Importance Of Protective Eye Equipment


by Thomson Alva - Date: 2010-07-31 - Word Count: 408 Share This!

Our eyes are the vital sensory organs that play an important role in our lives. However, at times eye accidents occur due to negligence at the work place. Whether it is due to mishandling of chemicals or due to other objects, the eyes can be seriously injured if not protected.

Personal protective equipment or PPE for the face or eyes is designed to prevent or reduce the severity of the worker's eye or face injuries. It is the responsibility of the employers to determine whether the workplace or the work itself requires the use of eye or face protection equipment before assigning the project to the workers.

The risk of exposure to the eyes or face should be determined by a hazard assessment. An employer must be fully aware of the probability of multiple hazards exposures and must provide protection even against the highest level of hazards.

Hazards come under the following categories:

Hazards from Heat: Emitting high and extreme heat, which can be produced by furnace operations, casting, pouring, hot dipping and welding.
Hazards from Impact: Flying objects like sand, dirt, particles, wood chips, and fragments produced by grinding, masonry work, sawing or sanding.
Hazards from Chemicals: Splash, vapors, fumes and irritating mists, which are produced by the mishandling of acids and chemicals, plating and working with blood.
Hazards from Optical Radiation: Radiant energy, intense light and glare produced by welding, brazing, soldering and laser work.
Hazards from Dust: Harmful Dust, which is produced by buffing, woodworking, and general dusty conditions.

While working in a hazardous workplace, workers are exposed to the above hazards and they must wear protective devices for their eyes. The importance of primary protective devices such as safety spectacles with side shields or goggles must be made aware to the workers and they must be provided while working in an hazardous environment. Again secondary protective devices like face shields must be provided along with the above primary protective devices during severe exposure of work place hazards.

A large number of eye injuries are also caused by direct contact to hazardous chemicals, which can result from inappropriate choices of personal protective equipment. Severe and irreversible damage can occur if chemical substances contact your eye even when you are wearing the protective equipment. Both workers and employers should see whether the equipment has been fitted and worn properly.

The importance of PPE or Personal protective equipment is greatly emphasized in the OSHA safety training. You can learn more about PPE in an OSHA compliance training program.

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