Eye injuries at work cost over $300 million annually in workers compensation benefits, medical expenses and loss in production time. There are nearly 1,000 eye injuries at work that happen every single day across the United States - and according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, nearly 3 out of every 5 workers with eye injuries were not wearing eye protection when the accident occurred.
Increased Risk for Eye Injuries
Employees of industrial equipment operations, mechanics, plumbers, repair workers, carpenters, and sanders are among those at higher risk for eye injuries with nearly 40% of eye injuries coming from these industries. Other workers at risk for eye injuries include construction workers, manufacturing workers, and anyone in the labor industry in general.
Common Causes of Eye Injuries
Nearly 70% of eye injuries at work are caused from either flying particles in the air or falling objects. Another common cause of eye injuries includes chemicals getting into the eye(s), or objects swinging and hitting the eye.
Eye Protection in the Workplace Prevents Injuries
OSHA requires that employers provide adequate eye protection to workers. Appropriate eye protection is effective for the type of accidents that may take place in a particular workplace; and the eyewear fits each employee properly. Wearing the wrong kind of eye protection can result in just as many eye injuries as not wearing eye protection at all - so it's important that eye protection is appropriate for the chemicals or particles an employee may come into contact with, and include eye shields on the sides if necessary to prevent objects and/or chemicals from going around or under the lens of the eye protection.
Eye Protection Training
In addition to providing appropriate eye protection for the conditions of the job, employers should also provide eye protection training. While most employers provide eye protection to employees who need them, about 40% of employees receive no eye safety training.
What to Do if You Experience Eye Injuries at the Workplace If you have suffered from vision impairment or eye injury at work, you should consult with an expert in worker's compensation cases. Contact our office today at (866) 205-2415 for a free consultation and make sure you are getting what you deserve to continue with your normal quality of life.
