For tradies and DIY lovers, having good vision is an essential part of being on the tools, whether identifying problems, checking our workmanship is up to scratch, or helping us avoid danger and injury.
While most eye injuries are minor in nature, losing one’s vision even partially is enough to cut short even the most diligent tradesperson’s career, with more than 60 per cent of all eye injuries occurring at work.
According to Safe Work Australia data, construction and industrial zones are the most common locations for a hospitalising eye injury to occur.
Build-it previously reported on young tradies reporting to the emergency room in record numbers.
Recent statistics showed the number of emergency eye trauma cases surged by 41 per cent over 5 years at the specialist Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital.
The director of the hospital’s emergency department, Dr Carmel Crock, said that in 90 per cent of cases, the injuries were “avoidable” if the patient had been using correct and proper eye protection.
“Eye injuries (can be) life-changing and sometimes blinding,” she said.
“It’s one or two cases a week (where) often a young man who has a life-changing serious, serious eye injury.”
“These injuries are preventable and can happen in a flash.”
So, who’s most at risk of sustaining an eye injury, and what steps can every tradie take to maintain their eye safety while on the tools?
Whose at high-risk
While the construction industry should be considered high-risk overall regarding eye injuries, some tradies and DIY tasks are more troubled by safety risks than others.
Welders, plumbers, insulators, painters, and electricians have the highest incidence of eye-related injuries among the trades due to the airborne substances, sparks and chemicals they encounter in their roles.
However, the odds are not reduced for those undertaking a bit of DIY either, with plenty of home renovation tasks commonplace for eye injuries.
The following tasks should be considered high risk for eye injury:
- chemical processes
- chipping/chiselling
- cutting
- drilling
- grinding and machining
- hammering
- mowing and slashing
- sanding
- scaling
- spray painting
- Welding
Ways to reduce eye-related injury risk
Tradies and site managers can significantly reduce the risk of eye injuries by controlling potential hazards on the job site.
A safety walkthrough of the work area before task commencement can help identify any potential eye-injury risk factors that can be removed or altered.
High-risk tools and substances should be moved to an isolated area, and all safety equipment should be checked and maintained.
If working on a construction site or manufacturing zone, eye safety signage should be visible in all areas where the abovementioned tasks occur.
Ensure that PPE such as guards, shields, and goggles are adequately available, in good working order, and kept within proximity to the task area to increase usage.
Meanwhile, airborne particles can be managed by installing exhaust hoods or operating extractor fans.
Ensuring the correct eye protection
A common misconception of eye protection is that one type or size of eye PPE is suitable for every task.
Unfortunately, nothing could be further from the truth.
The level and type of eye protection required depend heavily on the specificities of the task at hand.
If working with heat-emitting materials, thermally-tempered glass lenses should be chosen.
Whereas if operating machinery causes debris, dust or fog, a pair of anti-fog goggles or a suitable anti-fogging compound may be more appropriate.
For a combination of hazards, more than one eye protector may be needed. For example, welding would need welding goggles and a suitable face shield.
Tradies and site managers should always buy eye protection that complies with Australian Standards.
What level of eye protection does my task need?
Low impact
For tasks including chipping, riveting, hammering, and managing a strap under tension, tradies should wear safety glasses, safety glasses with side shields, safety clip-ons, eye cup goggles, wide vision goggles, eye shields, and face shields. This type of PPE will be marked with the Australian Standards mark.
Medium impact
For work that involves grinding and machining metals, woodwork, stone dressing, wire handling, and brick cutting, workers will need to ensure safety glasses include side shields or select eye cup goggles, wide vision goggles, eye shields and face shields. This type of PPE will be marked with the Australian Standards mark and the letter I
High impact
For tasks that involve explosive power tools and nail guns, it is recommended that you always wear face shields. This type of PPE will be marked with the Australian Standards mark and the letter V.
Other key markers
Ensure your eye protection includes the Australian Standards mark and the letter ‘C’ to signify the PPE eyewear is splashproof and appropriate for chemical handling. Meanwhile, letter D signifies that PPE eyewear is appropriate for protection against dust.