Eye injuries are common in many industrial workplaces and can be caused by dangerous materials or chemicals entering the eye. These injuries are serious and can lead to irreparable damage and loss of vision, but they aren’t the only way your eyes can be damaged at work. Less serious injuries like eye strain from excessive screen time affect people across many industries.
Eye injuries are easily preventable if the right measures are taken to minimise risk.
Types of eye protection
PPE or personal protective equipment should be worn in the workplace if there is a risk of specific injury to the eyes or other body parts. Potential eye hazards in your workplace should be covered in your risk assessment — these may include:
- High-intensity light or optical radiation from lasers, welding or similar jobs.
- Splashes, spills and contamination from chemicals, dust, shrapnel, gasses or radiation.
- Toxic fumes caused by burning or combining chemicals.
- Flying debris from working with power tools.
Safety goggles
Safety goggles are the best way to protect your eyes from chemical splashes and harmful vapours. They create a protective seal, preventing liquids or debris from penetrating and damaging your eyes. They should always be worn when you’re working around dangerous liquids that could splash, spray or mist.Safety glasses
While safety glasses don’t create a seal around the eyes, they are more comfortable to wear and do a good job of protecting the eyes from flying shrapnel and other solid debris. They’re also ideal for visitors to potentially hazardous work environments.Types of eye pads
If an injury does occur in the workplace, having high-quality first aid provisions for the eyes is paramount. Eye pads and eye dressings protect an injured eye to facilitate healing and prevent further injury.
Sterile eye dressings
A sterile eye dressing is the best way to protect an eye wound while you wait for professional help to arrive or while you’re travelling to the hospital. It is a thick absorbent pad that goes over the eye and a long stretchy bandage to secure it.Adhesive eye pads
An adhesive eye pad is a convenient way to protect an injured eye without hassle or discomfort. The adhesive pad means you don’t have to worry about securing the dressing with a bandage over the head, which can be uncomfortable.Read our other blogs for more information on first aid or contact us for further advice and information on our products.
About the author:
Jo Stokes is a writer, marketer and trained first aider at First Aid Online.
Find out more about Jo.
By Jo Stokes