According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, 2,000 workers sustain job-related injuries daily making eye injuries one of the leading hazards at the workplace. Don’t let that number scare you, with the proper personal protective equipment and safety procedure implementation the likelihood of eye injury can be reduced substantially. Below are some safety tips to help create a safer workplace:
- Be aware of eye injury hazards
Falling objects such as bits of metal or glass may cause cuts or scrapes in the cornea. Another common eye injuries come from splashes with grease and oil, burns from steam, ultraviolet or infrared radiation exposure and flying wood or metal chips. Health care workers, laboratory, janitorial staff, and other workers may be at risk of acquiring infectious diseases from eye exposure which can be transmitted through direct exposure to blood splashes, respiratory droplets generated during coughing or from touching eyes with contaminated fingers or objects. It’s important to assess the workplace and determine specific potential hazards for your industry.
- Wear safety eye protection
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) require workers to use eye and face protection whenever there is a reasonable probability of injury that could be prevented by such equipment. Workers should wear eye protection that corresponds to the hazards in their workplace. Safety glasses with side protection are recommended if working in an area that has particles, flying objects or dust. If you are working with chemicals, goggles are fitting. Anyone working near hazard radiation like welding, lasers or fiber optics must use special-purpose safety glasses, goggles, face shields or helmets designed for that task.
- Be prepared for an emergency
Knowing what to do in case of an eye injury can prevent serious damage while medical assistance is obtained. Each eye injury has first aid procedures to ensure prevention of pain in the eye, blurred vision, or loss of any vision. For instance, first aid for chemicals in the eye requires flushing eyes with water for at least 15 minutes while not washing out the eye is recommended for cuts and punctures. Training workers about eye safety related to their potential eye injury may reduce the risk of permanent injury.
Some industries may not be able to entirely illuminate eye injury hazards, but providing workers with the proper training and equipment can reduce the probability of injury drastically. Being aware, protected and prepared at all times may save workers from experiencing loss of vision, pain in the eye and blurred vision.
At Nova Medical Centers, we solely focus on occupational health. We pride ourselves in delivering exceptional services and helping our clients prioritize their health and safety needs. Ensuring our clients are informed about OSHA regulations is one of our top priorities. Contact us for more information about any of our services. Our skilled and friendly staff members are ready to meet all your occupational health needs.
Written by Nayda Sanchez
