The manufacturing industry is vast and varied and it requires that its workers get involved in, or exposed to, a high-level of danger. Activities include assembling raw materials, processing, and finishing physical products, or operating heavy equipment and rigging. Assemblers and fabricators typically spend most of their days soldering, welding, and / or cutting metal. The risk of injury is heightened in this environment, which is why according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor (BLS), “nearly half of injured workers are employed in manufacturing in one way or another.”
Most accidents occur due to a lack of safeguards or proper equipment, insufficient training to employees, or compromised safety. Manufacturing workers are at a higher risk of eye injury because they are regularly exposed to heat, dust, and chemicals. More than 30 percent of total eye injuries are attributed to sanders, fitters, and grinder operators.
It’s the tools, equipment, and materials that are hazardous for workers’ eyes in the manufacturing industry. While many may understand there is a risk of coming into contact with contaminated chemicals during manufacturing, it is equally dangerous during cleaning. Safety glasses are important in order to provide protection. Also less known, the energy-efficient lighting in manufacturing plants can bombard the eyes for long hours. And, for those that need to work on a computer, the high-energy blue light of a digital screen can be debilitating. Therefore, no matter the task, it’s imperative that safety glasses are required for all activities in the workplace.
Nearly three out of five injured workers are not wearing eye protection at the time of an accident or are wearing the wrong kind of eye protection for the job, according to EHS Today. In the manufacturing world, a lack of safety glasses can cause temporary or permanent loss of vision due to corneal burns, abrasion, or penetration. Experts say the right safety glasses and eye protection at work can prevent up to 90% of all eye injuries.
When looking for safety glasses, it’s important to look for at least ANSI Z87 certification. Due to elevated risks, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) sets workplace safety regulations to reduce the risk of work-related injuries. Experts say that following OSHA guidelines and wearing the correct ANSI rated safety glasses at work can prevent nearly all eye injuries and in turn avert lost production time.
According to Prevent Blindness America (PBA), more than 700,000 Americans injure their eyes at work each year. This results in more than $300 million per year in lost production time, medical expenses, and worker compensation. Visit BrandX Safety to learn more about manufacturing safety glasses—we have a style to suit any task and lifestyle.
