Types of Injury

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), approximately 2,000 people per day suffer a job-related eye injury that requires some form of medical treatment in the U.S. Approximately one-third of these injuries result in a trip to the emergency room, and about 5 percent of them result in at least one day of missed work. Most accidents are minor - in fact, most of these injuries are caused by tiny particles, such as sawdust or metal shavings, striking or scratching the eye.

In addition to the risks from impact injuries, workers also risk chemical and thermal burns due to splashing chemicals. Welders are especially at risk to ocular damage due to their constant exposure to ultraviolet radiation. Health care workers often risk exposure to infectious disease due to their contact with germs, as well as exposure to harmful chemicals and drugs.

PPE protects against most of these risks, but it is important to know what the most common types of eye injury are and how to prevent them. Remember, they are:

• Impact
• Heat
• Chemical
• Dust
• Optical radiation

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