Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Eye Protection
Eye Injury Statistics:
There are more than 2.5 million eye injuries every year.
Eye injuries cost employers $300,000,000 every year.
90% of eye injuries could have been easily prevented simply by wearing safety glasses.
$300 million divided by 2.5 million injuries means that each eye injury cost about $120. Safety glasses cost less than $5.
Common Eye Hazards
Gases, vapors, liquids
Dusts or powders, fumes, and mists.
Flying objects or particles
Slashing metals
Thermal and radiation hazards
Electrical hazards
The OSHA Construction standard for eye protection can be found in 1926.102
ARCO requires everyone to wear safety glasses 100% of the time while on the jobsite.
Activities that create flying particles or sparks (cutting, grinding, chipping, etc.) may require additional protection such as a full face shield.
Maintaining and cleaning your eye can be just as important as actually wearing it. Dirty or scratched safety glasses make it difficult to see and create a greater hazard. If you need a new pair ask your supervisor.
You may hear people say “I don’t like to wear them because they get dirty and/or scratched.” If the glasses are getting dirty/scratched, if you don’t wear them what’s getting dirty and scratched?!!
If you want to add a personal touch, talk about the things they won’t be able to see if they suffer an eye injury: kids, sports, movies, sunsets, etc. etc. etc.
