There is some risk to your eyes in almost any job. But some jobs are definitely more likely to result in eye injury than others. The American Academy of Ophthalmology and the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) estimate that at least 90 percent of all eye injuries could have been avoided with proper eye protection.
More than 1,000 eye injuries occur each day in American workplaces. The financial cost is more than $300 million each year in lost production time, medical expenses, and workers compensation.
When Eye Injuries Occur
- Most eye injuries (three out of five) occur when the worker is not wearing eye protection and the job risk actually requires it.
- Eye injuries also occur when the wrong kind of protection is worn, for example wearing glasses with no side shields.
- Most injuries (about 70 percent) result from some sort of flying particles. Often, these particles are very small, moving rapidly, and not even seen by the worker.
- Chemicals of various kinds cause about 20 percent of all eye injuries.
- A small percentage of accidents involve being hit or poked in the eye by objects such as low-hanging limbs, tools, chains, or ropes.
Preventing Eye Injuries
- Wearing eye protection, of course, is the first step in prevention, but it has to be the right kind of eye protection.
- Goggles are more protective than safety glasses, and safety glasses are more protective than regular glasses.
- Avoiding work activities that are likely to cause objects to fly back in your face is another obvious safety approach.
- Check with OSHA, supervisors, and other organizations to find what the best protection would be for the job you are assigned.
- Some jobs require face shields and helmets to be used in conjunction with safety glasses or goggles.
- Eyestrain can occur from overuse/over focus. This does not usually result in long-term damage. But it might impair your vision and make you more vulnerable to other types of eye injury. Take time to rest your eyes when your vision becomes blurry or your eyes are dry and painful.
The Bottom Line
Take care of your eyes. You don't get a second chance. Protective eyewear is available for any job you engage in. Get the proper eyewear before you start the job.
More Resources:
- OSHA, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration
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