This safety meeting will require some effort on your part! I’m assigning everyone a homework task. But don’t panic—this homework will be a piece of cake! On your way home today is spend the evening observing the many beautiful things in this world! For just one evening, stop taking your eyesight for granted! Let me suggest the following activities.
As you leave the workplace today, look up, down and all around, observing the beauty around you. See the blue sky, the many shades of leaves in the trees, and the different birds that occupy them. When you get home, watch your children play and notice how their eyes light up when Daddy or Mommy gets home.
Have you ever stopped to think how wonderful your eyesight really is? Well, think about it. For about two minutes, close your eyes completely and contemplate how life would be if you lost your eyesight! That’s it—your homework is complete! Did you envision how your life would change if you couldn’t see? Did your thoughts include any of the following?
Does this sound like something you want to experience? I didn’t think so! Is there a way to prevent this from happening? You bet—wear your eye protection! It is estimated that 90% of eye injuries are preventable with the proper use of safety eyewear. What does this tell us? Many people do not wear proper eye protection!
Let’s examine a few operations that present eye hazards:
Once you have determined the eye hazards, you need to select the best protection usage. Safety eyewear comes in many different types and styles, from glasses with side shields to goggles and helmets. Always use the right personal protection for the specific eye or face hazard.
Types of Protection
Safety Glasses. Impact-resistant lenses with side shields
Side shields. These protect against particles that might enter the eyes from the side. Side shields are made of wire mesh or plastic. Eyecup type side shields provide the best protection.
Goggles. Protect from impact, dust, and splashes.
Face Shields. Not for eye protection. Use for face protection with chemicals or when grinding or chipping. Other eye protection is required.
Welding Shields. Fitted with filtered lenses. Protect face & eyes from burns when welding, brazing, soldering and cutting.
Your eyesight is a precious gift. Please do not wait until it’s too late to come to your senses. If your work presents an exposure to eye hazards, wear your eye protection.