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Personal protective equipment (PPE) for the eyes and face are designed to prevent or lessen the severity of injuries to individuals.
The typical eye injuries occur by rubbed or abraded foreign matter, such as metal chips, dirt particles, and splinters, or by striking the eye; surface wounds, such as abrasions, scratches, and foreign bodies (splinters and chips) are among the most common types of injuries to the eyes. Other hazards include, but are not limited to, chemicals, adhesives, radiation, tools, and equipment. The highest categories contributing to eye injuries are related to household, workplace.
| WHAT CAUSES EYE INJURIES? |
| Hazard type |
Examples of Hazard |
Common Related Tasks |
 |
Flying objects such as large chips, fragments, particles, sand, and dirt. |
Chipping, grinding, machining, masonry work, wood working, sawing, drilling, chiseling, powered fastening, riveting, and sanding. |
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Anything emitting extreme heat. |
Furnace operations, pouring, casting, hot dipping, and welding. |
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Splash, fumes, vapors, and irritating mists. |
Acid and chemical handling, degreasing, plating, and working with cleaners. |
 |
Radiant energy, glare, and intense light |
Welding, torch-cutting, brazing, soldering, and laser work. |
WHAT CONTRIBUTES TO EYE INJURIES AT WORK?
Not wearing eye protection. It’s reported that nearly three out of every five workers injured were not wearing eye protection at the time of the accident.
-- Wearing the wrong kind of eye protection for the job. Like wearing protective eyeglasses with no side shields in a chemical area.
What to do in case of an emergency?
Chemical Splash
• Don't squeeze eyes shut. Hold them open with thumb and index finger.
• Flood eyes with cool, clean water for 15-20 minutes.
• Get medical help as soon as possible. If you can, have the chemical container and its label available for evaluation.
• Don't use another chemical to neutralize the spilled chemical.
Flying Particles
• Don't try to remove anything embedded in the eye. You could cause further damage.
• Don't pull or squeeze the eye.
• Cover both eyes to prevent movement.
• Get medical help as soon as possible.
Radiation Injuries, Burns
• If the eyes are exposed to intense heat, flames, lasers or arc welding radiation, apply ice packs to relieve the pain.
• Get medical attention as soon as possible.
Blows to the Eyes
• Apply ice packs to control swelling and relieve the pain.
• Cover both eyes to prevent movement.
• Get medical attention as soon as possible.
What are the minimum requirements for effective PPE?
● Provide adequate protection against the particular hazards for which they are designed
● Be of safe design and construction for the work to be performed
● Be reasonably comfortable when worn under the designated conditions
● Fit snugly and not unduly interfere with the movements of the wearer
● Be durable
● Be capable of being disinfected
● Be easily cleanable
● Be distinctly marked to facilitate identification only of the manufacturer
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