Health and Safety Resources
Caution to Users
Many of the resources in this archive were originally
prepared by WSN’s predecessor organizations for use by
industry clients. While much of the information and
many of the forms included with them are still valuable,
users should recognize that examples, contact
information and data such as legislative references may
be out of date. The resources are offered as free tools for
companies to use in an effort to continuously improve
their health and safety systems. But users of these
resources also need to ensure that they are aware of the
most recent legislation, equipment and processes, as
well as current practices.
Eye Injuries
Controlling the Hazards
September 2003
Participant’s Notes - Eye Injuries
Every year, workers in Ontario’s mining and aggregates industries suffer injuries to their eyes.
Fortunately, most cases of eye injury can be treated with first aid or medical attention and full
recovery of precious eyesight is made. In some circumstances, eye injury can lead to partial or total
loss of sight. With the right personal protective equipment and a little knowledge, eye injuries - on
and off the job - can be avoided. This short Safety Meeting Topic was developed to review and
refresh your knowledge about protecting your eyesight.
Every year, thousands of Ontario workers suffer injuries to their eyes.
In this safety meeting, we’ll discuss the problem and the methods we
have to control the hazards.
slide
#0
– Eye Injuries
The human eye is a marvellous organ. Though the eyesight of
newborn babies is undeveloped, in a few short months they quickly
gain the ability to see and recognize shapes and colours. By the time
we’re toddlers, our eyes can distinguish complex scenes and millions
of colours. But, from birth to old age, our eyes and the gift of sight are
in constant danger of being damaged both on and off the job.
From birth to old age, our
eyes and the gift of sight
are in constant danger of
being damaged both on
and off the job.
slide
#1
– Eye Injuries
1
Our eyes are probably our most delicate body parts with only a fringe
of lash hair and a thin membrane, the eyelid, offering natural
protection. Flying objects, dust, dirt, strong light and chemicals are
only some of the potential sources for eye damage.
Our eyes are probably our
most delicate body parts
slide
#2
Sources of damage include:
• flying objects
• dust
• dirt
• strong light
• chemicals
– Eye Injuries
Damage can affect:
• Surface
• Lens
• Blood supply system
• Optical nerve network
In addition to injury to the eye’s surface, damage may also occur
deeper in the eye’s structure affecting the lens, blood supply system or
complex optical nerve network.
slide
#3
– Eye Injuries
When we think of eye injury we tend to picture the kind of serious
trauma caused by large flying objects or impacts from other sources.
But serious eye injury may be much more subtle than this and the
effects can build, unnoticed, for years. On the average, more than
3,500 workers in Ontario suffer eye injuries every year. By far the
most common eye injury types in mining are scratches and abrasions
(86%).
In Ontario:
• 3,500 workers
suffer eye
injuries per
year
slide
#4
• 86 % of
injuries are
scratches or
abrasions
– Eye Injuries
2
The first line of defence against eye injury is safety glasses. No longer
heavy, cumbersome or ineffective, modern glasses offer the wearer
excellent protection with little or no discomfort, even in difficult
conditions. Where permitted contact lenses can be worn along with
most normal eye protection. Follow your company policies. For
general working conditions, safety glasses are the answer but, in other
circumstances, even more specialized protection is required.
PPE
General
working
conditions
slide
#5
Safety
glasses
– Eye Injuries
Wherever there’s a risk of chemical splashes, airborn dust and dirt or
other potentially damaging conditions, safety goggles offer a worker
more protection than regular safety glasses. They’re made in many
different shapes and styles from a range of materials to suit the nature
of the on-the-job hazard to be encountered.
PPE
Chemical
splashes
slide
#6
Airborne dust
and dirt
Safety
goggles
– Eye Injuries
For maximum protection, especially when dealing with hot or molten
metal or caustic chemicals, a face shield may be required. Usually
worn in conjunction with safety glasses, shields offer additional
protection for the wearer’s face and neck.
PPE
Hot/molten metal
Caustic chemicals
slide
#7
Face shield
– Eye Injuries
3
Welding, cutting and brazing operations demand special protection
against flying bits of hot or molten metal as well as sheltering the
wearer’s eyes from the ravages of very bright arc light and ultra-violet
radiation. Anyone who has suffered a “flash burn” to the surface of the
eye knows the intense discomfort caused by this type of injury.
