Eye Safety is often overlooked until something goes wrong. Given that our eyes help us experience and interact with the world, safeguarding our vision is crucial. From workplace hazards to the strains of daily life, here are key insights and practical tips for maintaining eye health and safety.
Understand the Risks to Your Eyes
Eye hazards can pop up in numerous environments, not just industrial settings. Here are common risks:
- Workplace hazards: Construction sites, manufacturing plants, and labs often have flying particles, chemicals, or bright lights that can harm your eyes.
- Digital strain: Long hours in front of screens can cause eye strain, dryness, and headaches.
- Sun exposure: UV radiation can lead to cataracts, photokeratitis (sunburn of the eyes), and long-term damage to the retina.
Essential Eye Safety Equipment (PPE)
Personal protective equipment (PPE) is a must for eye safety, particularly in environments with potential hazards. The type of PPE needed depends on the situation:
- Safety glasses: For general protection against flying particles, safety glasses with side shields are a common solution.
- Goggles: For environments with chemical splashes or dust, goggles provide a closer fit and better protection.
- Face shields: Often used alongside other eye protection, face shields provide an additional layer of defence in settings where chemical splashes or high-impact particles are common.
- UV-blocking sunglasses: Outdoor work or activities require sunglasses that block 99-100% of UVA and UVB rays to protect from long-term sun damage.
Screen Time and Eye Strain
With increased screen time, eye strain is a growing concern. The symptoms often include dry eyes, headaches, blurred vision, and neck pain. Employees should take short breaks to look away from their screens to reduce strain.
Other helpful tips for reducing digital eye strain:
- Adjust screen settings: Lower brightness, increase contrast, and ensure text size is comfortable for reading.
- Position screens: Position your monitor about an arm’s length away and slightly below eye level.
- Blink often: Staring at screens reduces our natural blink rate. Make a conscious effort to blink to keep your eyes moist.
- Use blue light filters: Many devices have built-in blue light filters, or you can wear blue light-blocking glasses.
Safe Practices for Eye Care
Protecting your eyes goes beyond wearing the right equipment. Here are general habits that contribute to eye health:
- Routine eye exams: Regular eye check-ups can catch potential issues early and ensure your prescription is up-to-date if you wear glasses or contacts.
- Good hygiene with contact lenses: If you wear contact lenses, always wash your hands before handling them, use the correct cleaning solution, and never wear them longer than recommended.
- Stay hydrated: Dry eyes can be a sign of dehydration, so ensure you drink enough water throughout the day.
- Balanced diet: Nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids, lutein, and vitamins C and E are known to support eye health.
Immediate Steps if Eye Injuries Occur
Accidents happen, and knowing how to respond promptly can make a big difference in recovery:
- For chemical exposure: Rinse the eye immediately with clean water for at least 15 minutes, then seek medical help.
- For foreign particles: Avoid rubbing the eye. Blink or use eye wash to remove the particle, but if it remains, visit a healthcare provider.
- For cuts or punctures: Do not try to remove the object or apply pressure. Cover the eye with a clean cloth and seek immediate medical attention.
- For eye strain: Rest your eyes and apply a warm compress if they feel tired. Adjust your work environment if necessary to reduce future strain.
Raising Awareness at Work
Employers can prevent eye injuries by encouraging eye safety:
- Training and awareness programs: Employers can implement eye safety training and keep workers informed about PPE and safe practices.
- Proper signage: Eye protection signs and reminders in high-risk areas can help reinforce the importance of wearing PPE.
- Emergency eyewash stations: Workplaces should have accessible eyewash stations to allow for quick action in case of exposure to irritants.
- Assess and address risks: Employers should complete a thorough risk assessment for all workers, regardless if they work in a factory or behind a desk. Assessing and understanding risks is essential for preventing injury.
How can oneSAFE help?
Whether in front of a screen, or working outside, protecting our eyes from hazards is essential. Awareness, protective equipment, and healthy habits can go a long way in preventing eye injuries and preserving vision.
oneSAFE provides a platform for employers to document injuries, risks or incidents, allowing you to maintain clear safety records and make informed changes within your workplace to ensure the safety of your people.
Contact the oneSAFE team today for support with managing eye risks within your workplace.
Email: contact@onehrsoftware.com
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