Page 96 - Occupational Health & Safety, June 2018

VISION PROTECTION
Furthermore, the removal of safety glass- es leaves them vulnerable to injury, and if caught without their PPE, their non- compliance could cost the company in OSHA violations.
To combat the effects of ill-fitting eye- wear, look to manufacturers that conduct ongoing research into facial profiles and anthropomorphic fit. Millennials now com- prise the majority of the U.S. workforce, and they’re also our most diverse generation yet. Be mindful of their preference for custom- izable eyewear that affords them a personal
fit. Recent innovations in eyewear design and materials have led to significant ad- vances in adjustability, flexibility, and com- fort features so more workers can achieve a safe, secure, personalized fit.
There is also a direct link between safety eyewear style and compliance. When work- ers don’t feel their eyewear looks good, they are more likely to remove it, even in the presence of hazards. Look for eyewear from manufacturers offering popular sport- inspired, three-quarter or half frame styles that look as good at play as they do at work.
With abundant shapes, sizes, and colors to choose from, there’s a style to meet every- one’s needs so workers can wear their eye- wear all day long with confidence.
Combat Fog to Bolster Safety
and Productivity
Fogging is the No. 1 challenge faced by safety eyewear users. Another way to sup- port productivity and compliance is by se- lecting eyewear with an effective anti-fog lens coating. Hot and/or humid environ- ments, transitions between warm and cold environments, and worker exertion—all key ingredients for fogging—are common across oil and gas applications. When mois- ture condenses on lenses, the amassing wa- ter droplets distort or completely compro- mise workers’ view both of the task at hand and of nearby hazards.
To eliminate fog, workers must remove their eyewear and wipe it clear. If done in the work zone, productivity dips, compli- ance is in violation, and the worker risks injury to the eyes and body. If he leaves the work zone to clear lenses, productivity dips further. Combat the effects of fog by choosing a proven, consistent, long-lasting anti-fog lens coating from a reliable manu- facturer. Those with dynamic dual-action hydrophilic and hydrophobic properties applied using an intense curing process achieve the longest-lasting results. Recent breakthroughs in AF coating allow workers to enjoy a clear, safe view even in extreme heat and humidity.
Most people value their sense of sight above all others, and providing the proper eye protection is key to keeping oil and gas workers’ eyes safe each day. This process can be simplified by aligning with a manu- facturer that understands your industry, its diverse hazards, and its workers’ unique needs. By making informed safety eyewear selections, employers can support not only overall safety, but also compliance and pro- ductivity, benefits in which every organiza- tion sees great value.
Wanda Sanchez-Miller is the senior prod- uct marketing manager, Uvex safety eyewear (www.uvex.us), with Honeywell Safety and Productivity Solutions.
REFERENCES
1. http://www.api.org/~/media/Files/Policy/ Infrastructure/API-Infrastructure-Study-2017.pdf
92 Occupational Health & Safety | JUNE 2018
www.ohsonline.com
HONEYWELL SAFETY AND PRODUCTIVITY SOLUTIONS