Protecting Your Eyes at Work

More than 20,000 workplace eye injuries happen each year but many of these injuries could be prevented with the proper precautions.

Of course, some occupations present higher risk of injury than others.

Occupations with a high risk for eye injury include:

• Construction
• Manufacturing
• Maintenance
• Welding
• Electrical work
• Carpentry
• Auto repair
• Mining

These professions are made more dangerous due to hazards such as projectiles, chemicals and radiation.

Protecting your eyes is as simple as remembering these four tips:

• Be aware of possible dangers
• Eliminate potential hazards before works begins
• Use proper eye protection – different types of protection are needed for different hazards
  • Safety glasses with side shields are important when working around flying particles
  • If you’re working with chemicals, you should wear goggles
  • Working near lasers, fiber optics, or welding may require special purpose glasses or face shields
• Keep your safety gear in good condition

Sometimes even with all of the precautions followed an injury still occurs. Any kind of injury or trauma to the eye should be taken seriously. If you experience an eye injury, follow these first aid tips and seek medical attention in order to prevent further complications

First Aid for Eye Injuries

• Chemical Burns
  • Keep your eyes open
  • Flush eyes with water for 15-20 minutes
  • Get immediate medical care
• Foreign Object
  • Don’t rub your eyes
  • Flush your eyes with water
  • Lift the upper and lower eyelids while rolling your eye
  • Repeat previous steps until object is removed
    • If the object is embedded in your eye do not attempt to remove it, immediately seek medical attention.
  • Follow up with your doctor
• Cuts or Puncture Wounds
  • If there is an object embedded in your eye do not attempt to remove it.
  • Cover the eye with an eye shield
  • Seek immediate medical attention

The health of your eyes affects every aspect of your life but with these simple tips you can take the necessary steps to keep them safe.