FACTS

1. Sufficient and properly working emergency eyewash and shower devices in the workplace are vital for easing eye and skin injuries. However, this equipment is not a substitute for safety eyewear, face shields, protective clothing, or other personal protective gear designed to prevent employees’ exposure to chemical, physical, or biological agents.
2. For chemical exposures, consult the chemical safety data sheet. Many hazardous chemicals require immediate flushing of the eyes with water for at least 15 minutes, occasionally lifting the upper and lower eyelids, removing contact lenses if present, continued rinsing, then seeking immediate medical aid and/or calling a poison center.
3. For bodily fluid exposures, current literature recommends immediately flushing the eyes with water or a saline wash for at least five minutes. If contact lenses are in place, they should be left in place while flushing because they are a barrier to the eye. Once the eye is thoroughly flushed, the contact lenses can be removed.
4. Liquids present the most common hazards, but solids, gases, vapors and mists also may present. A material may be considered hazardous if it can damage the skin or eyes or if it is readily absorbed through the skin.
5. All determinations of exposure should be made without regard to the use of personal protective equipment, such as goggles, face shields, gloves or aprons.

STATS

• Emergency eyewash is oftentimes overlooked in safety program evaluations. Yet, more than 2,000 occupational eye injuries occur daily, with more than one in ten requiring one or more days away from work, according to Prevent Blindness America.
• 10 to 20 % of all workplace eye injuries result in temporary or permanent vision loss according to OSHA. Protecting the eyes with safety eyewear is the best defense against injury, but accidents still happen.
• The cost of occupational eye injuries to employers averages $467 million per year, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
• More than 2,000 eye injuries occur on the job every day, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Almost 100,000 each year lead to temporary or permanent vision loss. The cost? The U.S.
• Department of Labor estimates more than $300 million annually, once factors such as medical expenses, lost production time, and worker’s compensation costs are tallied.