PPE
Welding, Cutting
& Brazing
slide
#8
Welding
mask
– Eye Injuries
Eyewash stations required by law
Eyewash fountains are required by regulation at every mining plant
where poisonous or dangerous compounds, solutions or gases are
present. Where they’re installed, employees should receive training on
when and how to use them effectively.
slide
#9
• Employees
should be
trained to use
them properly.
– Eye Injuries
Damage from ultra-violet light
accumulates over time.
slide
#10
Good sunglasses
have 100% UV
protection.
– Eye Injuries
Eye damage is eye damage. Whether it occurs on or off the job, the
effects are the same and it doesn’t necessarily have to be caused my
an accident. We’ve recently begun to understand the potential for eye
damage from ultra violet light which, scientists say, is increasing with
the thinning of the protective layer of ozone surrounding the globe.
Without effective sunglasses, the damage which can occur to the eye
can be about the same as watching a welding arc with the naked eye.
Such damage accumulates over time and, all too frequently, results in
cataracts - hardening and darkening of the eye’s normally clear lens.
4
Remember eye safety on and
off the job!
slide
#11
Sun glare off snow, sand, water or any other reflective surface creates
a hazard for everyone’s eyes. Other eye hazards, similar to those we
experience at work, abound in sports, crafts and other pastimes.
Recognizing the hazards and wearing appropriate eye protection
should become habitual for everyone.
– Eye Injuries
Legislation for Eye Injuries
Occupational Health and Safety Act
The provision and use of personal protective equipment such as safety glasses is prescribed in the Occupational
Health and Safety Act:
25(1) An employer shall ensure that,
(a) the equipment, materials and protective devices as prescribed are provided;
(b) the equipment, materials and protective devices provided by the employer are maintained in good
condition;
(c) the measures and procedures prescribed are carried out in the workplace;
(d) the equipment, materials and protective devices provided by the employer are used as prescribed.
27(1) A supervisor shall ensure that a worker,
(a) works in the manner and with the protective devices, measures and procedures required by this Act
and the regulations; and
(b) uses or wears the equipment, protective devices or clothing that the worker’s employer requires to be
used or worn.
28(1) A worker shall,
(a) work in compliance with the provisions of this Act and the regulations;
(b) use or wear the equipment, protective devices or clothing that the worker’s
employer requires to be used or worn;
(c) report to his or her employer or supervisor the absence of or defect in any
equipment or protective device of which the worker is aware and which may en danger himself,
herself or another worker
28(2) No worker shall,
(a) remove or make ineffective any protective device required by the regulations or by his or her
employer, without providing an adequate temporary protective device and when the need for
removing or making ineffective the protective device has ceased, the protective device shall be
replaced immediately.
5
Regulation 854 - Mines and Mining Plants also contains sections relating to eye
protection.
12(3) An employer shall require a worker to wear or use such personal protective equipment, clothing or
devices as are necessary to protect the worker from the particular hazard to which the worker may be
exposed.
12(4) Every worker shall be properly fitted with personal protective clothing or equipment by a competent
person or persons.
193(4) The operator of a grinder shall wear eye protection.
282(2) At every mining plant where poisonous or dangerous compounds, solutions or gases are present, there
shall be kept or installed in a conspicuous place, as near the compounds, solutions or gases as is practical,
(a) antidotes and washes;
(b) eye wash fountains; and
(c) where necessary, showers for treating injuries received from such compounds, solutions or gases.
References
For more information on Eye Protection contact your MASHA Representative and/or visit the following web sites:
CCOHS (Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety) web site offers specific information
about selecting safety eyewear and face protection.
http://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/prevention/ppe/glasses.html
The CCOHS also has a web page of valuable information about the damaging effects of ultraviolet
radiation at:
http://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/phys_agents/ultravioletradiation.html
All About Vision is another web site loaded with information about eyes and eyewear for kids and
adults.
http://www.allaboutvision.com
MASHA recognizes that individual companies
must develop health and safety policies and
programs which apply to their workplaces and
comply with appropriate legislation. The
information contained in this reference material
is distributed as a guide only to assist in
developing those policies and programs.
The course material contained in this manual is
protected by copyright. The reproduction or
transmission of all or any part of this material
without the prior written consent of the Mines
and Aggregates Safety and Health Association is
a violation of national and international
copyright laws.
Mines and Aggregates
Safety and Health
Association
For more information
please contact:
Copyright © 2003,
Mines and Aggregates Safety and Health Association
6
690 McKeown Avenue,
P.O. Box 2050 Stn. Main
North Bay, Ontario
P1B 9P1
Phone: (705) 474-7233
Fax: (705) 472-5800
email: info@masha.on.ca