Your Guide To Eye Safety In The Workplace And Beyond
Under the OSHA Act, the responsibility for providing a safe workplace falls on employers. This responsibility starts with the employer knowing the risks present in the environment via hazard assessments and doing everything possible to prevent injury at the source. Within that, OSHA requires employers to provide workers with suitable eye protection and enforce proper standards of use.
Common Workplace Eye Injuries
Common eye injuries occurring at work can result from being exposed to chemical or foreign objects in the eye and cuts or scrapes on the cornea. Other causes of injuries include splashes with grease and oil, burns from steam, ultraviolet or infrared radiation exposure, and flying wood or metal debris.
In addition, healthcare workers, laboratory and janitorial staff, and other types of workers may be at risk of acquiring infectious diseases from eye exposure. Some infectious diseases can be transmitted through the mucous membranes of the eye as a result of direct exposure to blood splashes, saliva droplets from coughing, or from touching the eyes with contaminated fingers or other objects.
Wearing the correct eye protection for the job is essential for your safety and health.
Workplace Eye Safety Recommendations
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires the use of eye and face protection whenever there is a reasonable probability of injury that could be prevented on the job and equipment used.
The eye protection chosen for specific work depends on the type of hazard, the circumstances of exposure, other protective equipment used, and individual vision needs. But whenever there is a hazard present that could cause an injury, the following types of personal protective eyewear may apply:
- Goggles
- Face Shields
- Safety Glasses
- Full Face Respirators
The eyewear used should be in good condition, impairing neither your direct nor peripheral vision, and fit securely and comfortably to your head. Additionally, when removing your protective eyewear, make sure to carefully remove debris from the area, wash your hands before touching the eye area, and thoroughly clean the protective equipment between uses.
What To Do In The Event Of An Injury
While protecting your eyes from injury in the first place is critical, accidents do occur despite even the best precautions. If an eye injury occurs on the job, there are specific actions you should and should not take, including:
- Do not rub or apply any pressure to your eyes.
- If an object has pierced the eye, leave it in place.
- If you can place a patch to further protect or immobilize the eye without breaking the two rules above, do so.
- If swelling occurs, ice or a cold compress may be gently applied to the area.
- Use the nearest available eyewash station to flush dust or fluid contaminants. If no eyewash station is available, use clean water, but take care to avoid contaminating both eyes if only one is affected.
- Do not try to treat your eyes with ointments or drops before you consult your doctor.
When an injury occurs, do not hesitate to seek immediate medical attention. Waiting til the next day can make injuries worse and risk further complications, including blindness in extreme cases. Contact the nearest eye trauma center or available emergency department.
Additional Eye Care Considerations
While we have focused primarily on the prevention of single-incident injuries that can result from working in the trades, manufacturing, or healthcare settings, these are not the only jobs that can endanger your eyesight over time.
For a significant portion of the population, our jobs require a large amount of time spent looking at digital screens. While you don’t have the risk of foreign objects or blunt trauma injuries, this does impact vision through eye strain.
If you spend a significant amount of time around computers, we recommend breaking up the time into smaller sections and taking breaks. The 20-20-20 rule is good to go by. Every 20 minutes, take 20 seconds to focus on an object at least 20 feet away. If you find yourself with significant eye strain, look into glare-reducing glasses or work to balance the lighting in your workspace.
And if your job has you driving or outdoors for significant chunks of time, don’t neglect to wear sunglasses consistently. UV radiation can raise the risk of eye diseases, especially cataracts and macular degeneration. Extremely bright lights, in general, like direct sunlight, can slowly damage the retina and optic nerves.
Asheville Vision And Wellness
Accidents usually happen when least expected, so always think of safety first. Consistently wearing safety eyewear and practicing good safety habits will significantly reduce your chances of an eye injury. When it comes to your eye health and vision, you never want to delay seeking medical attention if you have been injured.
If you have experienced any kind of eye injury, whether it is from fireworks, work, sports, or just daily life, after you have sought emergency medical care, you should always follow up with your optometrist.
For help or questions regarding eye protection, do not hesitate to contact Asheville Vision and Wellness. Our staff is always happy to assist you with all of your eye care needs. Give us a call or book an appointment today.