Safety Talk

WHAT’S AT STAKE
Safety eyewear and face shields can save you from injuries which can lead to blindness. Prompt treatment of eye injuries reduces the risk of permanent damage.

WHAT’S THE DANGER
Your face is at risk from many potential hazards at work. Particles propelled by machinery or dust can injure eyes. Burns or toxic effects from chemicals are another serious hazard. Solvents and corrosive substances cause painful, long-term injuries.

EXAMPLE
One of the eye hazards is radiation burn. Welding flash and lasers are types of radiation hazards.

HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF
Wear eye protection on the job. Your supervisor will help you choose the right protection for the danger and tell you when to wear it.

Safety glasses
These look similar to ordinary spectacles, but they are made of impact-resistant material which can protect you from flying objects. In many instances, you will need to wear safety glasses with side shields.

Goggles
These are made to protect you from chemical splashes or impact from flying objects which could damage your eyes. Make sure you have the right ones for the job. This kind of eye protection is rated according to the type and degree of protection provided.

Shaded eyewear
These protect you from radiation burns. Safety glasses with ultraviolet protection may be required for outdoor work. Welders helmets have special shaded eye pieces, and anyone who works near a welding operation must also wear special shaded glasses to protect against radiation burns to the eye.

Face shields and head coverings
In some types of work, full protection is also required for the head and face. Wire mesh screens attached to hardhats or plastic face shields are examples.

Avoid hazards
Proper arrangement of work equipment and materials helps you stay away from hazards. Machine guards shield you from wood or metal chips. Exhaust systems remove particles from the air. Splash guards help protect you from harmful liquids. Screens keep you away from hazards such as light radiation.

Eye those chemicals
Read the label and material safety data sheet before using any chemical substance. Use safety eyewear as instructed.

Prompt treatment
Learn where the eyewash station is and find out how to operate it. You might need to use it while temporarily blinded by a chemical splash. Always get prompt first aid treatment for any eye injury.

FINAL WORD
You only get two eyes, to last a lifetime. Wear your eye protection!