The human eyes are complex and intricate organs that provide us with the invaluable sense of sight. Because of their size, location and makeup, they are also extremely vulnerable to injury from common workplace hazards such as flying or falling objects, sand and dust particles, chemicals and vapors and ultraviolet light. For this reason, OSHA requires employers to provide employees with suitable eye and face protection whenever necessary.
But still, more than 2,000 occupational eye injuries occur in the U.S. daily, and when they do, proper and immediate treatment is the best defense for a positive outcome and minimal financial impact. The American National Standards Institute requires that the first step following chemical contact of any kind with the eyes is immediate and continuous flushing with fluid from either a portable or plumbed primary eyewash station.