There are many reasons why you should always wear safety glasses when you are working. Eye injuries can be extremely painful and can cause long-term damage, including blindness. In this blog post, we will discuss the importance of wearing safety glasses and some of the risks associated with not using them.

Common eye injuries in construction:

• Impact: Foreign objects, such as a piece of wood or metal, hitting the eye. This can cause severe damage to the eye and can even lead to blindness. 
• Chemical Burns: when chemicals splash into the eyes.
• Penetration: when a sharp object penetrates the eye.
• Corneal abrasions: when something scratches the surface of the eye.
• Radiation: either from the sun or from welding without proper eye protection.
• Eye infections: When you are working in dusty or dirty environments, there is a risk that particles can get into your eyes and cause an infection. 

How to choose the right safety glasses:

• The two main types of eye protection are impact resistant and non impact resistant. Impact resistant glasses are made of tougher materials and offer more protection than non impact resistant glasses. However, both types of glasses will protect your eyes from most common injuries.
• When choosing safety glasses, make sure to select a pair that fits well and is comfortable to wear. 
• If you are working in a dusty environment, choose a pair of glasses with side shields to keep dust and debris out of your eyes
• If you are working with chemicals, you will need to wear chemical splash goggles. These goggles fit tightly around your eyes and prevent chemicals from getting in.
• If you are working outdoors, make sure to wear a pair of safety glasses that has tinted lenses. This will help reduce glare and protect your eyes from the sun’s harmful UV rays.

Wearing safety glasses is one of the simplest and most effective ways to protect your eyes from injury!

What to do in the event of an eye injury:

• If you do happen to injure your eyes, it is important to seek medical attention immediately. 
• For chemical burns, rinse the eye with clean water for at least 15 minutes and then cover the eye with a clean, dry cloth. 
• Do not try to remove any objects that may be stuck in the eye – this could further damage the eyeball. 
• Have someone drive you to the hospital so that you can receive proper treatment.

Whether you are working with chemicals, power tools, or simply doing yard work, always make sure to wear a pair of safety glasses. Your eyesight is precious, so don’t take any chances with it.

This Post Is Part Of A Series: 101 Toolbox Topic Ideas For The Construction Industry
Do you struggle to come up with toolbox talk ideas each week to discuss with your workers? Fear no more, Work Safety QLD is here to the rescue with 101 Free Toolbox Talk Ideas for the Construction Industry.