March has been declared as Workplace Eye Wellness Month, along with Brain Injury Awareness Month, National Ladder Safety Month, and National Nutrition Month.
According to Prevent Blindness, the leading cause of eye injuries is contact with objects or debris due to improper use of eye safety products. It's a stark reminder of the necessity for safety managers to prioritize eye protection within their teams.
Is your team equipped with enough eye protection?
Is use of eye protection being enforced?
We are challenging our safety teams to ensure that every worker has the necessary gear to shield their eyes from flying particles, chemicals, and other hazards. Recommended safety gear includes eye shields, goggles, glasses or face shields to protect against hazards. Vision is precious - we rely on it for productivity and independence. By encouraging diligent eye protection and safety habits, safety managers can help employees maintain good eye health for years to come.
But it's not just physical hazards that threaten our vision in the workplace. With the widespread use of digital devices, another concern emerges: digital eye strain.
Prolonged exposure to screens can lead to discomfort and vision problems over time. To combat this, experts recommend simple strategies like
- adjusting screen positioning
- ensuring adequate lighting
-wearing computer glasses
- taking regular breaks to rest the eyes
The statistics are staggering – globally, approximately 35 million workplace eye injuries occur each year, underscoring the urgent need for proactive measures to protect our vision. Vision is invaluable, not just for our productivity but also for our independence. As we observe Workplace Eye Wellness Month this March, let's commit to making eye health a top priority in our workplaces. Together, we can ensure that every worker has the tools and knowledge they need to protect their vision and thrive in their roles. Let's keep our eyes safe, today and every day.
Remember, your vision matters – protect it!
We've included a few stats and tips you can share:
- Prevent Blindness has declared March as Workplace Eye Wellness Month to promote eye safety and protection at work.
- Eye injuries are common in the workplace, with around 18,500 occurring in the US in 2020. Most are caused by objects/debris contacting the eye.
- Globally, around 35 million workplace eye injuries occur each year according to a recent report.
- Recommended safety gear includes eye protection against flying objects, particles, chemicals, etc. Prevent Blindness offers workplace safety resources.
- Prolonged digital device use can cause digital eye strain. Recommendations include proper positioning, lighting, computer glasses, and breaks.
- Vision should be a priority to maintain productivity and independence.
