Protecting Your Eyes on the Job in Brampton

A tiny metal shaving from a grinder. A splash of cleaning solution while refilling a bottle. Sawdust caught by a gust of wind on a job site. A strap that snaps back while securing a load. Eye injuries at work often happen in a split second, during ordinary tasks that people have done hundreds of times before.

Your eyes are delicate, and some injuries can permanently affect vision. Yet many workplace eye injuries can be prevented with protective eyewear that fits well and is worn consistently. Knowing what to do in the first few minutes after an injury can also make a significant difference.

Brampton workplaces cover a wide range of eye hazards, from manufacturing and auto repair to construction, cleaning, food processing, landscaping and laboratories. At Pharmasave BramCity, 14 Lisa Street, we can help you stock eye first aid supplies and talk through eye irritation, but serious eye injuries always need prompt medical care. This guide covers the essentials of prevention and first response.

Common eye hazards in the workplace

Eye hazards generally fall into a few categories:

• Impact: flying particles, chips, dust, wood or metal fragments from cutting, grinding, drilling, hammering or sweeping
• Chemical: splashes, sprays or vapours from cleaners, solvents, acids, alkalis, pesticides and other substances
• Heat and radiation: sparks, molten material, ultraviolet light from welding, intense light from lasers
• Biological: splashes of blood or body fluids in healthcare and some service jobs
• Blunt force: being struck by tools, equipment, straps or materials

Some jobs involve several hazards at once. Identifying which apply to your tasks is the first step in choosing the right protection.

Choosing the right type of eye protection

Not all protective eyewear offers the same protection. Your employer should assess hazards and provide appropriate equipment, and Canadian standards set requirements for protective eyewear. In general:

• Safety glasses with side shields protect against flying particles from the front and sides
• Goggles seal around the eyes and are better for dust, chemical splashes and fine particles
• Face shields protect the whole face from splashes, heat and larger debris, but should be worn over safety glasses or goggles, not instead of them
• Welding helmets and filtered lenses protect against intense light and radiation

Regular prescription glasses and sunglasses are not safety eyewear. If you need vision correction, ask about prescription safety glasses or goggles that fit over your glasses. The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety provides clear information on selecting eye and face protection.

Fit, comfort and actually wearing it

The best protection is useless if it stays on top of your head or in a pocket. People often remove eyewear because it fogs, slips, pinches or limits vision. If that is happening, ask about alternative styles, anti-fog coatings, adjustable temples or different sizes.

Keep eyewear clean so you can see clearly, and replace it if it is scratched, cracked or loose. Store it in a case or clean place rather than tossed in a toolbox. Remember that hazards from nearby co-workers’ tasks can reach you, too, so wear protection whenever you are in an area where eye hazards exist, not just when you are doing the risky task yourself.

Fogging is one of the most common reasons workers take eyewear off, particularly when moving between a cold loading dock and a warm building in winter, or when wearing a mask. Anti-fog wipes or coatings, vented styles and making sure a mask seals well over the nose can all help. If none of these solves the problem, tell your supervisor. Removing protection is a sign the equipment needs to change, not that you should go without.

First aid for a particle in the eye

Dust or a small particle on the surface of the eye is common and uncomfortable. If this happens:

• Do not rub your eye, which can scratch the surface or push the particle deeper
• Blink several times and let tears try to wash it out
• Rinse the eye with clean water or sterile eyewash, holding the eyelid open
• If you wear contact lenses, remove them if you can do so easily

Do not try to remove anything stuck to or embedded in the eye, especially metal fragments. Cover the eye loosely with a clean pad or shield without pressing on it, and seek medical care right away. Particles that strike the eye at high speed, such as from grinding or hammering metal, may penetrate the eye even if they seem small.

