7 Tips for Workplace Eye Safety

1. Check fit and appropriateness  Over 90% of eye injuries that occurred while workers were wearing eye protection were a result of particles or chemicals that entered around or under the protective shield.  Need side shields?  Faceshield?  Closed goggles?  Does safety eyewear over prescription eyeglasses provide complete coverage?

2. Provide anti fog Organizations that include a discussion of fogging in PPE safety resources  The National Institute of Occupational Safety Health  The Center for Construction Research  The Vision Council  Prevent Blindness America  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Lombardi, David A., Verma, Santosh K., Brennan, Melanye J., and Perry, Melissa J., Factors influencing worker use of personal protective eyewear Accident Analysis & Prevention 41 (2009) JODI

3. Easy Access  Accessibility was suggested by more than 80% of workers  Is the supply room always open? Bins by all doors?  Especially in work environments where PPE isn’t needed fulltime and may get put aside  Workers perceived lower risk when tasks were brief, more likely to ignore PPE  Have eyewear stations in all critical areas, plus  Straps  Lanyards  Cases Lombardi, David A., Verma, Santosh K., Brennan, Melanye J., and Perry, Melissa J., Factors influencing worker use of personal protective eyewear Accident Analysis & Prevention 41 (2009)

4. Don’t let cheap eyewear cost you  85% of focus groups named scratching as a barrier to PPE compliance.  Low-quality plastic is more susceptible to dust, particles or simply cleaning  Spending a little more for quality safety glasses can be a safety plus Lombardi, David A., Verma, Santosh K., Brennan, Melanye J., and Perry, Melissa J., Factors influencing worker use of personal protective eyewear Accident Analysis & Prevention 41 (2009)

5. Offer multiple styles  Research participants recommended improving comfort and fit to increase PPE  Different length or curve of earpieces  Fit of the nosepiece  Frame width  Real world: Large southwest U.S. utility tells us they provide a dozen eyewear styles Lombardi, David A., Verma, Santosh K., Brennan, Melanye J., and Perry, Melissa J., Factors influencing worker use of personal protective eyewear Accident Analysis & Prevention 41 (2009)

6. Use older workers as mentors  Older, more experienced workers are more likely to wear protective eyewear  They have the experience to know/see the dangers and develop the correct habits  Newer, younger workers may more readily accept advice, reminders from them  Don’t send mixed messages  Supervisors must model the same behavior EVERY time  Visitors must abide by PPE rules Lombardi, David A., Verma, Santosh K., Brennan, Melanye J., and Perry, Melissa J., Factors influencing worker use of personal protective eyewear Accident Analysis & Prevention 41 (2009)

7. Regular training works  Train all new employees  Have refresher courses  Use posters, newsletter items, etc., to reinforce the message  Train as you go:  Catch workers doing right  Correct workers who need reminders  Need training resources?