March marks Workplace Eye Wellness Month, a time to focus on protecting our eyes in all types of work environments. Whether you’re staring at a computer screen, navigating harsh office lighting, or dealing with flying objects and debris in more industrial settings, your eyes face constant challenges.
Workplace Eye Injuries
Some of the most common causes of workplace eye injuries include:
- Flying objects
- Tools
- Particles
- Chemicals
- Computer Screens
- Harmful Radiation
- And, any combination of these or other hazards
Prevention
Eye injuries can be common in any industry, including industrial, office, etc. No matter the industry, you can take proactive measures to keep your eyes safe and healthy. At minimum, there are 3 things you can do to prevent eye injuries, including:
- Know workplace safety hazards that may affect the eyes
- Eliminate or control hazards prior to starting work; use machine guards, work screens, or other engineering controls
- And, use proper eye protection
Prevention methods for office workers may differ from the tips listed above. Digital eye strain is common amongst office workers. Some symptoms of digital eye strain, or computer vision syndrome, include tired, burning or itchy eyes, dry eyes, blurred vision, or headaches. To prevent digital eye strain:
- Place your screen 20-26 inches away from your eyes and slightly below eye level
- Change the lighting to lower glare and harsh reflections
- Buy an adjustable chair
- Chose screens that can tilt or swivel; choose a keyboard that can adjust
- Wear computer glasses with yellow-tinted lenses; these block the blue light and can ease digital eye strain
- And, take frequent breaks using the 20-20-20 rule; Every 20 minutes, look away from your screen and look at an object 20 feet away for 20 seconds
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Whenever there is a risk of eye injury, you should wear eye protection. Regardless if you’re working in the hazardous area or just passing through, you should be equipped with protection. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) that can protect the eyes from injuries include:
- Non-prescription and prescription safety glasses
- Goggles
- Face Shields
- Welding helmets
- And, full-face respirators
The type PPE you should wear depends on the hazards within your workplace. If your work area has particles, flying objects, or dust, wear safety glasses with side protection. Areas where you may be exposed to chemicals, wear goggles. If you’re exposed to hazardous radiation, wear special-purpose safety glasses, goggles, face shields, or helmets designed for the task.
Conclusion
Workplace Eye Wellness Month is an excellent opportunity to refresh workers on eye protection best practices through safety meetings, reinforcing the importance of using protective measures to prevent eye injuries.
Eye health should remain a priority year-round. The small changes you make today—whether it’s adjusting your workspace, taking more frequent breaks, or using protective gear—can have a lasting impact on your eye comfort and vision.