How To Prevent Eye Injuries In The Workplace

Eye injuries are very common in the workplace. In fact, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that there are about 20,000 eye injuries that occur in the workplace each year. The following article will provide some helpful information regarding how to prevent eye injuries in the workplace.

What causes eye injuries in the workplace?

Some of the top common causes of eye injuries in the workplace include:

• Flying shards of metal or glass
• Tools that slip or malfunction
• Particles such as wood splinters, metal shavings or crystalline silica
• Spattered chemicals
• Any combination of these or other hazards

What occupations have a high risk of eye injury?

Some occupations that have a particularly high risk for eye injuries include the following:

• Construction
• Manufacturing
• Mining
• Carpentry
• Auto repair
• Electrical work
• Plumbing
• Welding
• Maintenance

When should an employee seek medical attention for an eye injury?

An employee who has an eye injury should seek medical attention immediately if he exhibits any of the following symptoms:

1. The employee has obvious pain or trouble seeing
2. The employee has a cut or torn eyelid
3. One eye does not move as well as the other
4. One eye sticks out compared to the other
5. The eye has an unusual pupil size or shape
6. There is blood in the clear part of the eye
7. The employee has something in the eye or under the eyelid that cannot be easily removed

How can employees prevent eye injuries in the workplace?

There are some practical ways that employees can prevent eye injuries in the workplace, some of which include:

1. Be aware of eye safety hazards. Employees should be aware of any potential eye safety hazards so that they can avoid these hazards. These hazards should be clearly marked by words or other signage.
2. Eliminate hazards. Before employees begin their work, they should ensure that they are taking all of the necessary precautions to eliminate any eye safety hazards. This may include the use of machine guards, work screens, or other related engineering controls.
3. Use proper eye protection. Employees should always ensure that they are using proper eye protection at work so that they can prevent eye injury. This may include the use of safety goggles, safety glasses, face shields, helmets, and other helmets and goggles that are specially created to protect against optical radiation exposure.
4. Keep safety eyewear in good condition. Employees should ensure that their safety eyewear is maintained in good condition so that they can be properly protected against hazards. Additionally, employees should always ensure that they have their safety eyewear replaced if it becomes damaged.

Do You Have Questions about Workers’ Compensation? Contact our Firm

Workers’ compensation claims can sometimes be difficult to navigate. Connolly Injury Law can help. Our experienced Chicago workers’ compensation attorneys are ready to assist you with any questions you may have regarding workers’ compensation.