WorkSight
2,000 eye injuries occur each day in the workplace with at least 100 of these injuries resulting in one or more days of lost work time (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health)
One third of eye injuries in the workplace require treatment in an emergency room (NIOSH)
The cost of eye injuries in the workplace is over $300 million annually.
More than 90% of all eye injuries can be prevented (Prevent Blindness America)
HOW PREVENT BLINDNESS TRI-STATE CAN HELP THROUGH OUR WORKSIGHT PROGRAM
ANNUAL CERTIFICATION / AWARDS
We can certify that your employee eye health & Safety program meets the minimum PBTS standards for eye health & Safety in the workplace. Exemplary eye health and safety programs can be submitted for awards consideration.
EYE HEALTH & EYE SAFETY INFORMATION
We can provide eye health and eye safety information for your employees at discounted rates.
EYE SAFETY TRAINING
We can help make your worksite more eye safe with employee training on the care and proper use of eye safety equipment.
EYE HEALTH
We can provide vision screenings for your employees to make sure that they have healthy vision. Poor vision can impact both work safety, productivity, and result in injuries, errors, and/or damages to equipment and materials.
TEN WAYS TO PREVENT EYE INJURIES AT WORK
Tips for creating an eye safety program at work
WORKSIGHT – Workplace Eye Safety & Health program
Operating Goal
To reduce the number of preventable eye injuries in the workplace through information, education, training, and establishing “Best Practices” for eye health and safety.
Project Summary
The WorkSight Safety & Health Program has been established by Prevent Blindness Tri-State to raise awareness of the amount of “preventable” eye related injuries that occur within the workplace each day and to reduce the number of workplace sustained eye injuries.
Project Plan Details
Two WorkSight Safety & Health Program service options will initially be offered:
• Vision Screening & Eye Safety Consultation
• WorkSight Safety & Health Eye-Q Seminar
1. Vision Screening & Eye Safety Consultation
This program will provide employees with a full vision screening (Risk Assessment, Visual Acuity, Visual Field, & Results Analysis) as well as a personalized eye safety consultation. The employee will leave the Prevent Blindness Tri-State vision screening and eye safety consultation with an understanding of the state of their visual health and the proper eye protection needed to keep their eyes safe from injury while on the job.
2. WorkSight Safety & Health Eye-Q Seminar
This program will provide employees with two hour long seminar on eye safety and health within the workplace. This program will educate employees on workplace eye injury statistics as well as the importance of wearing eye safety protection and how to assess the potential for eye hazards. The employee will be informed about common eye diseases and Eye Injury First Aid. The format of this seminar will be informal with employee participation encouraged. Handouts of eye health brochures and eye safety information will be provided, and the viewing of a short video will all be part of this seminar.
Ten Ways to Prevent Eye Injuries at Work
Nearly one million Americans have lost some degree of their sight due to an eye injury. More than 700,000 Americans injure their eyes at work each year. Luckily, 90% of all workplace eye injuries can be avoided by using proper safety eyewear.
Here are 10 ways that you can help prevent an eye injury in your workplace
ASSESS!
Look carefully at plant operations. Inspect all work areas, access routes, and equipment for hazards to eyes. Study eye accident and injury reports. Identify operations and areas the present eye hazards.
TEST!
Uncorrected vision problems can cause accidents. Provide vision testing during routine employee physical exams.
PROTECT!
Select protective eyewear that is designed for the specific duty or hazard. Protective eyewear must meet the current standards from the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 and later revisions.
FIT!
Workers need protective eyewear that fits well and is comfortable. Have eyewear fitted by an eye care professional or someone trained to do this. Provide repairs for eyewear and require each worker to be in charge of his or her own gear.
PLAN FOR AN EMERGENCY!
Set up first-aid procedures for eye injuries. Have eyewash stations that are easy to get to, especially where chemicals are used. Train workers in basic first-aid and identify those with more advanced training.
EDUCATE!
Conduct ongoing educational programs to create, keep up, and highlight the need for protective eyewear. Add eye safety to your regular employee training programs and to new employee orientation.
SUPPORT!
Management support is key to having a successful eye safety program. Management can show their support for the program by wearing protective eyewear whenever and wherever needed.
REVIEW!
Regularly review and update your accident prevention policies. Your goal should be NO eye injuries or accidents!
PUT IT IN WRITING!
Once your safety program is created, put it in writing. Display a copy of the policy in work and employee gathering areas. Include a review of the policy in new employee orientation.