Many North Carolina workers are in occupations that present a high risk of eye injuries, and they as well as their employers should be aware of a few basic tips to prevent accidents. Maintaining a top-notch personal protective equipment program is crucial, as from minor scratches to the eye’s surface to serious injuries that could lead to a loss of vision, there are a variety of types of eye injuries that can occur in the workplace. Corneal abrasions, which are scratches to the surface of the eye, can occur when rubbing at a foreign object in the eye.
There are two major types of artificial tears that can help with eye injuries such as corneal abrasions. Eye drops with preservatives discourage the growth of bacteria in the eye, while preservative-free drops help protect moderately or severely dry eyes. Chemical splashes are another common type of eye injury that can occur during many hazardous working conditions. To treat chemical splashes, emergency showers and eyewash equipment should be easily accessible throughout the worksite.
It is also important to prevent eye injuries caused by flying objects, tools, particles, chemicals, and harmful radiations. Workplace safety managers should create hazard assessments with the purpose of eliminating these hazards in the workplace. Employers should learn from the mistakes of other companies that have been cited for workplace safety violations and always maintain proper safety procedures and safe conditions for employees.
Employees who sustain an eye injury while at work may be eligible to file workers’ compensation claims. Benefits could cover medical expenses as well as a portion of lost wages in some cases. An attorney who has experience with these types of matters can outline the procedures that are involved in preparing and filing a claim.
