March is Workplace Eye Safety Month
According to Prevent Blindness America, 2,000 eye injuries occur on the job every day. An estimated 10 to 20 percent of work-related eye injuries will result in temporary or permanent vision loss.
March is Workplace Eye Safety Month, making this month an ideal time to think about how to best protect your vision on and off the job. Typical eye injuries on the job occur from foreign matter, like particles and splinters, rubbing or striking the eye. Surface wounds, including scratches and abrasions, are also common in the workplace, as are injuries caused by chemicals, radiation, equipment and tools.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) eye and face protection standard mandates that employers provide adequate protection for exposure to potentially hazardous materials. The federal requirement stipulates, “the employer shall ensure that each affected employee uses appropriate eye or face protection when exposed to eye or face hazards from flying particles, molten metal, liquid chemicals, acids or caustic liquids, chemical gases or vapors, or potentially injurious light radiation.”
Prevent Blindness America estimates that 90 percent of workplace eye injuries could be avoided if safety eyewear is used effectively. All eye protection should be certified by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) as ANSI Z87.
Wear safety glasses at work to reduce the chance of experiencing a workplace eye injury. If working in an area with particles or dust, be sure to wear safety glasses with side shields to protect against flying debris.
Employees who work around hazardous chemicals should wear safety goggles or face shields to protect against splashing. If your job involves welding or working with lasers or fiber optics, use special-purpose safety goggles and helmets designed specifically for this type of work.
Employers should provide first aid procedures for eye injuries, including easily-accessible eyewash stations. Companies should train employees in basic first aid and offer more advanced training for team leaders. Employers can also conduct ongoing educational programs to emphasize the need for protective eyewear and add eye safety to regular employee training programs and to new employee orientations.
Interestingly, the workplace isn’t the only place eyes can experience hazards. An estimated four out of every 10 accidents that cause blindness happen at home. Protective eyewear is also a smart idea off-the-job, particularly when working with tools and chemicals.
For more information, visit the National Safety Council web site for tips about how to protect your eyes from injury.
Harris Lowry Manton LLP is a dedicated full-service trial law firm. Our Georgia personal injury lawyers fight for the injured throughout every step of the legal process. We explain how litigation works from the moment you come into one of our offices in Atlanta or Savannah until your case is solved. Our legal team has achieved remarkable success because we leave no stone unturned when investigating our client’ claims and what should have been done to prevent their injuries. We file claims against all responsible parties — not just the most obvious one.
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