Nearly one million Americans have lost some degree of their sight due to an eye injury. More than 700, 000 Americans injure their eyes at work each year. Luckily, 90% of all workplace eye injuries can be avoided by using proper safety eyewear.
Here are 10 ways that you can help prevent an eye injury in your workplace.
Assess!
Look carefully at plant operations. Inspect all work areas, access routes, and equipment for hazards to eyes. Study eye accident and injury reports. Identify operations and areas the present eye hazards.
Test!
Uncorrected vision problems can cause accidents. Provide vision testing during routine employee physical exams.
Protect
Select protective eyewear that is designed for the specific duty or hazard. Protective eyewear must meet the current standards from the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 and later revisions.
Participate!
Create a 100% mandatory program for eye protection in all operation areas of your plant. A broad program prevents more injuries and is easier to enforce than one that limits eye protection to certain departments, areas, or jobs.
Fit!
Workers need protective eyewear that fits well and is comfortable. Have eyewear fitted by an eye care professional or someone trained to do this. Provide repairs for eyewear and require each worker to be in charge of his or her own gear.
Plan for an Emergency!
Set up first-aid procedures for eye injuries. Have eyewash stations that are easy to get to, especially where chemicals are used. Train workers in basic first-aid and identify those with more advanced training.
Educate!
Conduct ongoing educational programs to create, keep up, and highlight the need for protective eyewear. Add eye safety to your regular employee training programs and to new employee orientation.
Support!
Management support is key to having a successful eye safety program. Management can show their support for the program by wearing protective eyewear whenever and wherever needed.
Review!
Regularly review and update your accident prevention policies. Your goal should be NO eye injuries or accidents!
Put it in Writing!
Once your safety program is created, put it in writing. Display a copy of the policy in work and employee gathering areas. Include a review of the policy in new employee orientation.
The Wise Owl Program, sponsored by Prevent Blindness America, has recognized more than 86,000 people who avoided losing their sight in a workplace accident because they were wearing proper eye protection.
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For more information on eye safety, email us at info@preventblindness.org, contact us online, or call 1-800-331-2020.
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