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 Sight is one of our most valuable resources and the loss of sight can interfere with a person’s ability to work and carry out normal activities. Eye injuries from impact hazards, chemical burns, foreign bodies, infections, heat hazards and optical radiation can lead to serious eye conditions or possible blindness.
Sight is one of our most valuable resources and the loss of sight can interfere with a person’s ability to work and carry out normal activities. Eye injuries from impact hazards, chemical burns, foreign bodies, infections, heat hazards and optical radiation can lead to serious eye conditions or possible blindness.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) 2000 U.S. workers daily experience a job related eye injury that requires medical treatment. Most commonly small particles or objects strike or scratch the cornea. Examples include small pieces of metal or wood, dust and stone or cement chips. These particles are ejected from tools, fall from above, windblown or transferred from clothing into the eye.
There are many potential eye hazard examples which include the use of tools, handling chemicals, exposure to infectious biologic materials, welding, laser work, and or working in dusty and windy conditions. Annually there are more than 700,000 eye injuries costing over 467 million dollars in direct costs. This number jumps to 934 million dollars if you include the indirect costs such as legal fees, judgments and training of new workers, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the National Eye Institute have documented that in 2004 about 37,000 eye injuries occurred in the workplace which resulted in lost time from work. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) identified 70% of injuries were due to falling or flying objects. Interestingly the BLS also found that 3 out of 5 workers were not wearing eye protection or were wearing the wrong eye protection. Eye protection needs to be designed for the type of work being done, properly fitted, properly worn and properly removed in order to be effective. It is estimated that 90% of eye injuries can be prevented by using proper eyewear.
California Code of Regulations, Title 8 has many references to personal protective equipment which in summary states that when employees are exposed to hazards in the work place, there must be personal protective equipment provided whenever administrative and engineered controls are unable to eliminate the hazard. Eye protection must be provided and properly used wherever eye hazards related to flying particles, hazardous materials and injurious light rays are present.
There are three main types of personal protective equipment when employees are involved in activities where there is the potential for eye and face injury:
· Safety glasses
· Goggles
· Face shields
If you are working in an area that has particles, flying objects, or dust, you must at least wear safety glasses with side protection (side shields). Goggles are intended for use when protection is needed against chemicals. Goggles are tighter fitting but may not be appropriate in settings where chemical vapors or mist are present. In this scenario, face shields should be worn providing full face coverage from a range of hazards including liquid splash.
Employers are advised to review OSHA requirements and ensure there is a work place eye protection plan in place addressing:
· Worker safety
· Work place hazard assessment
· Evidence of proper employee training
· Criteria regarding when eye protection is needed
· Proper fitting and removal
· Maintenance and care of eye protection
Eye and face protection must comply with the American National Standards Institute, ANSI Z87.1-1989 standards. It is recommended that employers review OSHA guidelines for first aid kits and train employees in first aid including eye injuries. Additionally employees should be trained in the location of and use of any emergency equipment especially eye wash stations.
When an eye injury does occur it is important not to delay medical evaluation in order to prevent a worsening condition which could result in vision impairment. The following quick tips can help prepare you if an eye injury occurs:
What to do if an eye has been cut or punctured:
· don’t touch, rub or put pressure to the eye
· don’t try to remove any object stuck in the eye
· don’t apply ointment or medication
· don’t rinse with water
· don’t give medications that thin blood like aspirin or ibuprofen
· do put a protective shield over the injured eye
· do seek medical attention immediately
What to do if an eye has a chemical burn or splash:
· do immediately flush with plenty of sterile eye wash solution or water or at an eye wash station
· do seek medical attention immediately
What to do if a particle or foreign body gets into an eye:
· don’t rub the eye
· do lift the eyelid with clean fingers and allow tears to flush out the particle
· do rinse with plenty of sterile eye wash solution or if necessary water
· do seek medical attention if the particle remains or if pain persists
How can employers and employees work together to prevent eye injuries?
· assess operations, equipment and work areas for eye hazards
· create a safe work environment
· ensure employees have met vision standards related to job requirements
· include employees in selection of protective eye wear that meets industry standards
· establish and participate in a safety program that includes eye safety
· protective eye wear must fit and be comfortable
· create emergency plans for eye injury first aid, ensure adequate first aid supplies
· foster education regarding eye protection, protective equipment and first aid training
· management support and employee compliance is the foundation for reducing eye injuries
· periodically and at least annually review comprehensive safety programs including eye safety
· put safety programs in writing and ensure all new employees receive orientation
· create a culture where 100 % safety compliance is the expectation and management sets an example
Reducing eye injuries is a worthy objective. Everyone has a role in helping to meet this objective and Palomar Pomerado Corporate Health Services is available to help you at our clinic locations in Poway and San Marcos. To schedule a time for us to review and evaluate your current policy regarding safety and eye protection or to find out more information, please contact: Duane Johnson 760.637.7665
By Glen Pugh, RN, BSN, MSN, FNP-BC
Clinical Manager, Palomar Pomerado Corporate Health Services
Palomar Pomerado Health
Palomar Pomerado Corporate Health encourages regular communication with your insurance carrier or TPA to assess the outcomes of your workers compensation program. To obtain information regarding Corporate Health’s comprehensive services please call: Duane Johnson 760.637.7665.
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