Page 17 - OHS, JulyAugust 2023

Peripheral vision is how workers can typically first see a hazard, and if their peripheral vision is impaired, they are not going to register an obstacle or hazard. assistive and predictive technologies to help manufacturers and organizations, as well as individuals, make better, more informed decisions when it comes to safety in the workplace. These technological advancements may span from the use of wearable devices to immersive technology to artificial intelligence and even to drones. Equally as important, however, is the role that product engineers who supply products to the workforce are having on the industry. Smart devices incorporated into PPE have been a leading driver of workplace safety measures, as new “smart PPE” products are capable of monitoring the condition of the employee and their surrounding environment, constantly on the lookout to prevent incidents. Add in technology like panic buttons and built-in exoskeleton support that assists workers in lifting, climbing and prolonged standing and it’s easy to see the impact innovations are having on preventing injuries and accidents. Safety Eyewear Innovations Another improvement, which is near and dear to my heart, is the significant advancements made to the safety eyewear market. It is no coincidence that better safety eyewear and higher adoption rates have led to a significant decline in workplace accidents. On the eyewear front, one of the ways we can continue to build a more safety-oriented workplace is by ensuring workers have glasses they want to wear, glasses that fit them properly and glasses that have optical clarity which prevents distorting their peripheral vision. Peripheral vision is how workers can typically first see a hazard, and if their peripheral vision is impaired, they are not going to register an obstacle or hazard that may put them in harm’s way ultimately causing them to trip or fall. To help improve the use and employee adoption of safety eyewear, glasses are now available that are designed specifically to fit all different kinds of head shapes. In healthcare, we see a majority of women on the front line. While in the past, they had very few options to meet their needs, they now have glasses available that fit all different types of head shapes, including glasses specifically designedtofitwomenbetter.Withabetterfit,healthcareworkers are significantly more likely to properly wear their safety eyewear. This influx of more customized solutions has been something that has drastically helped to prevent accidents and injury. Lens technology has evolved dramatically with new technology that eliminates fogging and scratching having a signifificant impact on keeping workers safer in the workplace. Fogging has been a primary cause of accidents, particularly among workers whose jobs require them to move between indoor, cooler environments and then into outdoor, humid conditions. Specififically in the healthcare market, fogging is a particular concern, as wearing a mask causes a “chimney-effect” which can result in fogging. Other Improvements At the same time, additional advancements provide for coatings that eliminate scratches, which can have an impact in all conditions, especially among those working around heavy machinery, where precision is of critical importance, or in areas that require quick movements like emergency rooms and operating theaters. Lens material also plays a role in ensuring the workforce has the best vision possible as high-end manufacturers have turned to the highest quality polycarbonate lenses to provide clear vision, which is particularly noticeable in improving a worker’s peripheral vision, which as we mentioned is key to helping prevent a wide range of accidents from occurring. Another area of specialty with a tremendous amount of demand for was safety glasses with prescription solutions. Workers across all sectors now have access to a full line of Z87 rated prescription glasses, that, in some cases, include advanced technology that eliminates fog and scratches and are manufactured in-house, making it easier than ever before for the end user to get prescription safety glasses that meet or exceed their specific needs. For those that don’t want or need prescription safety glasses, there are also a wide variety of Over The Glass (OTG) safety glasses available that will seal out the elements and provide a comfortable, fog-free experience for those who wear prescription glasses underneath their safety equipment. We’re also seeing lens technology that helps workers transition from indoor to outdoor uses, which is of particular concern on construction sites. The safety eyewear market has evolved with technologies that work with different lens tints in a wide variety of SKUs, which are adaptive to indoor, indoor/outdoor, and outdoor work environments. These advanced new lenses offer enhanced sight, visual comfort, and definition, shielding eyes while boosting eyesight in all light-sensitive scenarios, including UV, glares, LED, welding gas and low contrast. Providing the correct safety glasses to workers is a huge step in creating a safety-oriented workforce. Glasses might seem like a small step, but without the proper fit, styling, lens coatings and anti- fog/anti-scratch solutions, you will expose yourself to a high level of risk for incidents like trips and falls, slips and more. By working with manufacturers that specialize in creating technologically advanced and people-oriented solutions for safety eyewear, you can help to prevent this level of risk and provide a safe workplace for your employees. This is a great place to start when working through a safety assessment, and when implemented, it creates better results for employers and employees alike. Joey Cocciardi is located in Raleigh, North Carolina and is the National Account Manager, Healthcare and Life-Sciences for Bollé Safety. He has worked in the healthcare and life-sciences industry for 10 years, specializing in biotech and pharmaceutical manufacturing, and holds both QSSP and OSHA-30 qualifications. He can be reached at joey.cocciardi@bolle-safety.com. www.ohsonline.com JULY/AUGUST 2023 | Occupational Health & Safety 17