Substantial eye protection (toolbox talk)

Eye safety is a niche but very important component of any workplace health and safety program. Conduct this eye protection toolbox talk with your workers to remind them of the safety measures they should take.

Eye protection toolbox talk overview

This toolbox talk will cover:

• Main causes of eye injuries
• Use of eye PPE
• Other ways to prevent injury

Preventing eye injuries is as much about wearing the right equipment as it is about practicing safe behaviors. Following the proper operation instructions for any equipment you’re using is critical to not only your safety but the safety of everyone else in the area.

Causes of eye injuries

You’d be surprised by how many eye safety hazards you encounter each day. Some are more noticeable like flying debris from equipment, while others like airborne chemical hazards are more subtle.

The top causes of eye injuries are:

• Projectiles from processes like cutting, grinding, and welding
• Hazardous chemicals that cause burns
• Radiation from bright light sources like lasers
• Equipment hazards that cause impact injuries

Preventing these injuries is easier when you wear protective equipment and practice safe work behaviors.

Proper eye PPE use

Using the right PPE for each task can literally save you from total vision loss or worse. Examples of equipment you might need include safety glasses or goggles, face shields, and helmets.

Proper PPE goes beyond picking the right equipment for each task. It also involves inspecting PPE before each use for damage. The last thing you want is to think your goggles will protect you, only to have an accident happen and realize they weren’t properly secured. Regularly check for scratches as well, so you know when to replace worn out gear.

Ensuring the right fit is key for injury prevention. Eyewear should sit as close to your face as possible without touching your eyelashes. It shouldn’t be crooked or loose, both of which can cause PPE failures. Remember, regular glasses are NOT a substitute for ANSI-rated safety glasses. When in doubt, pick eyewear that’s certified for the type of work you’re doing.

Other ways to avoid injury

Aside from wearing the right eye protection, you can also prevent eye injuries by:

• Doing a hazard inspection of the work area before starting tasks
• Checking to make sure that machine guards are in place
• Knowing where the closest eyewash station is in the area
• Reporting any vision problems to management as soon as possible
• Ensuring proper ventilation when using hazardous chemicals

For these measures to work, they have to be habits. For workplace eye safety, a proactive approach is the only way to avoid injury and long-term vision problems.