Solution Summary: Safety Eye Protection
Description:
Using safety eye protection can reduce the risk of eye injuries in the workplace. The type of safety eye protection that should be worn in the workplace depends on the hazards associated with the work area.
Figure 1. ANSI Z87.1-2015 special product markings on the lens and frames.
Risks Addressed:
Risk Addressed
According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics (BLS), more than 40% of workplace eye injuries take place among craft workers (plumbers, repairers, carpenters, mechanics, etc.), and around 33% among equipment operators (assemblers, sanders, etc.). Of the total number of injuries, almost half take place in manufacturing and just over 20% happen in construction. BLS records also show that 70% of eye injuries in the workplace involve flying or falling objects or sparks, while about 20% of workplace eye injuries involve contact with chemicals. Other causes of frequent eye injuries come from swinging objects like tree limbs, ropes, and chains, as well as tools other workers are using in the work area.
Working in different environments, whether in construction, manufacturing, or laboratory, exposes workers to a variety of hazards to their eyes. The most common types of hazards include:
· Flying objects (bits of metal, glass)
· Blunt impact
· Radiation
· Splashes and droplets
· Dust
· Small particles
· Chemicals
· Welding flashes
· Any combination of these hazards
Without proper eye protection, workers are at risk of suffering permanent eye damage.
How Risks are Reduced:
How Risk Is Reduced
Most eye injuries recorded are minor, but some workplace accidents can result in serious injury, vision loss or blindness. Any job that involves airborne particles or hazardous substances carries a risk for eye injury. Ordinary eyewear does not adequately protect workers against eye injury; the need for proper eye protection glasses is paramount to the safety of the eye. Safety glasses are different from regular glasses because they are made from polycarbonate, a lightweight but strong material that is designed to have high impact resistance. The risk of workplace injuries can be reduced by paying attention to the working environment and always wearing the right eye protection when workers are required to do a high-risk job. Ninety percent of eye injuries can be prevented by wearing the appropriate safety eyewear for the task (safetyglassesUSA.com) thereby providing the proper shielding reducing the risk of eye injury.
Hazards involve any potential danger or risk that exists not only in workplaces, but also at home and during recreation activities. These threats include physical, chemical, and biological hazards. Eye hazards exist in every workplace, but some jobs pose a higher risk for eye injury than others do. The most important way to protect the eyes is to wear appropriate eyewear. In the work place, this means following recommendations of the safety experts at OSHA, as well as performing safety audits. Injuries to the eye due to the lack of protective glasses incur costs that include medical expenses, treatments, surgery, compensation for damage or loss, and reimbursement for lost wages. Regular use of protective eyewear saves money and resources by preventing injuries and reducing injury severity.
Other benefits of safety eyewear include enhanced vision, increased comfort, and protection from sunlight. In addition to offering a high level of protection against acute injuries, newly manufactured polycarbonate lenses provide 99% protection from harmful UV-A and UV-B rays. This helps to prevent eye disease caused by long-term exposure to the sun, such as pterygium, photokeratitis, macular degeneration, benign eye growths, and peri-ocular skin cancer.
How Risk Is Reduced Detailed
1. Jankovic, John, Burton R. Ogle, Tracy L. Zontek, Michael D. Biegalski, Scott M. Hollenbeck, and Tina M. Wells. “Suitability of Polycarbonate Safety Glasses for UV Laser Eye Protection.” Journal of Chemical Health and Safety 23, no. 2 (March 1, 2016): 29–33. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jchas.2015.07.001.
Effects on Productivity:
Effects on Productivity
Workers have a right to a safe workplace. The law requires employers to provide appropriate safety equipment and accessories. Providing a safe workplace is not only required by law, it also increases productivity. A report by the Bureau of Labor Statistics in 2014 showed that a total number of 23,730 cases of eye injuries or illness resulted in two median days away from work. A similar report by BLS in 2008 also show that out of a total of 27,450 eye injuries or illness, the construction industry accounts for 5,510 (20.1%) of the eye injuries.
Additional Considerations:
Other factors that can potentially contribute to accidents to the eye include:
· Failure of the employer to enforce the use of eye protection
· Failure of the employer to train workers on proper use of eye protection
· Underestimating the risk of eye injury and the value of using eye protection
· Inadequate eye protection, especially when the job requires a face shield.
· Limiting the use of eye protection to equipment operators only, even though anyone in the area is also at risk.
· Improper use of tools and equipment
· Lack of regular maintenance for tools and equipment
Contributors:
Dr.Behzad Esmaeili, Tomay Solomon
Hazards Addressed:
- General Labor
- Brace and assemble temporary structures
- Clear, prepare and fence construction sites
- Compact earth
- Construct and remove sidewalk forms
- Erect and dismantle scaffolds
- Identify, control and remove hazardous materials
- Inspect and use mechanical lifts
- Inspect and use scaffolds and ladders
- Install traffic control markers, barricades and maintain traffic patterns
- Jackhammer rock and concrete surfaces
- Load, unload and distribute construction materials
- Operate concrete mixers, pumps and fire proofing sprayers
- Operate earth boring machines
- Operate pavement cutters and concrete grinders
- Pave and patch concrete and asphalt
- Perform housekeeping
- Perform manual demolition
- Position and join sewer, water and storm drains
- Prepare ground and install landscaping
- Prepare surfaces with hand tools
- Rig, load and transport construction debris
- Use power tools on aerial lifts
Availability
3M
To obtain information, visit Eye Protection
Edge
To obtain information, visit http://edgeeyewear.com/
or contact 1-866-953-7325
Radians
To obtain information, visit https://www.radians.com/
or contact 1 877-723-4267 SALES@RADIANS.COM
Pyramex
To obtain information, visit http://www.pyramexsafety.com
or contact 1-800-736-8673 help@pyramexsafety.com