Did you know that every day, nearly 2,000 Americans end up in the emergency room following a workplace eye injury? Sadly, thousands of workers will be blinded this year from eye injuries that happen on the clock. You may be surprised to learn some of the occupations where eye protection is a good idea. Let’s look at occupational eye injury facts, learn some of the most common workplace eye injuries and find out how to protect your precious vision.
Although mining, construction and manufacturing jobs cause the majority of workplace eye injuries, nearly any job includes some risk to the eyes. A chef may have hot grease splatter into their eyes, a daycare worker may get shot in the eye with a toy foam dart and an excited puppy could leave a scratch on their vet tech’s cornea.
Most workplace eye injuries are caused by the following:
Although some eye injuries are unmistakable—such as having an object embedded in the eye—other damage can be more subtle. If you notice any of these signs and symptoms—or observe them in a coworker—seek immediate medical help.
First and foremost—never attempt to treat a serious eye injury yourself. Visit your ophthalmologist or ER as soon as possible, even if the injury seems minor. It is always better to be safe than sorry when it comes to your eyes. For example, a blow that causes a slightly blackened eye might actually have been strong enough to detach your retina.
That said, there are some basic first-aid steps that can be taken immediately (or en-route to medical treatment) that can help preserve your eyesight. Follow these important eye injury Do’s and Don’ts:
DO:
DON’T:
The human eye is easily damaged and deserves protection from workplace hazards. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires employers to provide protection against injuries at work. However, these safeguards won’t help if you neglect to use the safety equipment provided by your employer.
Familiarize yourself with OSHA safety regulations for your industry. Always wear personal protective eyewear, such as safety glasses, goggles, face shields or full-face respirators when you are working in or passing through a potentially hazardous area. Note that OSHA compliant eyewear must meet eye protection standards set by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).
Pay close attention when you’re being trained to use new tools and use them properly. Make sure you know the location of an emergency eye wash station or a source of clean tap water to rinse your eyes. Learn your rights to work in a safe environment and contact OSHA if your employer fails to provide proper safety equipment and training.
Do you want to find out how risky your workplace is to your eyes? Answer a few questions on OSHA’s Eye and Face Protection eTool for personalized information about your potential workplace hazards. Learn about your employer’s responsibility in creating a safe work environment and how to select the best protective devices for your eyes.
References:
https://www.aao.org/eye-health/tips-prevention/injuries
https://www.aao.org/newsroom/observances
https://www.aao.org/eye-health/tips-prevention/injuries-work
https://www.aao.org/eye-health/tips-prevention/first-aid-eye-scratches
https://www.aao.org/eye-health/tips-prevention/tips-to-keep-perfect-vision-2020
https://www.hexarmor.com/posts/workplace-eye-injury-statistics
https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/eyefaceprotection/
https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/eye/