Hearing and sight are two of the most valuable and important things to protect in the workplace. However, while precautions can easily be taken to prevent eye injuries, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention note that about 2,000 eye-related injuries happen to workers each day. These injuries not only cause workers to miss days on the job, but also can be severe enough to cause permanent damage. This is both dangerous for  employees and can be counterproductive and costly for businesses. It's in everyone's best interests to make eye safety a priority in the workplace - here are five tips to get you started:

1. Wear the proper protection
The American Optometric Association highlights the importance of always wearing eye protection that is appropriate for your work conditions. For example, safety glasses may be best for work conditions in which dust or flying particles are a frequent hazard, such as in most industrial fabricating environments. Variations of the glasses come with protective side-shields that provide a more comprehensive shield against debris. Goggles, on the other hand, are necessary in environments where chemicals or diseases are present. Goggles provide a tight shield over the eyes to ensure that liquids such as chemical splashes don't make contact with the eyes or direct area around them. In some cases, face shields or other larger protective measures may be needed. 

2. Eliminate hazards  
A workplace culture that makes safety a priority will organically encourage workers to reduce and avoid hazards. Installing safety measures such as transparent shields around tools or in other areas where workers are at risk will ensure that they're not relying on protective eyewear alone. Also, make a point of educating and training workers on the dangers that are specific to your workplace. Develop protocols that encourage general safety, especially in regard to when and where employees should wear protective gear such as eyewear or hearing protection. 

3. Keep lenses clean  
If workers can't see, their eyes might not be the only thing at risk. Honeywell notes that eyewear must provide a clear view of the work area to be truly effective. The source notes that in workplaces where lots of dust and grit is constantly in the air, anti-scratch eyewear is imperative. Again, this means that you should research the appropriate eyewear for your line of work. For example, if you and your colleagues are working outdoors on a regular basis, finding eyewear that also has sun protection. 

4. Have first aid readily available  
While you can take a lot of steps in the workplace to prevent eye injuries, there's no excuse for being ill-prepared when one is sustained. Make sure to have a comprehensive first aid kit on hand to address any work-related injuries, but in particular have eye wash and eye drops readily available. For minor irritation caused by dust or grit, eye wash rinse will likely do the trick. However, for more serious eye injuries where a basic eye wash rinse isn't enough or if there was exposure to acids or chemicals, the use of an emergency eyewash station will be necessary.

5. Replace damaged goods  
As eyewear should be used on a regular basis in certain workplaces, odds are eventually safety glasses or goggles will get cracked, scratched or broken. In such situations, protective eyewear may reduce visibility or not provide comprehensive protection. To keep your eyewear in good condition, clean your equipment regularly, hang it up after use and make sure not to leave eyewear in places where it can easily get broken.

Eye protection should not be taken lightly, especially when working environments pose risks to your employees occupational safety. MFASCO has a number of resources available to restock your eye protection supplies, and ensure that your safety glasses & face fields are properly maintained, functional, and sanitized.

Workplace Eye Protection Products & Accessories:

• Safety Glasses
• Face Protection & Safety Glasses Cleaning Supplies
• Accessories for Safety Glasses & Face Protection

Additional Resources for Workplace Eye Protection:

• How do Safety Glasses Protect Your Eyes
• 5 Tips for Workplace Safety
• How to Select the Right PPE Gear
• Vocational School Safety Eyewear

In some cases, to get a truly immersive experience in science or manufacturing, students might work with materials or tools that pose certain risks. While steps are taken to protect students' body parts that actually come in contact with the material, eye safety can go overlooked. Here are some eye safety guidelines to keep in mind while working in chemistry and shop class:

Chemistry class eye safety
Chemistry class experiments may involve potentially dangerous materials, such as alkalis and acids.

Provide equipment - Safety goggles need to be provided for each student. The American Chemical Society states safety glasses do not provide enough protection from possible chemical spills. Goggles must be worn throughout the duration of the laboratory experiences, from the very initial stages of set up until all the equipment is cleaned and put away.

Maintain your protective goggles. Make sure there are no cracks or damage to the surface. Make sure the goggles are clean. Students should be able to see clearly to prevent errors. In the event of a mistake, a chemical eyewash station or eyewash solution should be available.

Prepare treatment - If a chemical does come in contact with a student's eyes, be aware of the treatment practice for each substance. Most chemicals should be rinsed out immediately, so you need to make use of your eye wash station or solution. In the case of severe burns, contact emergency professionals.

Shop class eye safety Shop class safety should be handled with the same amount of care as chemistry classes, but working with high-powered tools can present its own set of unique challenges.

Identify hazards - The CDC warns small particles such as metal slivers and wood chips are the primary cause of eye injury when working a construction project. Be aware of what tools throw off the most debris and what areas are in the possible hazard zone. Emphasize safety the moment students step into a work area.

Safety glasses protect students from small debris.

Provide equipment - Eye protection should be worn by everyone in every part of the work area. Safety glasses should provide adequate protection from particle projectiles. Normal glasses and contacts will not be enough. Make sure all safety glasses are in good shape and offer clear vision.

In the event of working with larger tools that might generate heat or other further dangers, you need to provide face shields or similar protection.

