Eye Safety on the Job

EYE SAFETY ON THE JOB Be safe with glasses, goggles, face shields, and helmets = 100 workers Every day, roughly 2,000 U.S. workers have a job-related Eye injuries account for nearly 45% of all head injuries that lead to missed work days. eye injury that requires medical treatment. About 1/3 of the injuries are treated in hospital emergency departments and more than 100 of these injuries result in one or more days of lost work. Most of these injuries occur when small particles or objects strike or abrade the eye. These objects include: Metal Wood Dust Cement Nails Staples slivers chips chips Chemical burns from industrial Radiation-especially from visible light, chemicals or cleaning products ultraviolet radiation, heat or infrared are also common. radiation, and lasers-are another potential workplace eye hazard. Men between 25 and 44 years Wearing the proper eye protection on the job could prevent thousands of eye injuries every year. old make up 80% of all workplace eye injury victims. Because of exposure, specific workers are at an increased risk of acquiring infectious eye diseases. Health care workers Laboratory staff Janitorial workers Animal handlers ALWAYS WEAR EFFECTIVE EYE PROTECTION Of the injuries sustained by workers wearing eye protection, 94% resulted from objects or chemicals Nearly 3 out of every 5 workers injured were not wearing eye protection at the time of an accident. going around or under the protector. An estimated 90% of eye injuries can be prevented through the use of proper protective eyewear. Workplace eye protection includes: Non-prescription and prescription safety glasses: • Safety glasses must meet American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standards. Look for the Z87 mark on the lens or frame. • Additional side protection can be provided by side shields. • Available in glass, plastic, polycarbonate, and Trivex TM materials. Safety Goggles: Flexible fitting, regular ventilation: Protects eyes at sides, Cushions the face top, and bottom Flexible fitting, hooded ventilation: Protects against impact chemical splashes sparks dust Cushioned fit, rigid body: Protects against chemical splashes irritating mist impact sparks dust Welding goggles, eyecup type, filter lenses: Protects against glare sparks welding flash Chipping goggles, eyecup type, clear safety lenses: Protects against Hot sparks Nuisance dust Face shields and helmets: • Full face shields protect workers exposed to chemicals, heat and bloodborne pathogens • Helmets protect welders or other workers dealing with molten materials. • Must be supplemented with safety glasses or goggles (to protect when the shield is • Features a plastic or mesh window designed to protect the entire face. THE PROPER EYE PROTECTION FOR YOUR JOB Auto repair Potential hazards • Contact with objects and equipment such as parts and materials • Sparks from cutting torches • Airborne pieces of metal Protective eyewear • Goggles • Safety glasses with side shields Carpentry Potential hazards • Flying wood, metal, and concrete chips • Hammering • Chiseling • Drilling • Stripping paint • Splitting tiles or concrete slabs • Painting ceilings Laying insulation Protective eyewear • Goggles • Safety glasses with side shields Construction Potential hazards • Nails, tiny pieces of metal, splinters, and cut wire ends can land in eyes • Dust and grit from cement mixing, sawing, grinding, and chipping Protective eyewear • Goggles • Safety glasses with side shields Driving Potential hazards UV rays Glare Airbags Protective eyewear Polycarbonate lenses with UV protection and anti-reflective coating Electrical work Potential hazards • Flying particles such as nails, small pieces of metal, and cut wire ends • Falling objects or sparks striking the eye • Burns Protective eyewear • Safety glasses with side shields • Arc-rated face shield Health care (laboratory and janitorial work) Potential hazards • Infectious diseases transmitted through the mucous membranes of the eye or from respiratory droplets generated during coughing or suctioning Protective eyewear • Goggles • Face shield Manufacturing Potential hazards • Radiation • Grinding • Welding • Hammering • Cutting • Drilling • Spraying Protective eyewear • Smelting • Sanding • Chipping • Chiseling • Flying particles, fragments, sparks, dust, or other hazardous substances • Goggles Safety glasses with side shields Plumbing Potential hazards Chemical and material exposure Burns from hot equipment parts or steam lines, or the release of hot water or steam Flying particles from cutting or grinding Protective eyewear Goggles Safety glasses with side shields Welding Potential hazards • Chemical burns from splashes of industrial chemicals or cleaning products • Thermal burns • UV radiation burns (welder's flash) Protective eyewear • Welding goggles • Welding helmets Eliminate hazards before starting work Use machine guards, work screens, or other engineering controls. Ensure employers take steps to create a safe work environment • Conduct an eye hazard assessment of the workplace. • Remove or reduce eye hazards where possible. • Provide appropriate safety eyewear and require employees to wear it. Whether it's minor or severe, an eye injury can seriously impact a worker's comfort, productivity, and workmanship. Most eye injuries are preventable with proper eye protection and workplace precautions. aoa.org thevisioncouncil.org nsc.org ehs.okstate.edu cdc.gov Designed by: Ghergich & Co. Brought to you by: Quill.om Asrall partof your ob is 100% of ours. る 重