It’s estimated that over 2,000 workers injure their eyes at work each day. One out of ten of these injuries results in a worker having to take time away from work to recover.
While this is somewhat surprising, preparing and protecting can help prevent all eye injuries. Common eye injuries that occur in work settings are striking and scraping injuries.
What are scraping and striking eye injuries?
If you work in manufacturing, construction or another heavy-duty environment, you are exposed to small particles daily. This includes wood chips, metal slivers, cement chips, dust and more.
After the particles become loose, they can cause harm to nearby workers in several ways. Whether they fall from above or the wind carries them, this is true. When larger pieces get loose, they can cause even more damage, including serious trauma to your eye socket, eyeball and more.
How to prevent these injuries
A best practice to prevent this type of injury is to utilize simple safety precautions at work. This can make a huge difference.
One way to do this is by making sure some signs indicate when hazardous work is being done overhead or nearby. It’s also necessary to ensure workers are trained on the proper techniques around these particles. Along with protective goggles and hardhats, workers around small particles should also use respirators to avoid potential lung damage.
Protecting your eyes at work
Taking steps to protect your eyes at work is essential. If you do suffer an at-work eye injury, be sure to report it to your employer right away. Get to know your legal options, as well. This will ensure you get the benefits you deserve.
