should use approved prescription safety eyewear or appropriate protective eyewear designed to fit over their prescription glasses.

Don’t Take the “Quick Job” Chance

Eye injuries often occur during tasks that employees have performed many times before. Removing your safety glasses because a task will “only take a minute” leaves your eyes unprotected during exactly that minute.

The same applies to nearby employees. Flying particles, sparks, and debris do not necessarily remain within the immediate work area. Be aware of surrounding operations and wear eye protection whenever exposure is possible.

If an Eye Injury Occurs

Report eye injuries immediately and obtain appropriate medical attention. Do not rub an injured eye or attempt to remove an embedded object. Where corrosive or irritating substances contact the eyes, immediately use the provided emergency eyewash and follow the site’s emergency procedures.

Remember

Your employer can provide appropriate protective equipment, training, and safe work procedures, but eye protection cannot protect you if you are not wearing it. Before beginning a task, identify the hazard and make sure you have the correct protection in place.

Your eyesight is worth protecting. Don’t take a chance with it.