Eye injuries in the workplace are actually a lot more common than you may realise. According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health (NIOSH), every day around 2000 workers sustain job-related eye injuries that require medical treatment. Having the right eye protection can prevent a huge 90% of these injuries.
The most common types of eye injury in the workplace are from chemicals or foreign objects in the eye which can lead to scratches on the cornea. Other injuries can be caused by fluids splashed in the eye, steam burns and exposure to UV or infrared radiation.
People who work in the healthcare industry are also likely to be exposed to the transmission of infectious diseases through the mucous membranes of the eye. That is why it is important to wear face shields or protective safety eyewear within the medical profession.
What are the potential eye hazards at work?
The Health & Safety Executive (HSE) requires workers to use face and eye protection whenever there is a probability that injury can be prevented by wearing such equipment. Workplace eye protection should always be worn when the following potential hazards to the eye are present:
- Projectiles – including dust, concrete, metal, wood and other particles
- Chemicals – splashes and fumes
- Radiation – visible light, UV radiation, heat/infrared radiation and lasers
- Bloodborne pathogens – either hepatitis or HIV from blood and bodily fluids
With more of us working from home at the moment, another eye injury to think about preventing is Computer Vision Syndrome (also known as digital eye strain). These are a collective group of eye and vision-related problems caused by prolonged use of computers, tablets, e-readers and mobile phones.
How do I protect my eyes from injury?
There are four main things you can do in order to protect your eyes from injury:
- Understand and be aware of the eye safety dangers in your workplace
- Eliminate any hazards before you start work by using work screens, machine guards etc.
- Use proper eye protection which meets the relevant standards
- Keep your safety eyewear in good condition and replace it if it becomes damaged
When it comes to protecting your eyes from digital eye strain, the main action that you can take is planning in regular breaks. The 20-20-20 rule is the best way to implement this. Every 20 minutes, look at an object at least 20 feet away, for at least 20 seconds. Just by focusing on something other than a screen you will be giving your eyes a rest.
In order to identify which type of protective eyewear is needed for each activity within the workplace, a hazard assessment should be carried out to begin with. Here are some of the main types of eye protection that are commonly used within the workplace:
Safety glasses
Safety glasses can often look like normal glasses, particularly as there are so many different models and sports versions. However, they provide significantly better eye protection and both the lens and the frames are much stronger.
They provide eye protection for general working conditions where there may be flying particles in the environment, and can also protect against UV, glare and welding-related hazards. Safety lenses are available in plastic and polycarbonate, but polycarbonate lenses provide the highest level of protection from impact.
Safety goggles
Safety goggles provide protection from impact and dust, but more importantly, they can protect against chemical splash too. As well as being highly impact-resistant, the right goggle will provide a secure shield around the eye and protect the eye from liquid or gaseous hazards seeping in.
Face shields & special protection
Face shields are mainly used to protect workers from chemical splashes, heat or blood-borne pathogens. These are often combined with helmets in the workplace, particularly when dealing with molten materials and welding. They will typically provide the highest level of protection – far more than just protecting your eyes.
We hope this blog has been a useful guide into how to protect your vision at work. Please feel free to check out our safety eyewear range, and if you have any specific questions our team will be more than happy to help. Call us on 01472 867 467 or email [email protected].