Eye Protection

“Seeing Is Believing”

Eye Protection “Seeing Is Believing”

• In just a blink of an eye, an accident can injure or even blind a worker. Warning signs are all around us in the work place and still we act as though we don’t even see them! Eye protection requirements are set for not only employees but also for any visitors to our work sites.

Eye Protection “Seeing Is Believing”

• Eye injuries can be reduced when workers are trained to recognize the eye hazard they may encounter and to use and care for eye protection equipment. Workers in hazardous areas should also know what to do in case of an eye injury. In all eye injury cases, professional medical attention should be sought.

Eye Protection “Seeing Is Believing”

• MSHA requirements set forth in the 30 CFR are as follows:

• 56/57 .15004 All persons shall wear safety glasses, goggles, or face shields or other suitable protective devices when in or around an area of a mine or plant where hazard exists which could cause injury to unprotected eyes.

Eye Protection “Seeing Is Believing”

• Common excuses for not wearing eye protection:

1. Eye glasses and goggles fog up when working and sweating

2. Eye protection devices are uncomfortable

3. Eye protection devices are too hard to keep up with

Causes of Eye Injuries

1. Foreign Particles: dust, dirt, metal, wood chips, even eye lashes can cause eye damage. These get into the eye from wind or activities like chipping, grinding, sawing, brushing, hammering, or from power tools, equipment, and machinery

Causes of Eye Injuries Cont…

2. Chemical Splashes; from solvents, paints, hot liquids, or other hazardous solutions which can cause great damage

3. Light Burns; caused from exposure to welding, lasers, or other radiant light

4. Bumps, blows, and cuts to the eye area

First Aid for Eye Injuries

1. Foreign particles: loosely bandage eyes to stop movement (seek professional help)

2. Chemical splashes: hold eyes open and flush for at least 15 min.

First Aid for Eye Injuries Cont…

3. Light burns: keep eyes closed while awaiting medical attention

4. Bumps and Blows: apply cold compress for 15 min. to reduce swelling and pain.

5. Cuts: loosely bandage to stop eye movement, don’t rub, press, or wash

Eye Protection “ Seeing Is Believing”

• Eye safety is no accident. Nothing can replace the loss of an eye. Protect your eye sight from workplace hazards by wearing and caring for protective eyewear. You’ll see the difference!

Instructor’s Guide

• Discuss areas at your location where eye injuries are most likely to happen

• Review the eye protection available at your location and the company policy relating to each

• Discuss locations of showers and eye wash stations and any other first aid equipment provided

Instructor’s Guide Cont…

• Review any accidents or incidents that have occurred at your location recently

• Review the quiz

Quiz

1. Improper wear or use of eye protection can result in injury to eyes? T or F

2. 30 CFR requires that all persons in and around the mine or plant to wear eye protection. T or F

Quiz Cont…

3. Medical attention should be sought immediately with any eye injury. T or F

4. Warning signs should not be posted for everyone to see when entering work areas that require eye protection. T or F

5. Nothing can replace an eye. T or F

Quiz Cont…

6. Examples of foreign particles are:

a. dust b. dirt c. metal

d. all the above

7. Chemical splashes are caused by:

a. water b. welding c. paints

d. none of the above

Quiz Cont…

8. Light burns are caused by:

a. welding b. lasers c. cutting

d. all the above

9. Bumps and blows can be helped by:

a. heat compress b. light bandages

c. keeping eyes shut d. cold compress

Quiz Cont…

10. Cuts should be:

a. rubbed b. pressed c. washed

d. loosely bandaged to stop movement

EyeProtection “Seeing Is Believing” Answer Sheet

• 1. T• 2. T• 3. T• 4. F• 5. T

• 6. D• 7. C• 8. D• 9. D• 10. D