According to OSHA, thousands of people are blinded each year by preventable work-related eye injuries. Proper eye and face protection would have prevented those injuries. Eye injuries can be caused by exposure to hazards, heat, chemicals, dust, and optical radiation. Take the time to identify the hazards and protect your eyes.

The right eyewear will protect you from common hazards:

Impact hazards include flying objects such as chips, sparks, particles, sand, and dirt. Tasks that create impact hazards include chipping, grinding, machining, masonry work, woodworking, sawing, drilling and chiseling.

Heat is a hazard when you are near processes that create high temperatures. Examples include open flames, industrial furnaces, and welding.

Chemical hazards can include splashes, fumes, vapors, and mists. These hazards can exist when you handle acids or other chemicals, when you apply spray finishes or coatings, and even when you’re cleaning parts.

Harmful dust can be created during buffing, woodworking, and sanding operations.

Optical radiation is a hazard when you’re welding, torch-cutting, brazing, soldering, and working with high-powered lasers.

Although the horn-rimmed designs of long ago still work, eye protection has come a long way. Today, safety glasses can be comfortable and even look good while they protect your eyes. The latest standard is ANSI Z 87.1-2010. When you look for new eye protection, make sure that it meets that standard. It will have a label with that number on it.

There are many different options for eye protection:  safety glasses  with side shields provide protection from front and side impacts;  goggles  protect your eyes from top, side, and bottom impacts; splash goggles protect you from chemical splashes because they don’t let liquids in; welding goggles filter out ultraviolet radiation; and face shields protect your whole face from dust, sprays, heat, splashes, and flying particles. Wear goggles or safety glasses under the face shield.

Wash glasses, goggles, and face shields when they get dirty. Use a solution of water and a very mild soap. Dry them with a clean, soft, cotton cloth. Don’t use harsh chemicals or cleaners that have any abrasives.

Eye injuries can happen on the job or at home, so remember to protect your eyes all the time: when you’re mowing the lawn, changing the oil in your car, or spreading fertilizer; even when you’re playing sports. Take care of your eyes. They are easy to injure, hard to fix, and impossible to replace.

 Eye injuries are the leading cause of blindness in kids.  Protect your kids and teach them to avoid eye injuries