Page 27 - OHS, March 2022

Comfort and style go hand in hand. If a worker believes his/ her eyewear looks good, they are more likely to feel comfortable putting it on—and leaving it on—all day long. Don’t overlook the importance of choosing modern styles such as sport-inspired sunglass designs or sophisticated metal frames.
Ensure Clarity and Reduce Fogging
As the seasons change, so do the temperatures workers are exposed to. From extreme summer heat to winter’s harsh cold, outdoor temperatures pose major fogging risks to safety lenses for workers on construction sites. Any changes in temperature, even subtle variations, can cause lens fogging. When lenses fog, workers can’t see their work or nearby hazards leaving them few choices but to remove the eyewear to wipe it clear. If they do so in the work zone, work is interrupted and they risk injury. If they do so outside the work zone, productivity takes a hit.
The best solution for combatting fog is to opt for an advanced anti-fog lens coating. Anti-fog coatings are available in a few different formats. Manufacturers can apply anti-fog coatings either through a dipped or sprayed technique directly on the safety lens during production. The benefit of dipped coating specifically is that it provides a more uniform application and greater optical clarity. Or, if workers do not mind applying the anti-fog coating themselves, it can be applied to lenses using a prepackaged anti-fog cloth or gel.
Premium anti-fog coatings are proven to stay on after repeated washings and can stand up best in the hottest, most humid and demanding workplaces. Anti-fog coatings that feature dual- action hydrophilic (water absorbing) and hydrophobic (water repelling) properties deliver the most effective results.
The Unrecognized Risks of Light
Light is an easily overlooked hazard, yet exposure to visible and invisible radiation can cause both short-term and permanent vision loss. Especially when working outdoors, the sun’s glare can cause headaches and reduce workers’ visibility.
Extended exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet rays has been linked to eye damage including cataracts, macular degeneration, pterygia and photo keratitis. Workers who spend any time outside should be outfitted with eyewear that ensures 99.9 percent ultraviolet protection. Specialized lens tints should be considered as needed to block radiation or support visual function based on the other types of natural and artificial light present.
With the multitude of hazards present on a construction site, knowing how to deliver protective solutions can be daunting. Luckily, incorporating proper eye protection protocols is achievable. By selecting styles that meet all these criteria, workers can safely focus and maintain healthy eyesight.
Wanda Sanchez-Miller is lead customer marketing manager for Honeywell PPE’s Uvex Safety Eyewear Business.
REFERENCES
1. https://www.aao.org/eye-health/tips-prevention/injuries-work
2. https://www.osha.gov/eye-face-protection
3. https://preventblindness.org/march-is-workplace-eye-wellness-month/
www.ohsonline.com
MARCH 2022 | Occupational Health & Safety 23
Circle 24 on card.
SAFETY & PERFORMANCE
DUAL PURPOSE X TWO
Bradley’s new combined faucet and Halo® eyewash is a space saver for any laboratory environment. Use the faucet for everyday washing and activate the built in eyewash when needed. Combine with the new duo Navigator® Thermostatic Mixing Valve that delivers tempered water to the faucet and tepid water to the Halo eyewash in an emergency.
Emergency safety solutions brought to life.
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