Tool Box Talk, Eye Examination

“Eye Examination”

Question 1:
A majority of workplace eye injuries happen to workers who were not wearing adequate eye protection.

Answer: True

Question 2:
Chemical burns are the leading cause of eye injuries in the workplace.

Answer: False
Chemical burns accounted for only 20% of the injuries. Nearly 70% came from flying debris, sparks and small objects striking the eye. Of these, many were moving at high speed to embed in the eye.

Question 3:
If an object is embedded in a patient’s eye, do not cover the injured eye.

Answer: False
First, call for emergency help. After calling, the immediate first aid is to cover both eyes to prevent the injured eye from moving with the healthy one. Remain as calm as possible.

Question 4:
After injury, the eye usually heals with no major long-term complications.

Answer: True
While TRUE statistically, small scars main remain, impairing vision; and, when eyes don’t heal, the result can be total blindness!

Question 5:
Employers are required to provide face and eye protection to workers at risk for job-related eye injuries.

Answer: True
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards require employers to provide suitable eye protection to workers.

Question 6:
Protective eyewear must be properly fitted to be effective.

Answer: True

Question 7:
Training employees on the proper use of protective eyewear can reduce workplace eye injuries.

Answer: True
A large majority of employers provide protective eye equipment; however, a much smaller portion provide training for its proper use. Making sure workers USE the proper protection in the proper situation is just as important as providing the protective equipment.

Question 8:
Construction workers are at a low risk of workplace eye injury

Answer: False
Construction, mining, and manufacturing have had the highest incidence of eye injuries in recent years. Many injuries occur with both power tools (welders, grinders, drills) and hand tools (hammers and saws).

Question 9:
Workplace eye injuries result in millions of dollars of losses for employees and companies.

Answer: True

Question 10:
New occupational tasks can result in new vision needs.

Answer: True
A change in one’s job tasks may require different focusing abilities. This is especially true for workers over 40 years old. Be sure to visit your optometrist for a thorough eye exam to assess how your vision, job performance and job safety can be enhanced.

Don’t Forget: Home and Recreation, Yard work, wood working, cleaning!

In addition to foreign bodies, eyes need to be protected against: