December 3, 2004—The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has added a Safety and Health Topic Page on Eye Safety to its Web site. According to NIOSH, each day about 2000 US workers have a job-related eye injury that requires medical treatment. About one third of the injuries are treated in hospital emergency departments and more than 100 of these injuries result in one or more days of lost work.
The majority of these injuries result from small particles such as metal slivers, wood chips, or dust striking or abrading the eye when ejected by tools or blown by the wind. Chemical burns from splashes of industrial chemicals or cleaning products; thermal burns; and UV radiation burns (welder’s flash) of welders and nearby workers are also common.
In addition to common eye injuries, health care workers, laboratory staff, janitorial workers, and other workers may be at risk of acquiring infectious diseases via direct ocular exposure or from touching the eyes with contaminated fingers or other objects.
The site says that engineering controls should be used to reduce eye injuries and to protect against ocular infection exposures. Personal protective eyewear, such as goggles, face shields, safety glasses, or full-face respirators must also be used when an eye hazard exists. The type of eye protection chosen for specific work situations depends upon the nature and extent of the hazard, and should be fitted to the individual.
