The document discusses the importance of eye safety in the workplace, highlighting that over 4000 eye injuries occur annually in New Zealand, many of which are preventable. It emphasizes the need for proper eye protection, awareness of hazards, and immediate medical attention for eye injuries. New guidelines for eye examinations and safety eyewear maintenance are also presented, along with encouraging consultations with optometrists for specialized questions.

1. -eyewear and your safety
Presenter: Vanessa Forsyth

2.  We use our eyes to see the world around us,
but how much do you know about how your
eye’s work?

3.  In the workplace there are a range of considerations you need
to think of in relation to eyes. Because you cannot “replace”
them, it is important that you take due care and consideration
when you are evaluating your working environment.

4. Consider these examples and let’s see if you
can tell which are possible eye injuries:
The person has obvious pain or trouble seeing.
The person has a cut or torn eyelid.
One eye does not move as well as the other.
One eye sticks out compared to the other.

5.  • Every year, more than 4000 eye injuries occur at
work in New Zealand
 • Many result in pain, impaired vision, time off
work and some are blinded
 • Most of these eye injuries are PREVENTABLE

6.  Penetrating injuries are more likely to occur
from missiles produced by striking metal-to-
metal, for example, when hammering
nails.
Corneal abrasion (stained by fluorescein
dye). These can be caused by projectiles (for
example, from abrasive blasting or grinding)
or fixed or moving objects (for example,
accidental stabbing of the eye from exposed
sharp objects or tools).

7. Blood in the anterior chamber of the eye
(hyphaema) as a complication of blunt
trauma. Eyes with hyphaema may show
other signs of damage
Severe alkali burn causing opacification of
the cornea.
Substances you may have at home or work
that can cause this include fertilizers,
cleaning products (ammonia), drain cleaners
(lye), oven cleaners, and plaster or cement
(lime).

8.  GET HELP!
 For all eye injuries:
 DO NOT touch, rub or apply pressure to the eye.
 DO NOT try to remove the object stuck in the eye.
 DO NOT apply ointment or medication to the eye.
 See a doctor/optometrist as soon as possible – if you think it is
very serious go straight to the Emergency Department at the
hospital.

9.  There are four things you can do to help prevent an eye injury:
 1. Know the eye safety dangers at work.
 2. Eliminate hazards before starting work.
◦ Use machine guarding, work screens or other engineering controls.
 3. Use proper eye protection.
◦ Make sure it is up to the standard and it is relevant to the location (i.e. sunglasses to
protect the eye from UV damage outside)
 4. Wear protective eyewear whenever there is a chance of eye injury.
◦ Anyone working in or passing through areas that pose eye hazards should wear
protective eyewear. This is particularly true of workers involved in welding, which poses a
high risk of on-the-job eye injury.

10.  Which of these pictures shows cancer of the
eye?

A B C

11. A. Yes! A dark/coloured spot on
the colored part of the eye (the iris)
that is getting bigger can be a sign
of cancer.
B. Yes! The presence of a “white
glow” is symptomatic – this is more
common in children
C. No. This is a person with dry-eye
symptoms. Red and irritated but not
cancerous.

13.  New! 2014 Standard guidelines recommend:
 2 yearly eye examinations & unit replacement
 Yearly checks of all safety eyewear for damage
 Provided an easy guide for identifying what
eyewear is needed for each job description

15.  New thinner, harder,
flatter lenses
 Great coating options
High index, MR Lenses Optifog™, Transitions™

16.  More fashion styles  More progressive lens
Women's frames, single unit
frames (no parts to fall off!)
options
Increased range of visual
lengths and styles

17.  If you have any questions specific to your
eyes please talk to your local Optometrist.
They are there to help!