Protecting Your Eyes at Work
Now that it’s Workplace Eye Health and Safety Month we need to think about eye protection at work. When there is successful eye protection the number of injuries declines precipitously. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health reminds us that about 2,000 workers get eye injuries each day. Most of the incidents causing these injuries can be avoided with proper protective eyewear.
Corneal injuries are common. They can happen as a result of chemicals and cuts by foreign objects. When doing any type of work that puts your eyes at risk for damage make certain to wear some type of safety glasses, mask, or goggles. Maintaining cleanliness is also very important. Proper hand washing protects your eyes by defending against bacterial transmission. This is the first line of defense in protecting your health.
If you are working at a site where there is the possibility of flying objects such as metal chips and wood chips safety eyewear can prevent extremely hazardous situations from becoming tragic accidents. Prevent corneal damage. Avoid steam burns and infrared and ultraviolet exposure. Safety eyewear is available for prescription wear in many stylish designs. When you are purchasing your eyewear be certain that the products you select meet OSHA guidelines and those of the American National Standards Institute too.
Many of those who work with computers for long hours also get eye injuries. Problems like eyestrain, headaches, blurred vision, dry eyes, and neck and shoulder pain are common, but there is a way these problems can be avoided. Reducing poor ergonomics such as inadequate lighting, poor posture or screen glare can lead to remarkable improvement. Correcting long-standing vision problems will also bring better sight and reduce stress. Vision problems including nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism should always be a priority.
When you wear proper face and eye protection, the odds are in your favor that your eyes will not be injured. Visit us at Optics&EYECARE to get the eye protection you need for your workplace.
