OSHA estimates that 90 percent of eye injuries can be prevented. So why do eye injuries continue to occur in the workplace?
Real-world feedback from safety and health professionals provides us with valuable lessons learned. Apply these goals to your safety program for better eye injury protection.
Make a goal that workers wear their eyewear 100 percent of the time by considering these factors in eyewear selection: Weight: Safety glasses designed to be “ultra lightweight” are so comfortable, you hardly know they are on. When the lens weight is below 25 grams, it is considered ultra lightweight, compared to traditional glasses weighing 36 grams in weight (40 percent heavier than ultra lightweight glasses). If safety glasses are needed for long periods each day, weight is a major factor to consider. Head comfort: Soft, flexible temples will “flex” to fit safely and comfortably to a thin, midsize or wide head. A high degree of flexibility reduces pressure on the worker’s head and provides a comfortable fit without pinching or squeezing. Some frame designs accomplish flexing with a thin temple and soft materials, while others feature dual-injected TPR temples. Face comfort: Whenever practical, avoid the use of straps to create pressure against the worker’s face. The worker will often take the goggle off and allow it to hang around his neck to relieve the strap pressure (leaving the eyes unprotected). Newly introduced foam lined goggle/spectacles are designed with a combination of temples (for comfort) and a foam lining (to seal the gap between a worker’s face and the lens). The temples are adjustable to insure a snug fit without the excess face pressure of straps. The use of a close cell foam adds to the comfort and reduces absorption of sweat or body oils. Foam liners are not the solution for all applications, but they provide comfort for long hours of use. Nose comfort: A non-slip, soft rubber nose bridge or pads provide added comfort, especially in warm environments.