Eye injury At Work?

EYE INJURIES IN THE WORKPLACE

Accidents involving the eyes can have potentially sight-threatening consequences.  There are two main workplace hazards that are a potential threat to eyesight.

COMPUTER USE

While using a computer does not generally cause permanent eye damage there are important safety issues which should be taken into consideration by employers. It is not the screen directly that is likely to cause personal injury to the eyes, but factors such as bad posture, bad lighting or dry eyes leading to eye strain.

Employers should encourage their staff to take frequent screen breaks to rest tired eyes. This can help to prevent headaches. They should also ensure that there is adequate lighting for the task and that the glare from the screen is kept to a minimum. Employees should wear glasses if required.

CHEMICALS AND INDUSTRIAL MACHINERY

The second risk to the eyes is potentially more serious and occurs when using chemicals of industrial machinery. Industrial work presents a potential danger to the eyes particularly for people who are operating any sort of pressing or grinding equipment. It is essential that the correct eye protection is worn and it is the responsibility of the employer to provide this.

When using a welding torch it is always necessary to wear a welding mask. The intense bright light of a welding torch can cause lasting damage to the retina and cornea.

Workers should handle chemicals using the manufacturer’s specific guidelines or on site-specific instructions.  This will often mean the use of safety goggles to avoid potentially harmful splashes to the eye.  Even if you are observing the task you should always wear the same eye protection as the worker carrying out the task.