Preserving your best assets
If you had to choose to keep one of your five senses, which would you choose? A recent survey of Australians found the majority of participants value their vision above all of their other senses.
With poor vision also comes an increased risk of occupational injury with uncorrected or untreated vision resulting in a significantly increased risk of occupational injury.
According to the World Health Organization data, more than 50 million eye injuries occur each and 1.6 million of these resulting in low vision or blindness in one eye. With more than 50% of eye injuries occurring at work it is important to ensure not only that your eyes are protected, but that you maintain your vision with regular eye examinations and prescription eye protection, when necessary.
Industries where workers commonly sustain an eye injury include construction and manufacturing industries, agriculture, forestry and fishing and mining. Many task in the mining industry result in eye hazards, including from mechanical equipment, chemicals and sources of radiation. Activities undertaken that generate particles travelling at high speed can result in foreign bodies that become embedded in the eye. Introducing the right eye protection and widespread education programs can help to minimise eye injury rates and potential vision loss.
Different environments and tasks, as well as different individuals, require different types of personal protective equipment and eye protection is no different. Poorly fitting frames and lens or incorrect selection of eye protection can result in eye protection failing. Choosing the correct protection is critical to ensure adequate protection to suit the needs of the individual, their activities and environment.
Sunglass or regular spectacles will not provide the right eye protection in the workplace and it is important to seek the advice of professionals such as Optometrists, Ophthalmologists and specialist eye protection suppliers.
Not surprisingly, eye injuries can still occur when people wear right eye protection that is wrong for their needs or activity.
The use of the incorrect eye protection at work can present added danger to the wearer if the frame or lenses shatter and crack as result of an impact or chemical splash.
Eye protection must meet the European Standard (EN166) and be fitted under the advice of a professional.
The risk of an injury at work increases by as much as 50% for workers who have uncorrected vision. This highlights the importance of regular eye examinations, particularly important in an aging workforce, to ensure that workers have the best possible vision. People requiring prescription safety eyewear for good vision can purchase eye protection made specific to their prescription and meeting the standard.
Don’t risk losing your vision – wear the right eye protection at any time your eyes are exposed to hazards and ensure you have the best possible vision with regular eye examinations.
