7 Workplace Eye Hazards-Protect with Eye Washes

Hazard Assessment-Eye Washes

Because workers who wear protective eyewear still suffer injuries, how much protection is enough? To answer that question, begin with a hazard assessment to determine which of several eye hazards exist for each job:

1. Dust, concrete, metal and other particles;
2. Chemicals such as acids, bases, fuels, solvents, lime and wet or dry cement powder;
3. Falling or shifting debris, building materials and glass;
4. Smoke and noxious or poisonous gases;
5. Welding light and electrical arcs;
6. Thermal hazards and fires; and
7. Bloodborne pathogens (hepatitis or HIV) from blood, body fluids and human remains

About 40 percent of the injured workers surveyed by BLS were wearing some form of protective eyewear when the accident occurred. More than 90 percent of the injuries to workers wearing protection resulted from objects or chemicals going around or under the protector.

Eye Washes & Deluge Showers

Even after a thorough hazard analysis, a review of safety procedures, and the proper use of personal protective equipment, accidents can still happen. In the case of accidental chemical exposures to the eyes a quick and effective response is essential to prevent lasting damage or a loss of sight. In addition, federal health and safety regulations exist which specifically mandate that emergency eyewash units must be installed and maintained where corrosive chemicals will be used. Regardless of the legal requirements, most would agree that it is a prudent practice to install and maintain an emergency eye wash unit wherever a chemical or physical hazard may pose a serious risk of injury to someone's eye.

EYE WASHES

TYPES

• Plumbed Eye Wash: An eye wash unit permanently connected to a source of potable water.
• Gravity-Feed Eye Wash: An eye wash device that contains its own flushing fluid and must be refilled or replaced after use

Eye Wash/Emergency Showers

Prudent lab management includes weekly flushing of eye wash stations to prevent the possibility of eye infections with use of an eye wash station. Not only is this a wise health and safety measure, it is a regulatory requirement.

Safety Programs:

Eye Washes Safety Training