Prepare treatment - If debris gets in a student's eye, you should contact health officials. In some cases, you can try gently cleaning out the eye with water or eyewash solution. If this does not work, you should just protect the affected eye with bandages and wait for professional help. It is unwise for teachers or students to remove debris themselves and risk further injury to the eye.

These two classes offer the most potential safety concerns, but eye safety should be considered in any educational experience that involves unique materials and direct student involvement.

When looking at water recreation safety, there are a few common incidents to prepare for.

Drowning Swimming is fun, but it can also be dangerous. The CDC listed drowning as the fifth-leading cause of unintentional injury death in the U.S. About 10 people die from drowning every day, and of those 10, two will be age 14 or younger. All institutions offering pools or swimming activities should take these steps to limit the risk of drowning:

Barriers - Barriers are especially helpful in preventing drowning injury to very small children. If you have a home pool, you should have some sort of fencing that separates the pool from the rest of the yard. Hotels and schools that keep their pools in separate rooms should restrict access using locked doors and scheduled hours of use. If possible, cover the top of the pool when it is not in use.

Prohibit alcohol - Facilities, especially water parks and vacation resorts, should restrict use of alcohol by guests. Even small pools, like hot tubs, can be a drowning risk if the victim is inebriated.

Offer swim classes - If a school or camp offers swimming activities, it should also provide instructors and swim lessons to help reduce the risk of injury.

Trained staff - A facility should employ lifeguards for its water recreation features. Lifeguards should be accomplished swimmers who are trained in CPR and other life-saving strategies.

Emergency equipment- Your staff should be trained on how to deliver basic first aid. Every pool should have first aid kits and larger facilities should have a medical station. It is important for floatation devices, like U.S. Coast Guard approved life jackets, to be available. The CDC stated inflatable pool toys should not be treated as lifesaving devices.

Employing a lifeguard and providing the proper equipment are important safety practices.

The swimming pool has a number of hazards that can lead to minor injury. Slippery surfaces around the water edge and diving boards are two of the most common causes. Children might also scrape themselves against the walls or bottom of the pool.

The International Life Saving Federation found 45 percent of lifeguard first aid activity involved wound management. Bandages and gauze should be available, as well as disinfectants for open wounds. It is important to deal with bleeding quickly as to avoid infection.Twenty-five percent of injuries were treated with ICE (ice, compression and elevation). Ice packs are a necessity, especially in hot summer months.

Chemical accidents Pools use cleaning chemicals to prevent bodily fluids from these injuries, as well as other pollutants, from making the water unsafe. When deployed correctly, these chemicals kill germs, improve water quality, maintain equipment and prevent algae growth. Facilities should make use of chemical solutions but should be careful in doing so.

Eye wash stations should be available for any facility that uses powerful chemical cleaners.

People handling these chemicals should use the proper PPE to ensure their safety. Protective goggles and gloves should be common practice. Make use of respiratory masks, especially if chemicals are being handled in small spaces.

In the event of a spill, tend to it immediately. Close off the area if possible. Alarms and warning systems should be in place. Chemical showers and eyewash stations, or eyewash solution for mobility, should be available to staff and patrons.

Certain environments may necessitate unique safety equipment, and signs can also help identify hard-to-spot classroom features. For example, while students should always wear protective goggles when working in a science lab, a chemistry classroom would benefit from an eye washing station. Have an eye wash symbol safety sign so even if you're not in the classroom, students and other staff members can safely direct the victim to the station. Safety and education go hand-in-hand, so make sure your classroom is equipped to handle common first aid emergencies.

MFASCO Health & Safety Provides Easy Access to The Right Classroom Safety Information and Products

School First Aid Kits & Accessories

Additional Resources for First Aid in Schools

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We're available to help you find the right supplies for your first aid kits. If you have questions or need assistance refilling your first aid kit, give us a call at 800-221-9222

At a construction site 
If you're working construction or another job with tools, you're at risk for several types of burns. For example, a construction worker may sustain a heat burn by picking up a tool that was recently used by a co-worker and is still hot. Without the right PPE - in this case gloves - this could result in the worker burning his or her hands, which then may crack and blister. In such a situation, the first thing that should be assessed is the severity of the burn. If it is a minor burn, the National Institutes of Health recommend soaking the affected area under cool water for at least five minutes, then drying the burn and dressing it with a dry, sterile bandage. The NIH notes that ibuprofen may be used to reduce pain and swelling and that a burn lotion can be applied later to help heal the wound.

Electrical burns may also occur when working with wiring or power lines. Again, creating a safe work environment and wearing the proper safety clothing are of utmost importance. This type of burn is often severe, and whether or not a person feels OK after, he or she should see a doctor as soon as possible. According to the Mayo Clinic, electrical burns can cause internal tissue damage that requires immediate medical attention. The source advises using a sterile bandage to cover any burned areas until help arrives.

Lastly, sunburn is a type of radiation burn that can occur from overexposure. If you're working outside all day, wear appropriate clothes to shade your body and sunscreen.

Wear appropriate PPE to avoid burns at a work site.

As with other burns, use dry gauze or bandages to cover the burned area. If a chemical burn is severe, seek immediate medical attention.

While ice and frozen foods are often on hand in most kitchens, be wary of using these items to cool burns. The exposed area may have less feeling than normal due to the burn, which in turn will prevent you from recognizing that the cold object is causing frostbite. Instead, rinse the burnt area under cool water for several minutes and then cover with a dry bandage.