In the context of modern labor, workplace eye injuries have become nearly as common as slips and falls. According to the CDC, about 231,100 emergency room visits per year are due to work-related injuries to the eyes or face. Eye injuries alone cost businesses over $300 million per year in worker’s compensation payments, medical expenses, and lost productivity; in addition, around 20% of work-related eye injuries result in temporary or permanent vision loss.
In order to avoid these consequences, employers must do their best to prevent workplace eye injuries from occurring in the first place: by 1) assessing hazards, 2) using proper eye protection, and 3) encouraging worker compliance.
Step 1: Assess eye hazards
Identify and select personal protective equipment (PPE) based on the specific hazards that are present in the workplace– whether chemical, projectile, radiological, or a combination– and after mitigating the risk of these hazards with machine guarding or other engineering controls. Current OSHA standards require that employers provide PPE for the eyes and face when exposed to hazards from: flying particles, molten metal, liquid chemicals, acids or caustic liquids, chemical gases or vapors, and potentially injurious light radiation.
Step 2: Use proper PPE
The American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) reports that wearing protective eyewear can prevent up to 90% of severe eye injuries. In the words of AAO clinical spokesperson Anne Sumers, M.D., “It takes very little effort to protect yourself from on-the-job hazards that can cause blinding eye injuries. We strongly advise workers and their employers not to let their guard down when it comes to wearing proper eye protection.”
Below are the various types of PPE meant to protect the eyes and/or face from workplace hazards, each of which must be OSHA-compliant:
- Safety spectacles are meant to shield the wearer from impact or chemical hazards, and must include side shields in order to fully protect the eyes. They can also be made with prescription lenses.
- Safety goggles are secured with a protective seal around the eyes, and must be properly fitted to the face in order to ensure protection against dust or airborne particles.
- Face shields are considered secondary protectors to be used along with safety goggles or spectacles, and are intended to shield the entire face from impact hazards, high temperatures, or optical radiation.
Make sure that workers receive PPE that not only are appropriate for the jobs they are performing, but also in terms of fit. Hazardous materials can easily cause damage to the eye by entering through the side or underneath poorly-fitted frames.
Step 3: Encourage PPE compliance
Another critical aspect of eye safety in the workplace is compliance; in order to reduce eye injuries, workers must actually utilize PPE. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 3 out of 5 workers who suffered eye injuries were not wearing eye protection at the time. In a 2009 study of industrial and construction workers, fogging and scratching were found to be the most commonly reported reasons for not wearing PPE on the job, as well as discomfort resulting from a poor fit.
To encourage workers to practice better eye safety, choose goggles or spectacles that are made with stronger lens material, such as polycarbonate or Trivex, and look for scratch-resistant and anti-fog coatings. In addition, encourage compliance by: providing proper eye safety training, keeping all PPE in good condition by cleaning regularly and applying anti-fog when necessary, making equipment accessible to workers, and replacing any damaged equipment in a timely manner.
Proper eye safety at home
Although it might not seem necessary to utilize PPE outside of the workplace, statistics show that taking proper precaution at home will likely prevent extra visits to the emergency room. According to the AAO, almost half of all eye injuries—about 1.2 million—occur in or around the home. The most at-risk activities for eye or face injuries include:
- Cooking with hot oil or grease
- Using a lawnmower, edger, or power trimmer
- Clipping hedges
- Home repairs involving drilling or hammering
- Loose railings or rugs
- Opening champagne bottles (yes, really!)
- Working with solvents or hazardous chemicals
In particular, accidents involving common household products, such as cleaning fluid or bleach, cause nearly 125,000 eye injuries each year.
Both the AAO and the American Society of Ocular Trauma recommend every household have at least one pair of ANSI-approved protective eyewear. Before starting a new home repair project or undertaking any of the tasks above, stop by the hardware store and look for safety glasses, goggles, or face shields that have “ANSI Z87.1” marked on the frame.
