You can injure one or both of your eyes while doing your job. Such injuries occur frequently because the eyes are quite vulnerable. According to a statistic from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), on a daily basis, 2,000 employees in the United States have on-the-job eye problems warranting a doctor’s attention.
There can be all kinds of eye hazards associated with your job. A droplet of a chemical or other corrosive substance can land in your eye accidentally. Lasers or heat pose eye perils. Getting minute particles like sand or airborne debris in the eye can be harmful.
Eye strain from looking at a computer screen for most or all of your workday is another problem. In fact, staring for protracted lengths of time at any electronic device screen such as a cell phone or tablet could hasten eye strain.
The likelihood of hurting your eyes is greater in certain occupations, especially those requiring physical labor. Among them are construction, welding, carpentry and manufacturing.
What can be done to guard against eye injuries?
Wearing eye protective equipment at work can diminish the chance of having an eye-related issue. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) states that employees must don protective facial and eye gear such as safety glasses, goggles or face shields whenever necessary.
Employers can also take a proactive stance in keeping their workers’ eyes safe. They should provide adequate eye protection and emphasize that workers need to use it. They should also be cognizant of any eye dangers on-site and eliminate or mitigate those dangers if at all possible.
If you suffered an eye injury on the job, it’s crucial to get the workers’ compensation benefits to which you’re entitled. Learning more about your rights as an employee might also be a step to consider if you believe your employer’s lack of safety precautions led to your injury.