First aid for chemical splashes

Chemical splashes to the eye are emergencies. Speed matters. Immediately begin flushing the eye with large amounts of clean, lukewarm water or eyewash solution, holding the eyelids open, for at least 15 to 20 minutes, or as directed by the product’s safety data sheet. Use an eyewash station if one is available. Remove contact lenses if possible during flushing.

While flushing continues, someone should call for medical help. Bring the product’s label or safety data sheet to the hospital. Alkaline substances, such as some cleaners, cement and drain products, can cause serious damage that continues after the initial splash, so do not stop flushing early because the pain eases.

Know where eyewash stations are located in your workplace before you need them.

Blows to the eye and other injuries

A blow from a tool, ball, strap or piece of equipment can cause bruising, bleeding or damage inside the eye. Apply a cold compress gently, without pressure on the eyeball, and seek medical attention, especially if you notice pain, changes in vision, blood in the eye or a black eye. For cuts or punctures to the eye or eyelid, do not rinse or apply pressure; cover the eye loosely and get emergency care.

Exposure to welding arcs without proper protection can cause a painful condition sometimes called welder’s flash, often noticed hours later. It needs medical assessment.

Eye symptoms that need urgent care

Go to an emergency department or call 911 for:

• Any chemical splash to the eye
• An object stuck in or penetrating the eye
• Significant pain that does not settle after rinsing
• Changes in vision, including blurriness, double vision or loss of vision
• Bleeding in the eye or an obviously abnormal pupil
• Severe light sensitivity after an injury

Report all eye injuries to your employer according to your workplace procedures. The WSIB has information for Ontario workers about reporting injuries.

Everyday irritation that is not an injury

Not every eye complaint at work is an injury. Dust, dry air, air conditioning, screens and allergies can leave eyes red, itchy or gritty. Lubricating drops may help with dryness, and some allergy eye products are available, but choosing the right one depends on your symptoms and whether you wear contact lenses.

Pharmasave BramCity offers information on dry eye and pink eye or eye allergies as part of its minor ailment services. The pharmacist will assess your symptoms and advise whether pharmacy care is appropriate or whether you should see an optometrist or doctor. Never use eye drops to treat an injury without medical advice.

Contact lenses on the job

Contact lenses can be worn safely in many workplaces, but they do not protect the eyes and can trap particles or chemicals against the surface. Always wear appropriate safety eyewear over contacts. Some workplaces have specific policies about lenses in certain areas; check with your employer. Keep a pair of glasses at work in case you need to remove your lenses, and carry a lens case.

Stocking eye first aid at work and at home

Workplace first aid kits should include eye pads, and where there is a risk of particles or chemicals, sterile eyewash or access to an eyewash station. Check expiry dates on eyewash bottles regularly. For home projects such as yard work, renovations or using power tools, keep safety glasses handy and use them.

Many eye injuries happen off the clock. Trimming hedges, using a pressure washer on the driveway, cutting tile in the basement or mixing strong cleaning products in a small bathroom all carry real risk. Spring clean-up season in Brampton, when people tackle their yards after a long winter, is a good reminder to keep a pair of safety glasses with the garden tools. Children and other family members nearby should be kept back from flying debris or given protection too.

At home, store cleaning chemicals in their original containers with labels intact, and never mix products, which can release fumes that irritate the eyes and lungs. If an eye exposure happens at home, the same first aid rules apply: flush immediately and seek medical advice.

Visit Pharmasave BramCity for eye care supplies and advice

Whether you are refreshing a workplace first aid kit, dealing with dry, irritated eyes or have questions about eye drops and contact lenses, our team can help. For any eye injury, seek medical care first.

Pharmasave BramCity, 14 Lisa Street, Brampton, ON L6T 4W2. Phone (905) 460-0330, check our contact page for store details, or book a consultation for non-urgent eye concerns.

Protecting your eyes takes seconds. Losing vision can last a lifetime.

This article provides general eye safety information and is not a substitute for first aid training or medical care. For any eye injury or chemical exposure, seek emergency medical attention.