All In Favor, Say Eye
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No one can put a value on his or her eyesight—it’s priceless, and should be treated that way. Doing everything you can to protect your eyes on the job by following your company’s eye safety guidelines and using appropriate protective eyewear can help save your sight.
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 many 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.
Safe@Work is brought to you by Federated Insurance®. This article is for general information and risk prevention purposes only and should not be considered legal, medical, or other expert advice. It is not a guarantee that the risk of loss will be eliminated or reduced. Always consult your personal physician for questions regarding your health concerns. Qualified counsel should be sought regarding questions specific to your circumstances.
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