Page 30 - OHS, November/December 2020

VISION PROTECTION
Assessing and Controlling Visual Hazards in the Workplace
Eye injuries on the job today are far too common. Employers should conduct risk assessments to determine hazards and protect against them.
BY W. DAVID YATES, PH.D., CSP
comprehensive review of the facility and its specific processes that pose visual hazards to employees. Such hazards impacting the vision of employees might include:
Flying debris. Flying debris is often found in manufacturing, mining and other industries which have loose materials or materials that are being cut, welded or brazed. In addition, areas in manufacturing, mining and construction industries create significant falling object debris which can cause eye injuries.
Grinding operations. Most grinding operations release fine particles or sharp shreds that can cause eye injuries by embedding or penetrating the eye.
Dusty environments. One of the more common causes of workplace eye injuries is the presence of naturally occurring dust particles or particles created by work activities.
Impact tools. Impact tools, such as staple and nail guns, pose a significant visual threat to employees. These hazards can cause severe and permanent eye injuries.
Chemicals. Specific hazards from chemicals occur most frequently during mixing and pouring and can cause burns and systemic issues as a result of contact.
Optical radiation. Laser radiation and welding
operations are two main areas of concern in the
workplace. Both can create high levels of heat, both
ultraviolet and infrared, as well as reflected light
2 radiation.
When conducting a survey of hazards and control options, it is vital to include the specific equipment operators.
Hazard Assessment
Hazards are assessed on probability and severity of injury. There are varying methods to conducting hazard or risk assessments. They can be qualitative or quantitative in nature, depending on the method used. However, each one has the same basic probability and severity aspects.
The following table represents a simple semi- quantitative assessment matrix. A ranking is conducted for each identified hazard. Safety practitioners are to focus on the hazards ranked highest first, as they represent the more serious ones. Eventually, all of the hazards must be addressed.
Control Development and Decision-Making and Control Implementation
The next step in the hazard assessment process is the development of controls and decision-making on which to implement control. The control development
According to the CDC there are approximately 2,000 eye injuries each day (730,000 per year) in the workplace.1
These injuries result from striking or scraping by flying objects, penetration from objects such as nails, staples or metal/wood slivers, optical radiation or chemical and thermal burns. Simply providing safety glasses or goggles is not enough to ensure that employees are protected from eye injuries. Before implementing a visual protection program, it is first necessary to conduct a comprehensive hazard assessment of the work environment to determine the
type and extent of the hazards present.
There are five basic steps to risk assessment that
apply to hazards in the workplace, including:
1. Hazard Identification
2. Hazard Assessment
3. Control Development and Decision-Making 4. Control Implementation
5. Evaluation/Supervision of Controls
Hazard Identification
To understand hazard identification, it is first necessary to define a hazard. A hazard is a naturally occurring or man-made agent or condition that has the potential to cause harm.
The hazard identification process begins with a
24 Occupational Health & Safety | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020
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