Eye injuries at work are common. Luckily, 90 percent of all workplace eye injuries are preventable with the use of proper safety eyewear.

• Unprotected workers will not knowingly be subjected to environmental hazards.
• Protective eyewear is required whenever there is a reasonable probability eye injury may occur.
• Employers must provide the type of eye protection best suited to the task to be performed. Employees are required to use the eye protectors provided.

A written eye safety program should be implemented in the workplace to help prevent workplace eye injuries.

Employers should consider these tips in developing their safety plan:

• Determine potential of eye injury for the tasks performed.
• Decide how best to protect against the injury, e.g., dark lenses for welding, face-shield for flying objects, tight seal for chemical spills, etc.
• Identify the visual needs of the job, e.g., magnification, dark lenses, etc.
• Post rules requiring when and how eye protection should be used.
• Provide adequate supplies of eye protection and have them readily available at the work site.
• Instruct employees on appropriate treatment if injury should occur.
• Require vision screening for new employees to determine any eye disease.