How to Prevent Workplace Eye Injury Risk by Industry | Workplace Eye Wellness Month

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, thousands of workers sustain eye injuries every day in the United States. Many of these eye injuries are minor. However, some injuries lead to emergency room visits, missed workdays, and may even threaten vision. 

The American Academy of Ophthalmology reports that workplace eye injuries cost 300 million in lost wages, medical treatment, and workers’ compensation. Many of these workplace eye injuries are preventable. 
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March is Workplace Eye Wellness Month, designated to raise awareness of workplace eye risks and the precautions needed to reduce eye injuries.

The first step in preventing eye injuries at work is understanding the risks. Certain industries may increase the risk of different types of eye injuries and may require varied safety precautions. 

Below is information on the industries that pose the highest risk of eye injuries and what you can do to protect your vision. 
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Manufacturing and industrial settings

According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, manufacturing has one of the highest incidences of eye injuries. Manufacturing environments often involve exposure to airborne particles and different types of pressurized systems and machinery. Employees may be exposed to dust, chemical sprays, metal shavings, and other projectiles that may enter the eye. 

Traumatic injuries can also occur during manufacturing jobs. For example, if a part breaks loose and strikes the eye, this can lead to a traumatic eye injury. 

How to protect your eyes in manufacturing jobs:

• Wear goggles: Protecting your eyes in a manufacturing job starts with wearing impact-resistant goggles. If possible, goggles should also have side shields to prevent projectiles from impacting the eye from different angles.
• Adherence to protocols: It is also critical for employees to adhere to workplace safety protocols and practice routine equipment maintenance to ensure machinery is functioning properly. 

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Construction

It may be no surprise that construction workers also face a high risk of eye injuries. Using tools, such as saws and drills, can cause particles of metal, concrete, and wood to fly into the air and become embedded in the eye. Small particles of flying debris can cause corneal scratches and foreign-body injuries.

Protect your eyes in construction jobs: 

• Wear safety goggles: Wearing ANSI-rated safety goggles is the number one way to reduce construction-related eye injuries. Wraparound safety glasses are also an option. 
• Consider face shields: If you are performing high-impact work where flying debris is likely, wearing face shields can also reduce eye injuries.
• Stay consistent: It is critical for workers to reach for safety goggles or face shields even when performing quick tasks.  It's easy to let your guard down when completing a brief job and skip the eyewear. However, an eye injury can happen in a second. 

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Healthcare and laboratory work

It may be surprising that healthcare and laboratory workers may also face the risk of eye injuries.  Eye injuries in the healthcare industry typically do not involve blunt trauma. Instead, the risk of eye injury comes from bodily fluids, infectious droplets, and chemical splashes that can enter the eye.  For example, in laboratory environments, biological agents and solvents can splash into the eyes, leading to chemical burns.

In healthcare settings, such as hospitals, infectious droplets from bodily fluids like blood can also enter the eyes, posing a risk to overall health and disease. 

Protect the eyes in healthcare and laboratory settings:

• Wear splash-proof goggles: Splash-proof goggles can help reduce the risk of a serious eye injury in a laboratory setting.
• Wear face shields: Health workers should wear face shields during high-risk procedures, such as drawing blood.
• Have quick access to eyewash stations: Healthcare and laboratory settings should have easily accessible eyewash stations that employees are trained to use.

If you sustain any type of eye injury at work, it's best to seek immediate evaluation to decrease the risk of permanent eye damage. 

We hope the above information provides an important reminder on the benefits of protective eyewear. If you would like to schedule an eye appointment with one of our eye doctors, please call our office at 508-746-8600.