Potential Eye Hazards at Work and Ways to Protect Your Eyes from Injury

A staggering 300,000 Americans get hospitalized each year for eye injuries caused at workplace. The numbers clearly prove that eye injuries not only pose a threat to workers’ safety, but also result in loss for employers.

Every workplace environment is different from another. There are certain occupations that have a high risk of eye injuries including mining, construction, carpentry, manufacturing, auto repair, plumbing, welding, electrical work, and maintenance.

In order to protect your precious vision and avoid instances of injuries, it is better to look into possible work safety options.

Common Workplace Eye Hazards to Watch Out for

A majority of eye injuries occur at work. Whether you are working in the janitorial department or are responsible for conducting tests in labs, here we have listed the most common type of eye hazards that are prevalent in workplaces.

a)    Chemicals

If you work in a factory or a laboratory, the most common type of eye hazard that you must protect yourself against is chemicals. Whether it is a chemical splash or fumes emitting from it, your eyes are at a great risk of injury. Furthermore, chemical eye injuries are the worst and are often irreversible, which means that if you work with chemicals or around them, it is best to be proactive and follow proper occupational health and safety guidelines for your eyes.

b)    Flying Objects

If you work in a place where you are exposed to flying particles and objects like wood, twigs, and dirt, it is best to keep your eyes protected using glasses or a face shield. Flying particles can be harmful for the eyes, resulting in poor vision, injuries, and disrupted focus.

c)     Heat

If you work in a construction, mining, or industrial company, you might be at a risk of getting eye injuries resulting from high temperatures, splashes of molten lava, etc. All of these elements can be highly dangerous and can result in long-term eye injuries that will not only keep you from working, but will also land you in a hospital.

Other workplace hazards include dust and optical radiation that are also very dangerous.

Safety Gear for Preventing Possible Eye Injuries at Workplace

If you work in an environment with a potential risk of eye injuries, it is important to invest in proper workplace safety gear. Experts believe that 90% of eye injuries can be prevented with proper eye protection measures.

The best way to protect your eyes from any type of workplace injury is to wear eye protection glasses. These glasses look like normal eyewear, but are made using medically approved protective lenses that offer complete protection to the eyes. The lenses and the frames of these glasses are much more durable and made using special materials. You can also get safety sunglasses to prevent injuries that may occur at your workplace.