Doctors across the United States attend to thousands of eye injury cases. Many of these injuries are caused by workplace accidents. It is noted that many of these injuries were preventable with wearing safety glasses as most of the injuries caused by flying debris and exposure to harmful chemicals, or fumes, and also from excessive strain to the eyes. Let’s see what are the most common causes of workplace eye injuries.
Flying Debris:
Flying debris is one of the most common hazards at the workplace that involve engineering, demolition, manufacturing, building construction, etc. Employees are required to wear safety glasses to prevent damage from flying debris as it can cause minor to severe eye damage. Even a small piece of derbies can cause irreparable eye damage. Even a small piece of grit can scratch the cornea and cause permanent vision loss.
Radiation:
Radiation is harmful to human bodies if it exceeds its safety limits. Employees who have to work outdoors every day for long hours should wear protective eyewear to reduce the risk of eye injury. Exposure to UV radiation increases the risk of several eye-related conditions, such as itching, dryness, reddening, excessive watering, and carcinomas of various parts of the eye. If you work outdoors for extended hours regularly then you should invest in a pair of quality safety sunglasses.
Tools:
There are several tools used in different types of workplaces that can cause a variety of eye-related issues. For example, employees working in the office in using a computer for hours are at greater risk of developing dry eyes, altered vision, and pain.
Employees working in biology labs frequently use radiation lamps to kill bacteria and germs. If their eyes remain exposed to radiation for certain hours then it can cause minor to extensive eye damage.
Welding is the task where the welder has to be extra careful to protect his eyes. Emission of UV rays during the welding process can damage the eyes. The constant brightness of flash during welding can also cause pain.
Chemicals:
When corrosive chemicals come in contact with eyes, it can cause extensive damage to the eyes. Eyes can be significantly damaged even if only the fumes of the chemical comes in contact with eyes. It can cause, slight burning, watery eyes, and can also lead to permanent vision loss.
Objects Hitting The Eye:
If any object hits the eyes with sufficient force, it can badly damage the eyes. At the workplace where there is no shortage of pointed or blunt objects, the eyes are required to be protected all the time.
Uncorrected Vision:
This is also a common cause of eye injuries at the workplace. When a worker has weak eyesight, he or she should wear prescription safety glasses to protect their eyes and working without compromising with their vision. Even a small miscalculation can be life-threatening not only for the employee with weak eyesight but also for other employees working around him.
How to reduce eye injuries at the workplace:
Most of the eye injuries at the workplace are the result of negligence. If proper safety protocols are implemented at the workplace then the risk of eye injury can be significantly reduced. By taking the following precautions, workers and employers can create a working environment that minimizes the risk of eye injury.
Hazard assessments should be performed regularly to reduce the possibility of an accident occurring in the workplace. Ensuring that all equipment is in perfect condition and other items such as machine guards and boiler covers are placed properly helps minimize the risk of workplace accidents.
The employer should provide quality protective eyewear and other safety equipment to the workers. An employer can collaborate with a company that provides best safety glasses, safety sunglasses, and prescription safety glasses.
Proper training should be given to the workers. Proper knowledge about the potential risk should be given to them.
A first aid kit should be placed where it can be easily reached in case of an emergency. All workplaces should also have saline eyewash and availability of clean water to minimize the damage when an accident occurs.
Summary:
Prevention is better than cure. Workers must take all the necessary precautions to protect their eyes. From wearing high-quality safety glasses to being educated about the potential risks at the workplace help workers to perform daily tasks with minimum risk of injuries. Prescription Safety Glasses Canada provides an extensive range of safety glasses and safety sunglasses to keep your eyes protected. We also provide perfect custom solution of prescription safety glasses for the workers who are already prescribed to wear glasses. Browse through our affordable range of safety glasses and place your order.