Eye Accidents Change Lives Forever

An alarming sixty per cent of all eye injuries happen in the workplace, most of which can be prevented. optometrists Association Australia (OAA) recommends every workplace, regardless of industry, should have eye safety procedures in place.

Eye accidents can be avoided by taking simple precautions and making sure employees have appropriate eye protection. This may be in the form of prescription or non-prescription safety eyewear, suitable for the type of work they are doing.

Optometrists are visiting workplaces and working with employers to conduct vision screenings which involve identification and analysis of the visual comfort and visual hazards in the specific workplace setting.

Employers are legally required to provide a safe working environment. It’s imperative that employers and employees work together to ensure eye safety procedures are in place to prevent accidents. optometrists can provide advice in this area to help ensure workplaces are aware of all of their responsibilities in eye safety.

Eye injuries in the workplace are most commonly caused by grinding and welding related activities, occurring most often within the construction, manufacturing, agriculture, forestry, fishing and mining industries. Another common cause is workers walking by or helping others perform tasks without wearing any, or the appropriate, eye protection.

Optometrists Association and campaign sponsor HOYA Lens Australia intend for this to be the first step in a long term campaign which aims to reduce the number of eye injuries caused by workplace hazards.  Occupational Health & Safety awareness is growing considerably in the community and we see our alliance with optometrists Association as a key component in ensuring our industry is well educated in the application of safety eyewear, said Brad Bairstow, HOYA Lens Australia’s Sales and Marketing Director.