Eye Protection: What Type Should You Use?

Workplace eye injuries are more common than you think.  Most eye injuries are the result of foreign objects entering the eye. This includes chemical, oil, grease splashes, piping hot steam, flying woodchips, and radiation.

Top occupations that experience the highest number of eye injuries include:

• Manufacturing
• Welding
• Woodwork
• Carpentry
• Construction
• Auto repair
• Mining
• Plumbing
• Electrical work

Types Of Personal Eye Protection

Employers are responsible for ensuring their employees have the appropriate eye protective gear for hazardous jobs. Some of the common types include the following:

Safety Glasses

Safety glasses boast shatterproof lenses made of strong materials. This can include propionate plastic complete with side shields or polycarbonate. These are designed specifically to stop large and small projectiles from injuring the eyes, which can otherwise cause temporary to permanent blindness.

These also work well to filter out laser light to prevent laser burns which can otherwise cause permanent blindness. However, safety glasses provide little to no protection against vapors and liquids. What is great about these glasses is that you can replace the lens with prescription lenses, including bifocals.

Goggles

There are two types of goggles you can get for employees depending on the types of job hazards they are exposed to:

• Non-vented goggles – protect the eyes from harmful mists, vapors, and fumes.
• Vented goggles – protect the eyes from moderated liquid quantities that do not evaporate or produce a mist when in use. Vented goggles feature several buttons embedded in the plastic—these include a baffle plate, a special plate that allows air passage but blocks liquids.

Face shields

Employers should provide face shields to workers at risk of chemical exposure as part of their job. Chemical splashes can cause instant skin damage. Employees should be encouraged to wear face shields along with chemical splash goggles and, in some cases, respiratory protective gear depending on the task.

The face shield should extend to the chin for optimal protection, and there should not be a gap between the headpiece and the forehead. Properly fitted face shields discourage employees from touching their faces and block hazardous material during their work.

Your job doesn’t end here. As an employer responsible for workers’ safety, you should be proactive in identifying common job hazards your employees can face during their work and reduce them.

However, not all accidents are avoidable, especially in the construction industry. By getting construction insurance in Woodridge, you can protect your business from costly liabilities and recover losses fast.

Contact SIA Insurance Group Today

Your business is in danger from liabilities almost every day. We understand that no one understands the risks your business faces better than you do. That’s why we will work with you to develop a custom insurance and risk management program.

The team at SIA Insurance Group is more than capable of providing solutions that can meet and exceed your needs. We are known for our industry expertise, attention to detail, and customer service. Get in touch with us at our office in Woodridge, IL. Our dedicated team will work with you every step of the way to ensure you are covered from liabilities that can otherwise derail your business.