Eye injuries are a common workplace hazard. They can have serious consequences for affected workers. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), thousands of workers suffer from eye-related injuries every year. Many of these injuries are preventable with proper safety measures in place.
Improving work safety policies is essential for creating a healthier work environment. Today we will discuss some key steps employers should take to improve their policies to prevent eye injuries.
Table of Content:
1.1. Conduct a Risk Assessment 2
6 Steps to Implement a Work Safety Policy to Avoid Eye Injuries
Eye injuries in the workplace are a serious issue. By prioritizing eye safety through policy implementation, employers can ensure their employees' well-being.
1. Conduct a Risk Assessment
The first step in improving work safety policies to prevent eye injuries is to conduct a risk assessment of the workplace. The assessment should identify potential hazards that could cause eye trauma. And it should also evaluate the likelihood and severity of those accidents. Once the risks are identified, it's time to implement appropriate safety measures to reduce them.
2. Provide Proper Eye Protection
Employers should provide proper eye protection to workers at risk of eye injuries. That includes safety glasses, goggles, and face shields, depending on the job and the occupational hazards. Eye protection should be comfortable and fit properly. Workers should undergo training on how to use and maintain it.
Side note:
Digital eye strain (computer vision syndrome) is not an injury but could negatively affect the productivity of your team. So if your workers are spending most of their work hours on a digital screen, think about ways to support them in getting work glasses. In addition, require them to take more short and frequent breaks. Both measures can boost productivity.
RELATED ARTICLE: How to Prevent Eye Strain from Staring at Screens at Work?
3. Train Workers on Eye Safety
Workers should receive comprehensive training on eye safety. Including how to identify workplace hazards, how to use eye protection, and what to do in case of an injury. Employers should also encourage workers to report new hazards, risks, or accidents.
4. Implement Engineering Controls
Employers can also apply engineering controls to reduce eye injury risk. These controls may include physical barriers - screens and shields to protect workers from flying debris, sparks, and other hazards. Employers can also change work processes (for example, using a push stick to feed material through a saw blade rather than hands).
5. Encourage Reporting of Eye Injuries
Safe workplaces encourage workers to report any eye injuries, no matter how minor they may seem. Reporting helps to identify hazards and further improve safety policies. It also allows employers to provide prompt medical treatment and prevent future accidents.
RELATED ARTICLES: How Often Should You Visit Your Eye Doctor for an Eye Checkup?
6. Regularly Review and Update Safety Policies
For work safety policies to remain effective, employers should review and update them regularly. Evaluating the effectiveness of the measures and adjusting them on the go is key. They should also stay up-to-date with the latest safety standards and regulations. That is the only way to ensure compliance, improve practices and avoid eye injuries.
Improving work safety policies to prevent eye injuries is essential for creating a safer work environment.
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All medical facts and statements are checked by Atanas Bogoev M.D.