Protect Your Eyesight
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Eyesight is priceless and should be treated that way. Do everything you can to protect your eyes by following your company’s eye safety guidelines and always using appropriate protective eyewear on the job. Always.
Each job can present its own set of eye hazards. Recognizing the possibility of eye injury is the first step toward protecting yourself. Common worksite hazards include:
- Flying particles — typical to machine operations (grinding, sawing, etc.)
- Dusts — wood, metal, etc.
- Sparks from welding
- Fumes and splashes — from molten materials and chemicals
- Harmful light — gas and electric welding, furnace operations, etc.
Once you’ve assessed the risks associated with a particular situation, you can choose the proper gear best suited to offer the necessary protection. Be sure your protective eyewear meets ANSI standards, fits properly, is clean, and is in good condition. Replace any faulty or damaged eyewear immediately. It’s also important to remember that prescription eyeglasses, contacts, or sunglasses alone do not offer protection from eye hazards.
Safety Glasses
Designed primarily to protect against flying particles. The lenses are impact-resistant and the frames are much stronger than regular glasses. For added protection, safety glasses should be equipped with side shields, cups, or tinted lenses.
Safety Goggles
Safety goggles, like safety glasses, have impact-resistant lenses and can be tinted for additional protection. Goggles typically wrap around the entire eye area to protect against hazards coming from different directions. Goggles with indirect ventilation should be worn when working around splash hazards.
Shields and Helmets
Shields and helmets should be used with other eye protection. Full-face shields help prevent exposure to chemicals, heat, or glare. Helmets are used when working with molten materials.
Eye injuries are largely preventable. Added caution and proper protection could help you avoid a sight-stealing injury, and keep you safe at work.
This article is for general information and risk prevention only and should not be considered legal or other expert advice. The recommendations herein may help reduce, but are not guaranteed to eliminate any or all risk of loss. Qualified counsel should be sought with questions specific to your circumstances. © 2019 Federated Mutual Insurance Company®.
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