Eye Protection Programme: Identification, Elimination and Control Of Ocular Hazards: Part I

In the past the safety of the employee was normally considered to be the employee’s responsibility and little liability was placed upon the employer. However, in more recent years the trend has been reversed and the employer is primarily responsible for the safety of the employees.

This has led to claims for compensation, fines and obligations to provide financial support during absence from work, as well as the cost of lost production. It has therefore become worthwhile for employers to invest in accident prevention programmes. The main aim of an eye protection programme is to identify potential ocular hazards and then to eliminate or control them. This will not only fulfill legal obligations but will also have economic advantages.

A reduction in eye injuries will result in a reduction of insurance and medical expenses. There will be a reduction in lost production, work replacement and retraining costs for those who, due to injury, cannot continue in their previous job. An improvement in the employee/employer relationship may also result from the instigation of an eye production programme. The prevention of the devastating effects that visual impairment causes to both the employee and their family, should not be forgotten.

Naturally, the expenses incurred in developing such a programme will have to be evaluated. These will include the fees for a consultant to carry out the initial survey and the cost of implementation. This may involve modifying manufacturing processes to either eliminate or control the hazards; this may be expensive. There is the cost of providing and maintaining eye protection for employees and  finally, there is the cost of employee education concerning ocular hazards of their jobs and use of eye protectors where necessary. The eye protection programme may contain the following parts:

1. Plant environment survey;
2. Vision screening;
3. Implementation of the programme;
4. Maintenance of the programme.

Plant environment survey

Initially, the potential hazards of the plant should be assessed. For example, there may be acids, flying particles from a lathe, or radiation from welding, against which the eyes need to be protected. The area of the plant and any particular dangerous task should be noted. Once the hazard has been identified, a method of eliminating or controlling it must be devised. Hazards may be eliminated at their source by modifying the design of the machinery or equipment and the layout of the work place.

In some circumstances non-hazardous material may be used instead of the original hazardous ones. If the hazard cannot be eliminated then it must be controlled or contained. Screens or splash guards can be fitted around machines; exhaust systems installed to remove dust, gases or fumes from the atmosphere; and water sprays can be used to reduce the problems of dust in the atmosphere. The wearing of eye protectors should be the last option. If eye protectors are required then the areas where they should be worn must be clearly marked.

There is little doubt that poor lighting can be a contributory factor in some accidents. Lighting conditions should be assessed for the various tasks to check that they are appropriate for the job to be performed efficiently.

Sites of emergency first aid equipment should be noted and the need for any additional equipment and their placement should also be assessed. For example, where chemicals are being used, a water fountain or shower unit should be installed to provide rapid dousing with water to dilute any chemicals accidentally splashed on an employee.

Accident records from the factory first aid center can be analyzed to determine where and how ocular injuries have occurred. A note should always be made of whether eye protectors were being worn at the time of injury and, if not, whether they should have been. This information can be very useful in determining areas where injuries are likely to occur and in investigating their causes to prevent any further injuries.

Vision screening

The visual efficiency of the employees is one aspect that is often neglected. Various studies have shown that about one-third of employees have vision below the standard required for their occupation and there has been a considerable amount of research supporting the relationship between accidents and defective vision. For example, one study cited found that when vision screening was carried out in large steel works, employees whose vision was below the standard required were found to have experienced on average 20 percent more accidents than those who were visually efficient. Obviously, an employee whose vision is below standard is more likely to sustain self-injuries and to injure colleagues.

Methods of assessing the visual efficiency of the employees may be carried out using a screening method. Vision screening can be carried out to detect those employees whose vision is not up to the vision standard required. Employee's found to have a visual defect can then be referred to a qualified person for further investigation. Fortunately, the majority of cases can be corrected, given appropriate professional advice and correct treatment.

Continue From: Part II

Photo Credit: medicaloptics.ie