According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, each day about 2,000 US workers sustain work-related eye injuries requiring medical treatment. These injuries have resulted in more than $300 million in lost time, medical expenses, and workers compensation, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

But in the construction industry, the statistics are even more startling. According to the Center to Protect Workers’ Rights, more than 10,600 eye injuries each year force workers in the construction industry to miss work. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that more than 40 percent of eye injuries occur among craft workers, like mechanics, repairers, carpenters, and plumbers. More than 20 percent of those injured work in construction.

The news isn’t all bad, though. The fact is that the overwhelming majority of these eye injuries are preventable. Eye doctors and safety experts believe that the proper eye protection could decrease the severity of or altogether prevent 90 percent of these injuries.

The BLS has found that almost 70 percent of workplace eye injuries result from flying or falling objects or sparks striking the eye. Injured workers estimate that nearly three-fifths of the objects are smaller than a pin head.

Effective personal protective equipment (PPE) is the key to eye safety for contractors, and particularly those working in construction. To be effective, the eyewear must be of the appropriate type for the hazard encountered, and it must be properly fitted. BLS reports that goggles are more effective than face shields, but the best protection is offered by using both together.

The other half of the equation is educating workers about PPE: where they can find it, when they need to use it, what type of PPE to use for different tasks, and how to use it for the greatest effectiveness.

It’s also important for employers to establish a schedule for inspecting PPE to ensure that it does not need to be repaired or replaced to provide the proper protection.

ContractorHelpers.com is a service of Insurance Partners, Inc., which has been providing quality protection for contractors for more than 35 years. California contractors insurance specialists work with companies on everything from California general liability and California workers compensation insurance to contractor bonds and a “pay as you sell” liability insurance program designed especially for homebuilders. If you have questions about your contractor insurance coverage, contact us.