Fact
Sheets: Eye Protection in the Workplace
Every
day an estimated 1,000 eye injuries occur in American
workplaces. The financial cost of these injuries is enormous --
more than $300 million per year in lost production time, medical
expenses, and workers' compensation. No dollar figure can
adequately reflect the personal toll these accidents take on the
injured workers.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the
25 states and territories operating their own job safety and
health programs are determined to help reduce eye injuries. In
concert with efforts by concerned voluntary groups, OSHA has
begun a nationwide information campaign to improve workplace eye
protection.
Take a moment to think about possible eye hazards at your
workplace. A survey by the Labor Department's Bureau of Labor
Statistics (BLS) reveals how and why many on-the-job accidents
occur.
What Contributes to Eye Injuries at Work?
Not wearing eye protection. BLS reports that nearly three
out of every five workers injured were not wearing eye
protection at the time of the accident. Wearing the wrong kind
of eye protection for the job. About 40% of the injured workers
were wearing some form of eye protection when the accident
occurred. These workers were most likely to be wearing
protective eyeglasses with no side shields, though, injuries
among employees wearing full-cup or flat-fold side shields
occurred, as well.
What causes eye injuries?
Flying particles. BLS found that almost 70% of the accidents
studied resulted from flying or falling objects or sparks
striking the eye. Injured workers estimated that nearly
three-fifths of the objects were smaller than a pin head. Most
of the particles were said to be traveling faster than a
hand-thrown object when the accident occurred. Contact with
chemicals caused one-fifth of the injuries. Other accidents were
caused by objects swinging from a fixed or attached position,
like tree limbs, ropes, chains, or tools which were pulled into
the eye while the worker was using them.
Where do accidents occur most often?
Craft work; industrial equipment operation. Potential eye
hazards can be found in nearly every industry, but BLS reported
that more than 40% of injuries occurred among craft workers,
like mechanics, repairers, carpenters, and plumbers. Over a
third of the injured workers were operatives, such as
assemblers, sanders, and grinding machine operators. Laborers
suffered about one-fifth of the eye injuries. Almost half the
injured workers were employed in manufacturing; slightly more
than 20% were in construction.
HOW CAN EYE INJURIES BE PREVENTED?
Always wear effective eye protection. OSHA standards require
that employers provide workers with suitable eye protection. To
be effective, the eyewear must be of the appropriate type for
the hazard encountered and properly fitted. For example, the BLS
survey showed that 94% of the injuries to workers wearing eye
protection resulted from objects or chemicals going around or
under the protector. Eye protective devices should allow for air
to circulate between the eye and the lens. Only 13 workers
injured while wearing eye protection reported breakage.
Nearly one-fifth of the injured workers with eye protection wore
face shields or welding helmets. However, only six percent of
the workers injured while wearing eye protection wore goggles,
which generally offer better protection for the eyes. Best
protection is afforded when goggles are worn with face shields.
Better training and education. BLS reported that most workers
were hurt while doing their regular jobs. Workers injured while
not wearing protective eyewear most often said they believed it
was not required by the situation. Even though the vast majority
of employers furnished eye protection at no cost to employees,
about 40% of the workers received no information on where and
what kind of eyewear should be used.
Maintenance. Eye protection devices must be properly
maintained. Scratched and dirty devices reduce vision, cause
glare and may contribute to accidents.
WHERE CAN I GET MORE INFORMATION?
Your nearest OSHA area office. Safety and health experts are
available to explain mandatory requirements for effective eye
protection and answer questions. They can also refer you to an
on-site consultation service available in nearly every state
through which you can get free, penalty-free advice for
eliminating possible eye hazards, designing a training program,
or other safety and health matters.
Don't know where the nearest federal or state office is? Call an
OSHA Regional Office at the U.S. Department of Labor in Boston,
New York, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Kansas City,
Denver, San Francisco, or Seattle.
The National Society to Prevent Blindness. This voluntary health
organization is dedicated to preserving sight and has developed
excellent information and training materials for preventing eye
injuries at work. Its 26 affiliates nationwide may also provide
consultation in developing effective eye safety programs. For
more information and a publications catalog, write the National
Society to Prevent Blindness, 79 Madison Ave., New York, NY
10016-7896.
EYE PROTECTION WORKS!
BLS reported that more than 50% of workers injured while
wearing eye protection thought the eyewear had minimized their
injuries. But nearly half the workers also felt that another
type of protection could have better prevented or reduced the
injuries they suffered.
It is estimated that 90% of eye injuries can be prevented
through the use of proper protective eyewear. That is our goal
and, by working together, OSHA, employers, workers, and health
organizations can make it happen.