It is a distressing fact that thousands of eye injuries occur at work in the UK each year. According to statistics from the HSE, of the 5910 head injuries due to work last year, 814 were related specifically to the eye. Around 10 to 20%, result in partial or full blindness. It is therefore essential for employers and staff to pay attention to eye safety at work. The good news is that they are almost always preventable. It is both the employers and employees responsibility to make sure they are protected from any hazards.  

The Most Common Cause of Eye Injuries.

Eye injuries can be caused by many hazards in the workplace and when carrying out dangerous jobs such as welding. Some of the most common hazards are:

• Flying dust and debris- this can be caused by yourself or a co-worker sanding or working with equipment that omits dust and debris.
• Exposure to dangerous chemicals- this is caused by chemicals and other dangerous substances becoming airborne and coming into contact with your eyes.
• UV Exposure- this can be caused by being exposed to welding of working outside in the sun.
• Blunt trauma to the eyes- this can be caused by hazards such as falling objects or parts of machinery that stick out.
• Heat exposure to the eyes- this can be caused by getting to close to a co-worker welding or to machinery that emits hot air.
• Allergies- Food, spices, flowers, detergents, perfume and other substances could cause conjunctivitis.

How to Avoid Eye Injuries.

These are some great tips for avoiding eye injuries in the workplace:

• Identify hazards- before carrying out a task, make sure that you identify all of the potential hazards that could cause eye injuries. For every hazard that you identify, put in safeguards to remove the risk. This can be as simple as doing the job outdoors instead of indoors, or it might be something complicated like having to evacuate all other employees from the worksite while you do the job. If you cannot eliminate major risks or are unsure, stop the job immediately and consult a supervisor.
• Wear correct PPE– always make sure that you wear the approved personal protection equipment (PPE) when carrying out a job where there is a potential risk of eye injuries. According to research,3 out of 5 eye injuries are caused by people not wearing the correct PPE. Eye safety PPE includes safety glasses, face shields, and goggles. The exact type depends on the job you are doing.
• Protect your co-workers– if carrying out a job such as welding, make sure that you put up proper barriers up so that your co-workers an avoid UV exposure. If you are going to be carrying out a job where there might be a danger to your co-workers, make sure that you inform them before commencing the job.
• Follow Emergency Procedures– if something does, unfortunately, get into your eyes, don’t rub or scratch them. If you do, rub or scratch your eye it can make the damage worse. The correct procedure is to go to your nearest eyewash station or use a saline bottle to rinse your eye out and if necessary, seek medical treatment. If you wear contact lenses, remove them before rinsing your eyes out.

PPE.

Safety Glasses– This is the most common type of eye protection as it is used in almost all industries in different forms. Compared to typical glasses, safety glasses are made with more durable materials that can withstand more wear and tear.
Safety Goggles– This type of eye protection work similarly to safety glasses and sometimes get mistaken for it. However, there are a couple different kinds, Vented goggles are for protection against liquids, vapour and mists with little to moderate danger. Non-vented safety goggles are for protection against liquids, vapours and mists that must not touch skin at all costs.
Face Sheilds– This type of eye protection provides the most protection to the face and eyes. However, it should not be used alone. Face shields are to be used with safety glasses or goggles underneath, serving as additional protection by catching any debris, liquid, or particles that may splash elsewhere on the face.