March is Workplace Eye Safety Awareness Month

Did you know that more than 2,000 eye injuries happen every day at workplaces across the United States? Shockingly, one out of every ten injuries requires the affected person to take time off from work to recover. What's even more concerning is that 10% to 20% of these injuries could cause temporary or permanent vision loss. While many people think that eye injuries only occur in construction, trade, or manufacturing jobs, the truth is that nearly 40% of work-related eye injuries happen in healthcare facilities, offices, laboratories, and similar work environments. Experts in safety and eye care agree that the right eye protection can significantly reduce the severity of these injuries and even prevent up to 90% of them.

Flying objects, particles, tools, chemicals, and harmful radiation are the leading causes of eye injuries. Many of these injuries can be entirely prevented by implementing safe workplace practices and using appropriate protective eyewear. March is recognized as Workplace Eye Safety Awareness Month, providing an excellent opportunity to remind everyone about a few essential tips to protect their eyes from potential harm.

To prevent eye injuries in the workplace, there are several things you can do:

1. Before starting work, eliminate any hazards by using machine guards, work screens, or other engineering controls.
2. Always wear the appropriate safety eyewear, even if you are just passing through a potentially hazardous area.
3. If working in an area with lots of particles or dust, wear safety goggles with side shields to protect against foreign objects from entering your eyes.
4. When working with chemicals, always wear safety goggles or face shields to protect against splashing.
5. When working around hazardous radiation such as welding, fiber optics, and lasers, use specially designed safety goggles and helmets.
6. Keep safety eyewear in good condition and replace it when necessary.

It is crucial to remember that even small measures like wearing safety glasses can significantly minimize the risk of eye injuries in the workplace. These injuries not only result in pain but can also lead to prolonged periods of absence from work and, in some cases, permanent loss of vision. While March is officially recognized as Workplace Eye Safety Awareness Month, it is important to maintain the habit of wearing safety glasses throughout the year.