WRITTEN BY GARY SMITH, APARTMENT BUILDING MANAGEMENT WORKERS COMPENSATION SELF INSURED FUND
According to Prevent Blindness®, a non-profit dedicated to preventing blindness and preserving sight, more than 700,000 Americans injure their eyes at work each year. Additionally, it’s estimated that over 90 percent of these injuries are preventable with the use of appropriate eye protection. So, what actions can be taken by employers?
The best defenses to prevent eye injuries are:
- Know the eye safety dangers at work by completing a personal protective equipment (PPE) hazard assessment and equipment selection. Employers are required to document their assessment and selection for PPE.
- Eliminate hazards before starting work. Use machine guards, work screens, and other engineering controls.
- Require the use of proper eye protection.
Employers are also required to provide PPE to employees without cost, in most all cases. Providing prescription safety eyewear is not required when an over-the-glass (OTG) style of eye protection is made available.
To help employers comply with the requirements of General Industry Part 33 – Personal Protective Equipment, MIOSHA prepared PPE Guide SP#16. A copy is available at http://www.michigan.gov/documents/dleg/deleg_wsh_cetsp16_336065_7.doc.
The types of eye protection that employees should wear depends on the hazards in the workplace. If working in an area that has particles, flying objects, or dust, then employees must at least wear safety glasses with side protection (i.e., side shields). If working with chemicals, then employees should wear goggles to protect against splashes. If working near hazardous radiation (e.g., welding, lasers, or fiber optics), then employees must use special-purpose safety glasses, goggles, face shields, or helmets designed for that task. Protective eye wear should be worn by anyone working in or passing through areas that pose eye hazards. Management should be prepared to lead by example and always wear eye protection in these areas.
What is the difference between glass, plastic, and polycarbonate lenses? All three types of safety lenses meet or exceed ANSI Z-87.1 requirements for eye protection.
Glass lenses
- Are not easily scratched
- Can be used around harsh chemicals
- Can be made in your corrective prescription
- Are sometimes heavy and uncomfortable
- Plastic lenses
- Are lighter weight
- Protect against welding splatter
- Are not likely to fog
- Are not as scratch-resistant as glass
Polycarbonate lenses
- Are lightweight
- Protect against welding splatter
- Are not likely to fog
- Are stronger than glass and plastic
- Are more impact resistant than glass or plastic
- Are not as scratch resistant as glass
To help encourage consistent use of eye protection, employers can offer several style choices of safety glasses, lanyards to keep them at hand, and anti-fog cleaning solution. These workplace practices make it easier for employees to develop, and maintain, their habit of using eye protection.
Lastly, conduct ongoing educational programs to create, keep up, and highlight the need for protective eyewear. Add eye safety to regular employee training programs and to new employee orientation.
Should you require additional information or assistance with preventing eye injuries in the workplace, please contact Gary Smith, CRM, at (517) 338-3367 or gary.smith@yorkrsg.com.
Resources:
- MIOSHA General Industry Part 33 – Personal Protective Equipment at http://www.michigan.gov/documents/CIS_WSH_part33_34779_7.pdf
- CDC/NIOSH Workplace Eye Safety at https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/eye/default.html
- OSHA Eye & Face Protection at https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/eyefaceprotection/index.html
- Preventing Blindness America at http://www.preventblindness.org