Page 26 - OHS, March 2022

CONSTRUCTION SAFETY
Change Your Outlook on Construction Worker Safety
Fostering a culture of safety on the job could help to prevent injuries.
BY WANDA SANCHEZ-MILLER
Construction safety is vital at job sites to help protect workers. Hazards are everywhere, so taking the proper precautions can prevent injuries and save lives.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, about 20,000 eye injuries occur in the workplace each year,1 which can lead to severe, life changing consequences such as temporary or permanent vision loss, impacting workers’ ability to perform their jobs and participate in activities they love outside of the workplace as well. On top of that, it can result in financial and productivity costs too. OSHA reports that workplace eye injuries cost about $300 million annually in lost productivity, medical services and worker compensation.2
Sun exposure, haze, flying debris, dust and large particles can harm a construction worker’s eyes if they aren’t wearing the proper safety eyewear. This Eye Wellness Month3 let’s ensure safety managers for construction worksites are equipped with the information they need to help foster a culture of safety and avoid eye injuries on the job.
The Personal Protective Equipment Workers Need
Depending on the work being performed, there are various PPE options workers should consider. Before selecting any type of protective eyewear, safety managers should evaluate the hazards of each activity workers are involved in, including a thorough understanding of the tasks and of the possible exposure to risks which could result in eye injury. Consider all the risks surrounding activities like woodworking, machinery operations, material welding and cutting, to name a few, and then determine the type of PPE necessary to keep workers safe.
Safety glasses. Safety glasses are specifically manufactured to provide impact protection. The lenses and frames are stronger than regular glasses and often have side shields or wraparound lenses to protect the eyes from various angles, or can be sealed around the eyes to keep flying dust or debris out. In addition to impact protection, safety glasses also typically include lens tints to provide protection against eye damage from infrared lighting and the sun. For workers who rely on prescription eyewear daily, prescription safety glasses are available as well.
Goggles. Similar to safety glasses, goggles protect the eyes from dust, other foreign objects circulating in the air and chemical splash. They also provide an added layer of protection than safety glasses because of their tight, form-fitting seal around the eyes that serves as a barrier against debris coming in from all directions.
Face shields and welding helmets. For those who work with extreme heat and handle molten materials, face shields or welding helmets are needed to protect against burns. Both face shields and welding helmets are intended to be used with other safety eyewear such as glasses, so that workers’ eyes continue to be protected even when the shield or helmet is lifted.
Proper Fit is Key
After determining which type of protective eyewear is needed for a particular job, it is important to turn focus to quality products that keeptheendusertopofmind.Effectiveeyewearsolutionsshould account for unique facial features and should have the ability to be tailored to individual worker needs. Otherwise, wearing ill-fitting safety eyewear can be just as dangerous as wearing none at all.
The face of today’s workforce is changing rapidly; it’s comprised of more women and more ethnicities than ever before. While employers are responsible for providing PPE to keep all their workers safe, a one-size-fits-all approach rarely meets the needs of the diverse head sizes and facial profiles of workers today.
The latest standards for eyewear in the U.S. and Canada are ANSI Z87.1 2020 and CSA Z94.3 2020, which both call for eyewear to fit workers properly, and it’s not just for comfort’s sake. Fit is supremely important because it ensures the eyewear is where it needs to be in the event of impact. Eyewear that slips out of place away from the eyes simply won’t keep objects, particles, light or chemicals out.
Considering the endless variety of head sizes and face shapes—including differences in the height, width and location of cheekbones, nose bridges and ears. It might seem virtually impossible to find a single eyewear style that delivers the ANSI and CSA-required proper fit to each individual worker. That’s where advances in fit and customizability come in.
Well-fitting eyewear stays securely in place, even when workers are out of position or moving vigorously. Look for styles with adjustability features for a personalized fit. Opting for fitted nose bridge and padded temple materials will deliver a no-slip fit and ensure eyewear is where it needs to be to protect the eyes in the event of impact. Properly fitting eyewear also delivers a gap-free fit to keep debris, dust, pollen and smoke out of the eyes.
Seek styles made with advanced materials that cushion the temples, nose bridge and brow. Soft materials reduce pressure points, while advanced rubber compounds contribute to a secure, stay-put fit. Ratcheting temples allow the wearer to customize fit so the eyewear sits comfortably behind the ears, against the cheeks and in front of the eyes at an optimum viewing angle.
Comfort Leads to Compliance
It’s a fact: when eyewear doesn’t feel comfortable, workers are more likely to remove it—even in the presence of hazards. When selecting safety eyewear, comfort is a vital consideration. New styles with adjustability features and advanced materials make achieving comfort easier than ever.
Look for eyewear that’s lightweight. Heavy eyewear is prone to sliding down the nose bridge, which is not only distracting but leaves the eyes unprotected. Heavy eyewear also causes painful pressure points and headaches. Instead, eyewear should feel like it is barely there.
22 Occupational Health & Safety | MARCH 2022
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