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 that 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 OSHA.
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.
Set up first-aid procedures for eye injuries. Have eyewash stations that are easy to access, 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, sustain, 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 a 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.
Source: www.preventblindness.org
