Most people think wearing safety eyewear at work lessens bodily damage. Keeping employees’ eyes healthy is just as important.
Eye injuries and infections in the workplace reduce productivity, yet both are preventable. This page describes how to prevent workplace injuries and illnesses and various methods.
Damage Prevention
Eye protection at work is easy and quick. Eye injuries may be avoided by using protective eyewear.
Avoiding eye injury is convenient but not simple. Getting everyone to use protective eyewear involves a few steps. Examples:
Identifying hazards.
This includes identifying and analysing eye-hazardous tasks and equipment. Flying items, chemicals, radiation, and infected blood may injure the eyes. Various jobs expose employees to many eye safety dangers.
Standardize eye protection.
Make something everyone wants. Prevent Blindness advocates for “a 100% mandated plan for eye protection in all sectors” because “a broad programme prevents more harm and is easier to administer” than a field- or job-specific one.
Obtaining a suitable pair of glasses
Good-fitting, comfortable eyeglasses improve the likelihood of use. Unquestionable value of well-fitted eyeglasses. OSHA requires employees to wear suitable eye and facial protection.
Preparedness measures and drills
Emergency plans should include first aid methods, eyewash stations, and training to recognise and treat eye injuries.
Establishing a schedule for caring for your glasses
In addition to an eyewear policy and emergency plan, promote safety glass maintenance habits. One should constantly inspect, replace, and clean eyeglasses.
Preventing Diseases
Eye problems may occur as a result of occupational dangers. Furthermore, owing to the nature of their jobs or the environment in which they work, many working people are often exposed to eye diseases. The following list is some of the most frequent occupational eye ailments, disorders, and possible remedies.
Illness Transmission Through Contact
Workers in some sectors may be exposed to various illnesses and the risk of eye impairment. Blood splashes, droplets from coughing and sneezing, and touching one’s eyes with infected hands may all result in a disease that causes lifelong eye damage. The potential consequences, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), vary from “mild reddening or irritation of the eye” to “life-threatening illnesses such as HIV, hepatitis B virus, or avian influenza.” The COVID-19 virus may also enter the body via the eyes. The eyes serve as a doorway. Prescription Safety Glasses is vital for protecting against possible occupational risks.
Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS) Symptoms
CVS is one of the most common eye problems that employees must deal with. CVS occurs when an individual’s eyes are forced to work too hard for too long to see electronic displays. Although eye strain does not cause lasting damage to the eyes, it can substantially influence workplace productivity. It is essential to take precautions to minimise and reduce eye strain and tiredness. Taking regular breaks and even wearing blue-light-blocking eyewear are effective strategies to avoid CVS.
An ailment of Dry Eyes
Dry eye disease (DED) is characterised by reduced tear production, which creates a gritty sensation, impaired vision, and eyelid twitching, among other symptoms. Dry eye syndrome is another name for a dry eye condition. DED may be caused by exposure to wind or smoke at work and blinking less often during long periods of computer work or other jobs demanding intense concentration.
A physician may be necessary to treat DED in addition to the advice offered for reducing the symptoms of CVS. This may be required for either direct illness treatment or therapy for an underlying ailment that is the source of the issue. If left untreated, DED may cause eye infections or injury, as well as a decrease in productivity or the inability to do specific jobs. Eye infections and damage may be avoided with treatment.
Ailments Linked to the Use of Fluorescent Lighting
Some specialists believe that fluorescent lighting causes eye problems such as cataracts and age-related macular degeneration because it exposes the eyes to possibly hazardous UV rays. Dry eyes, double vision, light sensitivity, and headaches are all potential side effects of prolonged exposure to fluorescent lights. In addition to inadequate illumination and fluorescent lights with tiny bulbs, overhead lighting may contribute to eye strain and headaches.
Consider discussing healthier alternatives to fluorescent lighting with your colleagues and bosses. You never know; your concern may be the spark that ignites a change movement.
Using existing resources is an essential strategy that can be taken to reduce the incidence of occupational eye injuries and diseases. To solve a problem, you do not have to start from scratch. You should begin with OSHA standards and work your way up to a complete strategy addressing typical workplace dangers and those specific to your organisation. The next step is to think about alternative ways to enhance eye health, such as changing the lighting in your office or investing in custom-made protective eyewear.
Vision is a priceless gift. The good news is that stopping its degeneration and loss does not have to be a complex or challenging operation. We hope the above resources will give you the information you need to improve your job’s eye health and safety.
