Preventing workplace eye injuries

According to Prevent Blindness America, more than 2,000 eye injuries occur each day while people are at work. Of these injuries, 10% result in missed days of work and of those injuries, 10 to 20% will cause temporary or permanent blindness. However, almost 90% of these injuries could have been prevented by wearing the appropriate eye protection while on the job. 

Causes of Eye Injuries
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Eye injuries can result from a variety of causes:

• Flying objects in the air
• Tools
• Particles
• Chemical splashes
• Harmful radiation

Protection Against Eye Injuries

To protect your eyes from injuries while at work, consider the following recommendations:
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• Identify and eliminate the dangers in your workplace before beginning your tasks for the day.
• Select safety glasses or goggles that are appropriate for the job and your facial features. Glasses should rest firmly on the top of your nose and close to, not against, the face.

• Wear glasses or goggles that are properly ventilated for the work you are performing. Unless you are working near splash hazards, use goggles with plenty of side ventilation to prevent fogging.
• If goggles fog easily, try another model with more ventilation or coat them with an anti-fog liquid.
• Always keep safety goggles and glasses clean. Scratches and dirt can reduce vision, cause glare and may contribute to accidents.
• If you wear prescription glasses, wear goggles designed to fit over your glasses or use safety glasses made with your prescription.