Workplace Eye Injuries Emergency Response

Emergency workers respond to numerous disasters that are exposed to different types of safety and health hazards and one among them is the work place eye injury.

The damage of workplace eye injury can turn into permanent vision loss. In such situations, you need quick and prompt medical attention. But while waiting for medical help, you can do a lot to minimize the eye damage. Quick response to an eye injury can aid the person to a speedy recovery.

Here’s some rundown of first aid for the common workplace eye injuries:

Chemical splashes or burns:

• Keep the eye open and use emergency eyewash and flush with water for 15 minutes.

• Contact lenses must be removed immediately.

• Emergency assistance must be called ASAP.

• Check the MSDS as it contains valuable info about chemicals and try to supply the info to emergency medical personnel.

Exposure to lasers, welding, or UV light:

• Even if the victim doesn’t feel any discomfort immediately, medical aids must be provided.

• The eyes must be kept close while waiting for medical treatment.

Penetrating objects in the eye:

• This situation calls for immediate emergency medical attention.

• Try not to reduce, move or put pressure on the object.

• Place a soft, bulky dressing around the object to immobilize the object and secure it in place with the help of a bandage.

• The other eye should also be bandaged just to keep the injured eye still.

The above are some quick first aid procedures but an employee needs to get a proper training to handle an eye emergency effectively. The HAZWOPER training courses have sessions on this important topic. The HAZWOPER safety training would also provide important lessons on how you can prevent the hazards on the first place to avoid any injury while at work.