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By Neal Bolton

Every day an estimated 1,000 eye injuries occur in American workplaces. In one survey, the US Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) found that flying particles accounted for almost 70% of the accidents.

The risk of eye injury is ever-present and can be caused by the following:

Blowing debris
Dust
Power tools
Chemicals
Smoke
Glare
Explosion
Hot material

Providing protection from these risks can be as simple as wearing the appropriate type of eye protection. But while it may be simple, it is often ignored. It is estimated that 90% of all eye injuries could be prevented through the use of proper protective equipment.
Please note that wearing cheap sunglasses or prescription glasses does not qualify as proper eye protection. Neither does squinting. For real protection, we’re talking safety glasses, goggles, and/or face shields.

The type of eye protection should be matched to the risk. Most workers who suffer eye injuries said, “I just didn’t think the situation required eye protection.” If you are a worker, use your imagination. If there is any possible risk of eye injury, wear eye protection. If you are manager, make sure the policy regarding eye protection is clearly understood. Ignorance of a risk is poor consolation for an eye injury or blindness.

Safety Glasses
Safety glasses are made of very strong glass or plastic and are designed to stop a projectile. Safety glasses should always be worn when using power tools, hand tools, or pressurized air, or in any other situation where a release of energy could turn particles into a projectiles. Even if you aren’t engaged in this type of activity, you could still be at risk if a nearby worker is. When working around heavy equipment, it is always a good idea to wear safety glasses.

I remember my dad reminding me to “wear those safety glasses” while working in the shop. As a teenager, I thought he was a little too fanatical ... until one day when a grinding wheel shattered. The safety glasses I was wearing that day, with the big scratch in the middle of the right lens, added a great deal of respect for my dad’s wisdom and the integrity of quality safety glasses.

But projectiles don’t always strike from the front. They can also injure your eye from the side. For that reason, safety glasses with side wings offer an increased level of protection.

Safety glasses are designed to stop a projectile from injuring or piercing your eye, but they do not necessarily keep dust and small particles out of your eyes. For that you need goggles.

Goggles
Goggles are designed to keep dust and other small particles from getting into your eyes when working in dusty or windy conditions. When selecting goggles, remember that there are various levels of quality available. Cheap goggles offer minimum protection. Higher-quality goggles provide a better seal and generally offer greater protection.
According to a study by the BLS, 94% of the injuries to workers wearing eye protection resulted from objects or chemicals going around or under the protector. To avoid this risk, select goggles that are fitted properly and have side protection.

Shields
Another study showed that nearly 20% of injured workers who were wearing eye protection wore face shields or welding helmets. However, only 6% of the workers injured while wearing eye protection wore goggles, which generally offer better protection for the eyes.

There may be situations where you need the protection offered by both safety glasses and goggles, or by goggles and a face shield. Depending on the style, you could wear both. However, it might be more practical to select a style that offers the benefits of both.
Some safety glasses can also provide a good seal against dust and debris. During some activities, a full face shield is required to provide protection. An example might be when using a metal grinder to clean up a welding job.

There are many types of eye protection available for use in any situation. Choose an appropriate type based on the level of protection needed for the job at hand. Adjust them for proper fit and, finally, make sure they are clean and scratch-free. Scratched and dirty glasses reduce vision, increase fatigue, often create glare, and may contribute to accidents.

Eye protection is a basic and in many cases mandatory safety provision. For those who want to keep an eye on safety, this is a great place to start.

Neal Bolton is a consultant specializing in landfill operations and management.

MSW - May/June 2007