Toolbox Talk: Eye Protection

Let’s take a short elementary test. Can you tell me how many basic senses there are and can you name them?

There are five: taste, smell, hearing, touch, and sight. Of the five, which is the one that we depend upon the most? You guessed it—it’s sight. Everything we do involves the use of our eyes and God only gave us two. How many times have you said or heard “He should have worn his safety glasses.” Or “If I had been wearing my safety glasses, I wouldn’t have injured my eye.”? Too many times!

Eye protection begins with the ability to recognize those times that eye protection is needed, and then, to seriously commit to wearing the protection whenever necessary. Anytime you’re working where there is the potential for flying particles, eye protection is required. When using a saw, drill, pouring concrete, chipping, blasting, or handling chemicals, eye protection should be used. Dirt, dust, rust, rock, bits of concrete, etc. are all potential dangers in construction work.

If a member of your crew gets something in their eye, seek proper medical attention right away. The longer it stays in, the worse it gets. No one but a professional should attempt to remove a foreign body from the eye. Cover the eye lightly with a clean pad and either wait for medical help to arrive or take the employee to a doctor.

Don’t forget that eye protection is also needed when using chemicals. Make sure you’re using chemical goggles and a splash shield. You may need to flush your eyes if they come in contact with the chemical. Emergency first aid procedures are discussed in the material safety sheet for the particular chemical.

Let’s wrap up what we’ve learned. Eyesight is precious—and irreplaceable. Don’t take chances with your vision—wear eye protection!

Wear safety goggles at home too, when using power tools, painting, chopping wood, etc.