Eye Protection: What Type Should You Use?

Each day, more than 2,000 workers in the U.S. suffer from eye injuries. Proper eye protection can prevent thousands of debilitating eye injuries in the workplace. Anything from chemical splashes to grease and flying dust can perforate the cornea, leading to partial or full blindness. Here are some eye protective equipment that can prevent these injuries from occurring.

Goggles

Goggles with direct ventilation should be fitted firmly around the eyes and should be worn in areas that are dusty or where flying hazards are common such as when working with wood or metal. Also, goggles with indirect or hooded ventilation should be worn by workers who work with or around chemicals, dust, flying particles or sparks. These should be available in labs or other areas prone to such injuries occurring. Indirect goggles have openings that can block these effectively, thus preventing serious injuries.

Face Shields

Face shields should be readily available to workers who require a level of infection control that goggles cannot provide. These can protect other areas of the face besides the eyes. A face shield that comes with chin and crown protection for instance, can protect the whole face from sprays and splashes. It should wrap around the face to the ear to reduce the chances of liquid reaching the eyes.

Safety Glasses

Safety glasses are not as efficient as face shields, but they are known to be as efficient as goggles. However, they should not be used for infection control purposes as they do not create a seal around the eyes as efficiently as goggles do.

Full-Face Respirators

Respirators that cover the face and are powered by air are designed specifically for respiratory protection. Their design also protects the eyes, making them invaluable for use in factory settings.

The best way to ensure the eye and face protective gear you provide your workers is efficient is by ensuring it is used properly. It has to be well-fitted and maintained on a regular basis to be effective enough to prevent injuries or diseases. Do not hesitate to replace them with new ones if they are well past their prime. Plus, employees who wear contact lenses should be asked to adhere to strict hand washing guidelines when inserting or removing them.

When it comes to protecting your business against risks, you cannot be too careful. At SIA Insurance Group, we take a proactive approach to insurance and risk management for our customers. Our team is capable of producing tailored solutions and programs that can meet your specific organizational needs. Get in touch with us for a consultation today.