Considering 40% of all on-the-job eye injuries occur in the manufacturing, construction and mining industries, there is tremendous value in selecting the proper PPE. According to the CDC, three out of five onsite eye injuries could have been avoided by using the correct PPE. Awareness of the hazardous elements in every environment and providing the necessary protection minimizes eye-related injuries and loss of revenue.
What Hazards are the Most Dangerous?
Dust from the following elements is extremely dangerous and requires the highest-quality PPE. Copper Alloys such as brass, bronze and copper-nickel can enter the eye causing conjunctivitis. Fluorides are a major cause of cataract blindness. Vanadium can cause retinal damage. Workers in industries with these compounds should never wear contacts. Fine dust and substance fragments present irreversible damage when they become embedded in a contact lens.
Airborne and Environmental Dangers
Unsettled dust, concrete, shards of metal, wood and other flying projectiles found in the air on busy work floors are dangerous and can lead to eye irritations or injuries. Employees working outdoors are exposed to potential damage from UV rays, changing weather, dust and dirt in the wind.
Certified Industrial Safety Glasses
Removeable facial cavity seals were developed to prevent dust from entering the eye. High-wrap frames provide a premium level of protection from the contact of projectiles. When working in dangerous environments with accidental spills and splashes from chemicals, safety googles are imperative. ANSI-rated frames, googles and lenses meet the highest standards of protection against high-velocity and high-mass impacts. Lenses made with polycarbonate are lightweight, scratch resistant and the strongest on the market. Without the proper PPE, workers can suffer ocular damage from materials becoming lodged into their eyes. Selecting prescription PPE can provide enhanced protection and functionality in comparison to contact lenses and low-cost safety goggles.
Effects on the Bottom Line
When accidents occur, the chain of events can often result in much larger concerns. According to the Department of Labor, work-related eye injuries result in downtime, workers compensation and medical expenses, costing employers around $300 million annually.
Educating workers on the potential hazards on the work floor, motivating safe workplace practices and wearing the proper PPE reduces occurrences. Providing high-quality safety eyewear to all employees whose job poses risk of eye injury protects workers and the business.
