IMPROVE YOUR EYE-Q: AVOID EYE INJURIES

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Each day about 2,000 U.S. workers have a job-related eye injury that requires medical treatment. About one-third 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.

The majority of eye injuries result from small particles or objects striking or abrading the eye. Large objects may also strike the eye/face, or a worker may run into an object, causing trauma to the eyeball or eye socket.

Eyes can also suffer chemical burns from splashes of industrial chemicals or cleaning products. Among welders and nearby workers, UV radiation burns (welder's flash) routinely damage eyes and surrounding tissue.

Healthcare workers, janitorial workers, animal handlers and others have the additional risk of acquiring infectious diseases via direct exposure through the mucous membranes of the eye (e.g. through blood splashes, droplets from coughs or from touching the eyes with contaminated fingers or other objects). Infections can range from minor (conjunctivitis) to life-threatening, such as Hepatitis B. If a worker can prove a disease stems from work-related causes, workers' compensation may apply.

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards require employers to provide workers with suitable eye protection. To effectively prevent injury, eyewear must suit the hazard encountered and be fitted to the individual or be adjustable to provide appropriate coverage. It should allow for sufficient peripheral vision and be comfortable. If employees wear prescription lenses, their eye protection should either incorporate the prescription or be worn over their glasses or contact lenses without disturbing positioning of the prescription or protective lenses.

The employer must ensure that each affected employee uses 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 or when a possibility of eye infection exists. We can help you evaluate eye safety needs at your worksite. For more information, please contact the PCOC Insurance Program department at Jenkins Insurance Services at (877) 860-7378.

Five Steps to Improve Eye Safety

1 Create a safe work environment.

- Minimize hazards from falling or unstable debris.

- Ensure tools work and safety features (machine guards) are in place.

- Ensure workers (particularly temps) know how to use tools properly.

- Keep bystanders out of hazard areas.

2 Evaluate safety hazards.

- Identify primary hazards at the site.

- Identify hazards posed by nearby workers, large machinery and falling/shifting debris.

3 Wear the proper eye and face protection.

- Select the appropriate Z87 eye protection for the hazard (Z87 refers to ANSI Z87.1, a standard for occupational eye and face protection from the American National Standards Institute).

- Make sure the eye protection is in good condition.

- Make sure the eye protection fits properly and will stay in place.

4 Use good work practices.

- Use caution—brush, shake or vacuum dust and debris from hardhats, hair, forehead or the top of the eye protection before removing the protection.

- Do not rub eyes with dirty hands or clothing.

- Clean eyewear regularly.

5 Prepare for eye injuries and first aid needs.

- Have an eye wash or sterile solution on hand.

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