EYE PROTECTION
Arkansas Workers’ Compensation Commission/ Health & Safety Division
www.awcc.state.ar.us   1-800-622-4472   FAX: 501-683-3169
Health&Safety@awcc.state.ar.us

GOAL

This program is designed to provide information on the different types of eye protection, causes of eye injuries and first aid.

OBJECTIVE

Employees will know the risks to the eyes associated with their work areas, the means of protection necessary to prevent eye injuries, and first aid treatment for different injuries.		

INTRODUCTION

In the time it takes to blink your eyes, an accident could happen that could permanently damage your eyes.  Many eye injuries can be prevented with the proper training and equipment.  It is the responsibility of the employer and employee to keep eye injuries from occurring in the workplace.

BACKGROUND

Every year, approximately 100,000 workers suffer serious eye injuries.  Of these injuries, 9 out of 10 could have been avoided by following safety procedures and wearing appropriate eye protection.  The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported 3 out of 5 workers who sustained an eye injury wore no protection.  Of those workers who were wearing eye protection, 40% were wearing the wrong eye protection.  As a result, the cost of eye injuries to industry is over $330,000,000 annually.

TYPES

There are many different types of eye protection available on the market.  The main difference between safety glasses and regular glasses is resistance to impact.  The design, construction, testing, and use of eye protection purchased before July 5, 1994, must be in accordance with American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Z87.1-1968, USA Standard Practice for Occupational and Educational Eye and Face Protection. This standard also requires the manufacturer’s monogram on each lens and a “Z87" on all component parts. Protective eyewear purchased after July 5, 1994, must comply with ANSI Z87.1-1989, American National Standard Practice for Occupational and Educational Eye and Face Protection.

An understanding of the causes and means of prevention along with proper training and equipment can effectively reduce the risk of eye injuries.

CAUSES

Eye injuries can be separated into three different categories: physical, chemical, and thermal/radiation.  The hazards associated with each category are numerous.  A few common hazards are sparks, splash, glare and heat.  Each requires specific types of eyewear which will be discussed later. 

HIGH IMPACT
When we think of an eye injury, we usually think of something large striking the eye from in front - such as a flying chunk of rock.  Hanging objects (ropes, chains, cables) and protruding objects (metal hooks, racks, boards) are also safety hazards.  When around these types of hazards, high-impact protection, such as safety glasses or goggles with lenses of polycarbonate,  is needed.  Polycarbonate is the most impact-resistant material used in safety glasses.  In choosing protective eyewear, remember that while goggles offer overall protection, safety glasses may be the best choice if the job requires plenty of side vision. 

HIGH-SPEED PARTICLES

By far the most common eye hazards and causes of eye injury in the shop are fast-moving small particles, such as dust and debris from sanding, grinding, chipping and similar operations. A fast-moving particle smaller than a grain of sand can cause a great deal of damage to an unprotected eye.  Even relatively slow-moving fine particles such as dust can scratch the eye’s surface.  When choosing safety glasses or goggles for this type of hazard, the impact resistance must be weighed against scratch resistance. 

Plastic and polycarbonate  lenses are highly impact-resistant but less scratch-resistant than glass lenses.  Glass lenses will shatter on high impact but resist scratching from dust and grit better than other lenses.  Some polycarbonate lenses are coated with a scratch-resistant surface to protect against both high-impact and fine-particle hazards. 

CHEMICALS, FUMES, & HEAT

When working around dangerous chemicals, goggles that form a snug seal around the face and have hooded ventilators are needed, or in extreme danger, no ventilators.  Such goggles need to be specially coated to prevent fogging.  The best protection against heat is a face shield, typically an acetate or other flexible plastic visor-type shield that covers the face and neck.  Extreme heat or concentrated light may require the protection of a welding helmet.  Face shields should be used with other eye protection, never alone.  

PREVENTION

We all realize that prevention of on-the-job accidents begins with the support of upper management.  Without it, employees will most likely ignore all safe operating procedures for working in hazardous areas.  Once upper management support is provided, the next step is to adopt an appropriate means of reducing the hazards.

Prevention of eye injuries is threefold: proper training in usage of eye-protection, engineering controls, and proper maintenance of equipment.

TRAINING

Training plays a vital role in reducing workplace injuries.  Employees should be trained to know which equipment is appropriate for different types of work.  As stated above, 40 % of those employees who wore protection, were wearing the wrong protection when they got hurt.  Employees who do not work directly in a hazardous environment should be required to wear eye protection when entering such an atmosphere.  Visitors walking through high hazard areas should also be required to wear protection.  

ENGINEERING CONTROLS

Engineering controls can drastically reduce the risk of eye injuries and may save a company money in the long run.  Controls such as machine guards, and shields to separate work stations, are relatively simple to install.  Check with the manufacturer for equipment accessories. 

PROPER MAINTENANCE

Employees should be aware that scheduled and daily maintenance of protective eyewear is mandatory to effectively reduce the risk of eye injuries.  Proper maintenance should include the following: 

•	Adjust eyewear to make sure it fits snugly and is reasonably comfortable.  Secure any loose parts and replace lenses if they are scratched, cracked, pitted, faded, etc.
•	Clean the eyewear after each shift or as needed according to the manufacturers instructions.  Disinfect eyewear that is shared by several workers.  Wash glasses with soap and warm water, and rinse thoroughly.  Next use a disinfectant and hang dry in a clean place. 
•	Store the eyewear in a case to prevent scratching and ensure continued good vision.  To reduce or eliminate fogging, use a special antifogging product available on the market.  
•	Label eyewear with the name of the assigned person.  This person should be held responsible for inspecting his/her own safety glasses.

FIRST AID

The most common eye injury requiring first aid is a particle of dust, wood, glass, metal, or any other hard substance flying into the eye.  Chemical particles, vapor and radiant energy are other causes of eye injuries.  The natural impulse is to rub the eye.  That can be the worst thing to do.  More damage is caused by rubbing a particle against the delicate tissues that line the inside of the eye.  The following are do’s and don’ts for first aid treatment of eye injuries. 

Chemical burns

Eye damage from acids or caustics may be extremely serious.  Chemical “irritants” are less severe.  In all cases of eye contact with chemicals:

•	Do flush eyes with water immediately for 15 minutes.  Hold head under faucet or pour water into the eye using any clean container.  Keep eye open as wide as possible during flushing. 
•	Do get medical attention immediately.
•	Do not bandage the eye or use an eye cup.

Specks in the eye

•	Do lift upper eyelid outward and down over the lower lid. 
•	Do let tears wash out specks or particles. 
•	Do keep eye closed, bandage lightly and see a doctor if the speck doesn’t wash out. 
•	Do not rub the eye. 

Blows to the eye

•	Do apply cold compresses immediately for 15 minutes, and again each hour as needed to reduce pain and swelling.
•	Do see a doctor in cases where there is discoloration of the surrounding skin.

Cuts and punctures

•	Do bandage lightly and see a doctor.
•	Do not wash out eye with water.
•	Do not try to remove an object stuck in the eye. 

Caution:	Face shields alone do not provide adequate protection.  Plastic lenses are advised for protection against molten metal splash.  Contact lenses, by  themselves, do not provide eye protection in the industrial sense and must not be worn in a hazardous environment without appropriate covering safety eyewear.

REFERENCES:	

Videos pertinent to this subject may be obtained from the Arkansas Department of Labor/Arkansas Workers’ Compensation Commission’s Health & Safety Resource Center at (501) 682-9090.

Disclaimer: Information contained in this training program is considered accurate.  For complete information, please consult ANSI for Occupational and Educational Eye and Face Protection Z87.1-1968.