EYE INJURIES: some facts . . .

About 1 ,000 work-related eye injuries occur each day.

CONSTRUCTION HAS THE HIGHEST RATE!

Every day, more than 120 construction workers are disabled and forced to miss work because of an eye injury.

The alternative . . .

Wearing protective glasses that cost as little as $ 7.50 !!

MORE IMPORTANTLY, THOSE GLASSES WILL SAVE YOUR EYES.

It only takes a split second to injure your eye. But it takes a lot more time (and money) to heal.

How do eye injuries occur?

At George Washington University Emergency Department, more than 300 construction workers have been treated for eye injuries since 1990.

ELECTRICIANS, PLUMBERS AND PIPEFITTERS RANK IN THE TOP FIVE TRADES.

This is what we have learned about the circumstances of their eye injuries….

What is getting into your eyes?
Solvent splashes
Liquids or gases under PRESSURE
Electrical Sparks
Nails
Solder Specks
Grinding Dust
Glass
Bits of wire
Welding Fumes

The WHEN and HOW of eye injuries
Eye injuries can occur anytime anywhere on the job!
If you ....

• work overhead
• weld
• use power tools
• work on live circuits
• work with pressurized
• liquids or gas

.... you are especially at RISK!

Overhead work

Electricians get eye injuries when they work with....

• wires
• conduits
• light units
• drop ceilings
• hangers
• smoke detectors
• drilling holes
• soldering

…and don’t forget about the prep work

Plumbers get eye injuries when doing overhead tasks such as....

• cutting pipes
• removing pipes
• welding
• soldering
• grinding
• fitting
• installing hangers

…. and don’t forget about the prep work

Working with power tools
Obviously, power tools create lots and lots of dust, not only for you, but for people around you.
POWER TOOLS ARE ESPECIALLY HAZARDOUS IN A CONFINED SPACE.

The innocent bystander. . .
Some injuries occur simply by passing a work area or working next to someone who is grinding, sawing, or welding.

Eye protection: the right fit ...
Some workers we talked to were wearing eye protection when they were injured.
Sometimes it was not the right kind and sometimes it was not the right fit!
Safety glasses should have side shields and if possible upper and lower shields.
Goggles are best!

What to do if you get something in your eye?
DON’T DON’T RUB IT!

Rinse with clean water for at least 15-20 minutes.

ANSI-approved eyewash stations are best. Eyewash bottles are not approved.
BUT ANY CLEAN WATER WILL DO!!

What Next?
Get medical attention!!!!

Ask the safety supervisor or first aid person to take a look at your eye. You might even need a trip to the ER.

What about a cut or puncture?
DON'T DON'T DON'T wash or touch your eye or lift the upper lid of your eye!

Workplace safety: are you ready for your work day?
Do you have your SAFETY GLASSES?
Are they HANDY?
Do they FIT properly?
Do you know where the nearest EYEWASH STATIONS are from your work area?
Do you know how to get MEDICAL ATTENTION if needed?

Things to think about...
WHAT WILL YOU BE DOING TODAY ?
WILL YOU BE:
using a power tool?
drilling?
working overhead?
working near somebody who is using a power tool, welding, drilling, soldering, grinding, or working overhead?

Have a Safe Work Day!
Don't forget to wear your eye gear.

This presentation was funded by research grant U60 CCU 317202 from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) through CPWR – Center for Construction Research and Training, Silver Spring, Md. The contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of NIOSH.

Source: CPWR - The Center for Construction Research and Training

Electronic Library of Construction Occupational Safety and Health

www.elcosh.org