When you are at work, you know that there are some hazards that could lead to injuries. Construction sites, by their nature, are not the safest places to be. There are many people around. You have to handle heavy machinery. You are exposed to fall risks, electrical hazards and debris.
Among the injuries that you could suffer, eye injuries are some of the most significant. It’s important that you and your coworkers have information about how to keep your eyes safe, so you don’t damage your eyes.
Construction workers: Suffering high rates of eye injuries
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention state that construction workers have some of the highest rates of eye injuries in the workplace. They are often exposed to debris and particles that could get into the eyes and cause damage. For example, some common kinds of debris on a construction site include:
- Dust
- Metal
- Slag
- Cement
- Wood
- Drywall
Unfortunately, even a relatively minor eye injury could cause significant changes to a person’s sight and cause lifelong vision problems. Something like a scratch from metal slivers or getting sawdust in your eye could lead to painful corneal erosion, for instance.
How can you keep your sight safe?
Any time you’re working, it’s important to wear the right kind of eye protection. If you’ll be around dust or debris, it’s wise to wear eye protection, such as safety goggles or glasses, to minimize the risk of those particles getting into your eyes.
The right kind of eye safety equipment for you will depend on what you’re doing, but eye and face protection standards do exist. All safety eyewear should be marked with “Z87” or “Z87+,” according to the CDC.
What do you need to do if you get hurt at work?
If you get something into your eyes or suffer an eye injury on the job, you need to seek emergency medical treatment. If debris is left in the eyes, it’s possible that the injury could continue to worsen and threaten your vision. After you seek help, you can look into making a claim against your workers’ compensation coverage, so you can get the financial support you need.