Workplace Eye Safety

According to a Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) study of 1,052 eye injuries. three out of five workers injured were not wearing eye protection. In a majority of cases. the object striking the eye was less than half a millimeter in diameter, or smaller than a pinhead.

The BLS data revealed some interesting conclusions. Most people incur eye injuries because they are wearing absolutely nothing to protect their eyes. Most of those who were wearing eye protection, were not wearing the appropriate protection best suited to the task at hand. In fact, a study of 500 eye injuries determined more than 200 of the injuries could have been avoided if the worker had selected the correct type of eye protection. The study also reported 70 percent of these
injuries were caused by flying or falling objects. or from sparks striking the eye.

Safety glasses with side shields are the preferred method of preventing contact injuries from solid flying particles. In some cases, more protection may be necessary.
Chipping and grinding operations customarily require goggles or a face shield , and safety glasses with side shields.

Conduct a thorough analysis of operations and review previous incidents to determine possible eye injury exposures. Make eye protection easy to use, and establish a zero-tolerance rule regarding the use of eye protection.  Never be satisfied with your current level of protection. Constantly monitor operations to identify necessary changes.