August 2008

Safety Share - August 2008

EYE SAFETY

Thousands are blinded each year from work-related eye injuries that could have been prevented with the proper selection and use of eye protection. The following three step approach, outlined in Australian Standard 1336-1997, can drastically reduce the incidence of eye injuries in the workplace:

1. Eliminate possible eye hazards
2. Control potential hazards
3. Wear correct eye protection.

Eye safety tips include:

• Making sure the type of eye protection selected is appropriate for the task
• Displaying safety signs and notices in work areas where eye protection is needed
• Reviewing workplace eye safety procedures regularly to ensure they remain up to date and appropriate for workplace activity
• Ensuring that normal spectacles are not used as a replacement for proper protective eyewear.

In the case of an eye injury, actions to take include:

• Reporting immediately as the damage is not always apparent and even a seemingly minor injury may cause permanent eye and vision damage if it is not treated
• Not rubbing the eye
• Not washing the eye or trying to remove objects in the case of cuts, punctures or embedded objects
• In the event of chemical burns or dust in the eye, flushing copiously with cold water (from a hose, an eye bath or a shower) for at least 15 minutes.