Work-related eye injuries treated in emergency rooms exceeded 800,000 in 2008; men having a rate four times higher than women.1 In 70 percent of cases, injury was from an object or equipment, and 26 percent from exposure to harmful substances or environments. Sources included scrap, waste and debris (34 percent) and chemicals (14 percent).2
Environmental work by definition includes hazardous materials and/or environments. Ninety percent of all eye injuries can be prevented by wearing protective eyewear.3 So why do workers disregard this critical personal protective equipment (PPE) need?