Taurus Projects Blog The Importance of Eye Safety on the Job Site

The construction industry is at high risk for eye injuries due to the nature of the work involved. The US Bureau of Labour reported that 70% of eye injuries were the result of falling objects or sparks striking the eye, with nearly three-fifths of workers stating that the objects were smaller than a pinhead. It has been noted that three out of five workers were not wearing eye protection at the time of their accident or were wearing the wrong kind of eye protection. Injuries can result in a permanent loss of vision so it's important to identify some common hazards that can occur on a job site. Eye protection is needed when these potential eye hazards are present on a work site: 1. Projectiles (such as dust, concrete, metal, wood and other particles) Safety glasses with side protection are recommended as small things such as splinters, broken glass or dust can cause quite a bit of damage to the eye. It's advisable to wear the glasses when using machinery that creates debris and dust.2. Chemicals Safety goggles form a special seal against the face to keep contaminants out. They usually have ventilation slats to help prevent misting. They can be worn over safety glasses or prescription eyeglasses. 3. Hazardous radiationRequires special safety purpose glasses, goggles or face shields that are designed for a specific task.Eye protection should be fitted to each individual and adjusted to provide the appropriate coverage. The goggles, glasses or face shields should fit comfortably while allowing for sufficient peripheral vision. The importance of comfortable eye protection cannot be emphasized enough - workers will not wear eye protection if it is bothersome. If protective eyewear is worn throughout the day, comfort enhancing features such as cushioned brows, gel nosepieces or padded nose bridges, vented frames, flexible or ratcheted temples and lenses with adjustable angles will make a tremendous difference.Training workers how and when to use eye and face protection is a crucial part of a safety program. Implementing eye safety policies and communicating this to workers is a key component to successful safety practices. Instruct workers when to wear eye safety protection, and explain how and where they can obtain the eyewear. Tell them how to get replacements and show them how to take proper care of the equipment. If an injury does occur on the job site, several steps can be taken in case of an emergency:Chemicals in the eyeFlush the eye with water for at least 15 minutes. If necessary, remove contact lenses before flushing. Don't neutralize the chemical with other substances and don't bandage the eye. Seek medical attention after flushing.Particles in the eyeDo not rub the eye. You can irrigate the eye with an artificial tear solution or lift the upper eyelid outward and down over the lower eyelid to remove the particle. If the particle does not wash out, keep the eye closed and seek medical attention.Blows to the eyeGently apply a cold compress (such as crushed ice in a bag) to the eye without putting pressure on the eye. If there is severe pain or reduced vision, seek immediate medical attention. Cuts and punctures Do not wash or attempt to remove an object that is stuck in the eye. Cover the eye with a shield...even the bottom of a paper cup will do. Seek medical help.Read More