Research shows that 90% of eye injuries could have been prevented with the right protection.[1] A combination of carefully selected control measures is often necessary to protect staff against workplace hazards such as optical radiation, impacts and chemical handling.
Following the hierarchy of controls, elimination of the hazard should be the first step wherever possible. In some cases materials can be substituted for a less dangerous alternative.
Engineering and administrative controls come next – changing the workplace or processes to minimise risk to employees. PPE is the last line of defence after other measures have been implemented.
Elimination
To eliminate hazards, consider whether the task is necessary. The best way to prevent an injury is to avoid the task.
For example, to eliminate impact hazards from cutting tasks, could the material be purchased pre-cut?
Substitution
If a hazard cannot be eliminated, the next step is substitution. Can you find a less dangerous alternative?
In workplaces where staff are exposed to hazardous substances, switching to a different substance can reduce eye injury risks.
It is important to assess substitutions carefully to make sure the alternative is still suitable for the task and effective in reducing the risk level.
Engineering controls
After trying to eliminate or substitute the hazard, engineering controls can be implemented to minimise risk by changing how the workplace is set up.
Installing guards on machinery, such as drills, helps to reduce the risk of impact injuries.
As another example, using enclosures can protect employees against liquid splashes or harmful gases when handling chemicals.
Administrative controls
Administrative controls involve changing work processes. Set up the workflow to minimise the number of employees or time spent exposed to a hazard.
In welding applications, keep non-welders and visitors out of the area where welding work takes place to prevent unnecessary exposure to optical radiation.
This can also be applied to tasks with impact or chemical hazards.
Personal eye protection
If it is not possible to control the risks with other measures, PPE should be provided to protect staff.
Personal eye protection will often be needed in combination with other measures, as a failsafe to combat residual risk. In the case of chemical enclosures, eye protection is worn as a backup measure, providing another layer of protection should the enclosure fail.
It is important to make sure eye protection is:
- Worn when it should be – Surveys show 60% of injured workers were not wearing eye protection when the accident occurred.[2]
- Correctly fitted – Eye protection must be fitted correctly to provide adequate coverage and optical performance.
- In good condition – Scratched or damaged eye protection should be replaced to maintain protection.
When selecting a product, assess the hazards and necessary performance features. Eye protection must be suitable for the task and wearer to prevent injuries without introducing additional risk. Find out more about selecting eye protection.
Consider additional controls and PPE
As well as eye protection, other types of controls may be required to combat additional hazards.
- Dusts, fumes and gases can present a respiratory risk – make sure to assess exposure and determine the appropriate measures to protect staff.
- Consider whether head protection is needed to protect against impact injuries.
- If workplace noise exceeds legal action values, steps must be taken to reduce exposure and prevent hearing damage.
How to set up a Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE) programme
A full risk assessment must be conducted to identify hazards, determine appropriate controls and ensure the correct selection of PPE. For more information about workplace safety measures visit the new Ask JSP website.