Toolbox Talk Tips: Eye Safety Tips for the Workplace  

The most common causes for eye injuries at work include, flying objects (bits of metal, glass, or debris), chemical splashes or mists, and radiation.  

Our best defense against an eye injury is wearing the correct type of eye protection on the job. Today, we'll talk about other eye injuries that occur and how to prevent them.   

Safety eyewear basics  

Safety eyewear includes safety glasses and lenses with side shields, full-face shields, direct and indirect vented goggles, and a range of specialty products like welder’s masks. If you are not sure about which safety eyewear product is right for you, ask your company safety advisor or your supervisor.  

What are some common causes of incidents resulting in eye injuries?   

1. Forgetting to put safety eyewear on – it is easy to forget to bring your safety eyewear or to put it on when entering an area where safety eyewear is required. When you move from area to area or from task to task think about the location specific hazards and think about your eyes!  

2. Wearing safety eyewear improperly – wearing safety eyewear too low on your nose will not ensure proper protection of your eyes. This may happen if the lenses are dirty or scratched so take good care of your safety eyewear for optimal performance. Remember, too, that safety eyewear that is sitting on top your head won’t protect you.  

3. Wearing the right safety eyewear for the task – a pre-job review of the task hazard assessment or the completion of a field-level hazard assessment will allow you to properly select the right safety eyewear for each job. Watch for changing requirements like having to change to work from cutting to grinding. This needs to trigger a review of the safety eyewear needed. When working outdoors if the wind picks up and the dust starts to fly it may require a change in eye protection.  

4. Remembering to upgrade safety eyewear for special tasks – too often special work methods are needed on occasion. This needs to trigger a review of the safety eyewear required. There is a wide range of safety eyewear products available beyond basic safety glasses with side shields. Know your options, and if needed ask for help.  

Do you have questions about eye safety in the workplace?  

If you have more questions about eye safety in the workplace, need support updating your policies and safety procedures, or need guidance specific to your business or industry, call an advisor today at 1(833)-247-3652.  

If you already are a Peninsula client, call us at 1(833)-247-3656.