Main Irritants Common to the Workplace

There are five main types of irritants common to the workplace:

• Impact injuries most often occur from flying or falling objects, or sparks striking a worker's eyes. These objects do not have to be very large at all to hurt: Most injury-causing objects are smaller than the head of a pin! Despite their small size, these projectiles can cause injuries that include punctures, bruises, cuts, and scrapes. Workers can use a face shield, along with a primary protector like safety spectacles or goggles.
• Heat can cause injuries to the eyes and face when workers get exposed to high temperatures, molten metal, fire or hot sparks.
• Chemicals exposure from splashes, mists, vapors, or fumes can cause serious, if not irreversible, damage. Many of these injuries could be prevented by using proper PPE.
• Dust injuries can occur during woodworking and buffing projects. Contact lens wearers are particularly susceptible to these injuries. Goggles are advised to be worn because they create a protective seal around the eyes.
• Optical radiation refers to the intense concentration of heat, ultraviolet, infrared, and reflected light radiation produced when working with lasers. Some laser beams can be more intense than direct sunlight and can cause more damage. Unprotected laser exposure can lead to blindness, retinal burns, cataracts, and other serious eye injuries.

To learn more about Eye & Face Protection visit our Eye & Face Protection Online Training web page.