Each day, about 2000 U.S. workers have a job-related eye injury requiring medical treatment.

Think about that for a moment. All of those injuries were preventable with effective safety training.

Now, about one third of the injuries are treated in emergency rooms, and over one hundred of these incidents result at least one day of lost work.

We can do better in protecting our workforce and reducing costly out of production time.

To help you prevent eye injuries, here is a simple checklist brought to you by The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.

1. Create a safer workplace by evaluating the site for primary hazards
   • Look to Minimize dangers from falling or unstable debris
   • And consider environmental factors of wind and dust
2. Make sure tools are working properly
   • That each worker has received instruction on correct use of tools
   • And that safety features like machine guards are in place
3. Wear the right eye and face protection.
   • Match appropriate eye protection with the hazards of the job.
   • Make sure protective eyewear is in good condition. Broken eyewear or face shields work against you.
   • …and make sure eye equipment fits properly and securely.
4. Take the time to work smarter.
   • Brush or vacuum dust and debris from hardhats, hair, or the top of the eye protection before taking it off.
   • Do not rub eyes with dirty hands or clothing.
   • Clean eyewear regularly.
5. Prepare for eye injuries and first aid needs.
   • Have an eye wash or sterile solution on hand.

Let’s prevent the preventable and remember these tips and your safety training to reduce eye injuries; we only get one pair.