Foresight, before no sight!
Eye injuries at workplace are a common cause of lost days at work, reduced productivity, as well as medical and workers compensation costs. For the unlucky worker, the worst scenarios and vision loss. The burden is significant not only to workers, but also to industry and the community.
Industries where workers commonly sustain an eye injury include the construction and manufacturing industries, agriculture, forestry and fishing and mining industries.. Hazards exist from tasks being undertaken that can generate foreign bodies travelling at high speed. Many task and activities in the mining industry result in eye hazards, including mechanical equipment, chemicals, flying foreign bodies that can become embedded in the eye and sources of radiation. Introducing the right eye protection and widespread education programs can help to minimise eye injury rates and resulting vision loss.
Different environments and tasks require different type of personal protective equipment, eye protection is no different. Poorly fitting frames and lens or incorrect selection of eye protection can increase the risk of eye protection failure. Choosing the correct protection is critical to ensure adequate protection to suit the needs of the individual in their activities.
Sunglass or regular spectacles will not provide the right eye protection in the workplace/ Seek the advice of professionals such as Optometrists and PPE Suppliers. Not surprisingly, many eye injuries occur when people were not wearing the right eye protection. The use of the incorrect type of eye protection at work can present additional danger to the wearer if lenses shatter and crack as result of an impact of high speed objects or chemical splash. Eye protection must meet the European Standard (EN166). People requiring a prescription safety eyewear for good vision can also purchase the right type of eye protector made specific to their prescription and meeting the standards.
Spending long hours outside means protection from ultraviolet (UV) light is critical. Outdoor workers should be encouraged to not just use protection for their skin but alongside a pair of eye protectors, which incorporates UV and glare protection. By selecting the right protection for the eyes can not only guard eyes from sun’s UV rays but impact of hazardous flying objects and chemicals too.
If you have to choose to keep on of your five senses, which one this will be? A recent survey of Australians found the value their vision above all of their other senses. Don’t risk losing your vision – wear the right eye protection at any time your eyes are exposed to hazards at workplace and leisure. Eye protection is number one!
