Despite its importance, eye safety often takes the back seat in safety programs due to organizations underestimating the potential risks and focusing more on other safety measures. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics recorded around 18,500 workplace-related eye injuries and illnesses causing at least one day away from work in 2020, translating to around 51 daily instances. At the same time, most eye experts agree that US businesses can reduce this number by up to 90% if workers are informed of workplace eye hazards and utilize the appropriate eye protection. This article highlights the importance of eye safety by discussing workplace eye hazards and the necessary eye protection measures and equipment employers must implement to keep workers’ eyes safe. 

Eye Hazards in the Workplace 

Various work environments create or contain different eye hazards.  

• Field workers in construction and mining sites are likely to be exposed to particles, dust, sharp projectiles, and other debris from wood and metal cutting or the transportation of construction materials.  

• Welders are at risk of developing photokeratitis (a.k.a. “welder’s flash” or “arc-eye”) from the ultraviolet radiation that welding torches emit. This injury to the cornea is a condition that can cause intense pain and loss of vision. 

• Laboratory workers often are in an environment with many different chemicals, making them prone to acute and chronic eye injuries related to gases, fumes, vapors, and mists. Sulfuric acid and hydrochloric acid are commonly found in laboratories and generate vapors that can cause painful eye acid burns. In some cases, the pain level is not proportional to the degree of eye damage, leading some workers to misjudge the severity of the incident. Although not that painful, eye contact with some alkali chemicals can cause severe damage and potentially lead to vision loss. 

• Factory workers and auxiliary staff are also exposed to hazards, especially when handling boilers. Small leaks in steam piping can release an invisible stream of ultra-hot steam, causing various safety issues such as eye burns for the unprotected worker. 

• If unaware of the danger and unprotected by the proper equipment and handling techniques, persons working around pathogenic materials and wastes, from medical professionals to janitorial staff, could rub their eyes and introduce those pathogens. 

Preventing Workplace Eye Injuries 

Preventing eye injuries starts with employee education on various hazards in the workplace and a proper understanding of and commitment to safety procedures and protocols. By arming workers with the knowledge of eye hazards, they can be more conscious of their safety and participate in strengthening an organization’s safety programs. Knowledge is useless unless it is put into action, however, so workers should be encouraged to own their safety by positive reinforcement of correct conduct. 

Another strategy to limit eye injuries is to put in place engineering controls to limit worker exposure to various eye hazards. For instance, installing fume hoods in chemical laboratories significantly limits the exposure of lab workers to gases and fumes by preventing the chemical from spreading outside of a specific area. In construction and manufacturing, installing barriers in areas prone to flying debris and dust keeps the hazard enclosed, preventing worker exposure. 

Employers and safety officers must also provide workers with eye protection that will adequately mitigate any remaining hazards present in the workplace. Eye safety equipment must fit the worker or be adjustable to maintain good coverage. As much as possible, each eye protection should be tailored for each worker to ensure they remain comfortable wearing it, encouraging compliance. Some common examples of eye protection are listed below, along with their most appropriate use: 

• Safety glasses– this form of PPE has shatter-resistant lenses that protect against hard projectiles. These are suitable for workplaces with flying debris hazards, such as construction sites and areas with heavy equipment and machinery.  

• Safety goggles– protect the wearer’s eyes from liquids, vapors, mists, and gases. These are appropriate for chemical laboratories. 

• Face shields and welding helmets- protect the entire face from debris and liquids. Welding Helmets and certain face shields have special filters that block harmful radiation from welding and working with lasers. 

Each year, the United States tallies thousands of workplace eye injuries. These can result in a decrease or total loss of function, severely impacting the afflicted worker’s productivity and quality of life. According to estimates, however, organizations can slash the frequency of these accidents by up to 90% by taking appropriate measures. Eye injury statistics can be drastically diminished by using available tools to better encourage worker awareness and training, installing engineering controls, and tailoring eye protection gear to correctly fit and protect employees. By taking these three main steps, an organization can significantly curb the potentially harmful impacts of the hazards present in the workplace. 

Publisher Bio

The SafetyStratus Research Advisory Group (RAG) brings together thought leaders from the global environmental, health, and safety community to promote best practices and provide key insights in the profession and the industries they serve. The Research Advisory Group also advocates, where practical, the intersection of and advances with the use of technology, such as the SafetyStratus enterprise EHS software platform. Group membership consists of representatives from across varied disciplines and market sectors as well as select members of the SafetyStratus team.
The primary objectives of the SafetyStratus RAG partnership are to:

• Build a strategic partnership between EHS practitioners and the SafetyStratus team.
• Provide engaging and practical content to the global EHS community.
• Provide discipline and market feedback specific to SafetyStratus products and services.

While the objectives of the RAG are varied, the primary public-facing outcome will be available through engaging and practical content found on the SafetyStratus resource pages. Various articles, papers, and other valuable resources will be produced and shared as part of an ongoing effort to cultivate a robust community. Ultimately, the SafetyStratus RAG will expand to have a broader reach and provide opportunities for more inclusion by all interested EHS professionals in a collaborative community environment.