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March is Workplace Eye Safety Month

More than 2,000 people injure their eyes at work every day, according to the Prevent Blindness America organization. Ten percent of those injuries require missed work days, and a significant number cause temporary or permanent vision loss. Yet experts say that the right eye protection could have prevented as many as 90 percent of those injuries.

As Workplace Eye Safety Month, March is a good time for reviewing ways to keep your eyes safe, both at work and at home.

Common causes of eye injuries are flying objects, such as bits of metal and glass, tools, particles and chemicals.

The best defense against eye injuries is to wear safety eyewear whenever there is a chance of eye injury. Anyone working in or passing through areas that pose eye hazards should also wear protective eyewear.

Three things can help prevent injuries:

Use proper eye protection. Proper protection includes goggles, safety glasses, face shields, welding helmets and full-face respirators. If you have any questions concerning where eye protection is required or where to obtain eye protection, contact the plant safety department or your supervisor.
Eliminate hazards before you start working. Use work screens, machine guarding or other engineering controls.
Study your work area and learn the potential eye dangers.