According to the Centers for Disease Control, there are nearly 800,000 work-related eye injuries each year. Every day, approximately 2,000 U.S. workers receive medical treatment for eye injuries related to or sustained at work. While vision loss is one of the 10 most common disabilities, 90 percent of eye injuries are preventable.
How and Where Do Eye Injuries Most Often Occur?
• Most occur with those who operate heavy machinery or equipment with moving parts
and those who work in construction
• 70% caused by an object or piece of equipment
• 26% due to exposure to harmful substances or environments
Each year, 15,000 welding equipment-related eye injuries and 10,000 power tool-related eye injuries occur, according to The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.
These injuries come with significant costs. An estimated $300 million annually in medical bills, compensation, and lost productivity are the result of workplace eye injuries, with more than 27,000 lost work days being reported by private industry employees.
The Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) has established a wide range of standards regarding workplace eye and face protection to guard against chemical, environmental, radiological or mechanical irritants.
Wearing the proper safety glasses in the workplace can significantly reduce the risk of suffering a work-related eye injury.
For more information about safety glasses or for any other eye wellness questions, please call Heritage Eye, Skin & Laser Center at 209.465.5933.
