December 2007

BE VIGILANT ABOUT WORKPLACE EYE SAFETY

According to the non-profit organization, Prevent Blindness America, more than 2,000 people injure their eyes at work every day. Approximately one in 10 of these injuries requires the employee to miss one or more workdays to recover. Between 10%-20% of all work-related eye injuries will cause temporary or permanent vision loss. Statistics like these prove the importance of following proper eye safety procedures at work. There are three basic rules you should always remember:

1. Wear eye protection for all hazardous activities.
2. Know where the eye first aid kit is kept. It should contain a rigid eye shield and commercial eyewash.
3. Don’t assume that an eye injury is harmless. When in doubt, see a doctor immediately.

When treating an eye injury, remember that the type of injury dictates the type of treatment. Prevent Blindness America recommends the following treatment procedures:

If an employee’s eye comes into contact with chemicals:

• Flush the eye with water immediately. If water isn’t available, you can use any drinkable liquid. Hold the eye under a faucet or shower, or pour water into the eye using a clean container. Keep the eye open and as wide as possible while flushing. Continue flushing for at least 15 minutes.
• Don’t use an eyecup.
• Don’t remove a contact lens that might be in the eye. Begin flushing over the lens immediately. This may wash away the lens.
• Don’t bandage the eye.
• Seek immediate medical treatment after flushing.

If the employee has dust particles or specks in their eye:

• Don’t rub the eye.
• Try to let tears wash the speck out or use eyewash.
• Try lifting the upper eyelid outward and down over the lower lid.
• Keep the eye closed if the speck doesn’t wash out, and bandage it lightly. See a doctor.

If an employee suffers a blow to the eye:

• Apply a cold compress without putting pressure on the eye. Crushed ice in a plastic bag can be taped to the forehead to rest gently on the injured eye.
• Seek emergency medical care if the employee experiences pain, reduced vision, or discoloration (black eye). Any of these symptoms could mean internal eye damage.

If the employee gets a cut or puncture of the eye or eyelid:

• Don’t wash out the eye with water or any other liquid.
• Don’t try to remove an object that is stuck in the eye.
• Cover the eye with a rigid shield without applying pressure. The bottom half of a paper cup can be used. See a doctor at once.