According to many medical authorities our eyes are particularly vulnerable because the cornea (the transparent layer protecting the eye) is only 1/2mm thick. The workplace can present a number of risks to your eyes, from foreign objects to harsh chemicals, which need to be managed.
Protecting Your Eyes When Working Outdoors
Outdoor workers need to take special care of their eyes, especially those working in construction, building trades, agriculture or forestry. Not only do twigs, stone chips, and low-hanging branches pose a risk, loose soil, dust and sand can be a major irritant, whereas still bodies of water can potentially contain nasty pathogens, such as acanthamoeba, which causes corneal ulcers. Health and safety preparation, as ever, is the best protection.
Sunglasses can protect your eyes and should be a minimum requirement and can provide some basic protection, though for bigger jobs protective goggles may be necessary. It is also a good idea to ensure eyewash is available in your first aid kit.
Protecting Your Eyes While Operating Machinery
There is specific health and safety regulations in place for working equipment and machinery. The regulations aim to keep people safe wherever equipment and machinery is used at work. As an employer, you have a legal obligation to protect yourself and your workers when using machinery or equipment – which includes managing risks to eyes.
Angle grinding and welding, for example, can pose a significant risk, and appropriate safety goggles/glasses must be worn. When choosing appropriate eye protection, you should check our list of quality FAST Rescue eye safety supplies, as many are impact-resistant and adhere to relevant standards, as well as ensuring they fit properly.
Protecting Your Eyes While Handling Chemicals
Chemicals represent a significant risk to your eyes and should always be handled with care.
Employees in industrial settings are often well aware of the dangers, but it is important to remember that many commonly found chemicals are also damaging to the eye, including weedkiller, plant sprays, caustic soda, bleach and other cleaning products.
In the event of a chemical splash, you wash the chemical out of your eye as quickly and thoroughly as possible, using lots of fluid, before seeing medical attention if necessary. Remember, alkaline substances cause more damage than acids because they penetrate the eye faster. We recommend having eyewash stations and a standard first aid kit always at hand in risk adverse environments.
Protecting Your Eyes In The Office
Yes your office can be a danger to the health of your eyes as well.
Employees who habitually work with computers and other display screens are at risk from a number of sight-related issues, including temporary myopia, eyestrain and blurred vision. While most of these issues are temporary, they nevertheless represent a source of pain and discomfort and should be given careful consideration as part of a risk assessment.
Regular screen breaks should be built into all workers’ routines in order to give their eyes a break.
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About F.A.S.T. Rescue
F.A.S.T. Rescue are health and safety experts offering consulting, supplies and training solutions that help make employees safe in the workplace. We’re passionate about health and safety, offering unrivaled value and solutions with a satisfaction guarantee. Headquartered in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.