On the job, one of the best things you can do is to take steps to protect yourself against hazards. Whether it’s dangerous debris that could hurt your eyes or chemicals that could be squirted at you, it’s necessary to do all you can to prevent accidents and injuries.
Your employer knows about the personal protective equipment (PPE) that is necessary for your job and should provide it for you. Unfortunately, that is not the case for everyone, and many people do suffer from injuries as a result.
What are the most common causes of workplace eye injuries?
Some common causes of eye injuries on the job include:
- Chemical exposure
- Harmful radiation
- Tools
- Flying objects
- Particles or particulates
- A combination of hazards
How can you protect your eyes against injury?
To protect your eyes against injury, you should first remember to know the eye safety dangers that you are most likely to be exposed to.
Next, eliminate those hazards before you start working (when possible). Use work screens, machine guarding or other controls.
Finally, use the right eye protection. You should use goggles, shields or other eye protection that is designed for the work that you’re going to be performing.
Common kinds of safety eyewear include:
- Welding helmets
- Full-face respirators
- Face shields
- Goggles
- Prescription or nonprescription safety glasses
With this information, you can make better choices in the workplace and take steps to prevent accidents and injuries. If you are still hurt, you may want to start a workers’ compensation claim and to take steps toward recovering your financial losses.
