The Rate of Eye Injuries in the Workplace Maxisafe
They might be unheard of in several industries, but eye injuries are common in theworkplace. Most of these injuries can be prevented with the proper protocols and protectivegears in place.Reports reveal that in 60% of work eye injuries, the victim did not believe the need forsafety glasses, which could have prevented the injury in the first place.Preventable InjuriesEye injuries at work are so common that over 2,000 employees hurt their eyes every day.One in 10 injuries requires the patient to leave work for more than a day. Of the overallnumber of work-associated injuries, about 10 to 20% will lead to permanent or temporaryloss of vision.Moreover, eye injuries cost businesses over AUD 350 million annually due to workercompensation, medical expenses and lost production time.
According to industry experts, wearing proper eye protection could have lowered the degreeof the injury or prevented 90% of the accidents in the first place.The Common Kinds of Eye InjuriesBased on the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), small objects orsmall particles are the leading cause of eye injuries in the office. These particles includewood chips, dust or metal slivers that accidentally abrade or strike the eye.In America, 70% of injuries were caused by falling or flying sparks or objects hitting the eye,the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) found. Injured employees revealed that about three-fifths of the objects were even smaller compared to a pinhead.Drawing from the figures and findings, industry experts advocate the use of properprotective gear in appropriate workplace settings. Eye protection must be included in thePersonal Protective Equipment to implement complete protection, covering all vital areasfrom head to toe. Eyewear must be customised to fit each employee and should offeradequate coverage.