Outdoor workers face a wide variety of hazards, including airborne debris, splashing chemicals, glare and radiation.

In Ireland there is a surge in the amount of work conducted outdoors not just in the summer months but also well into late September / early October, with high average monthly UV index.
But nearly all occupational eye injuries can be prevented with appropriate safety eyewear that protects against UV.

Impact Protection
A leading cause of eye injuries is contact with foreign bodies – splinters, chips, nails, and metal fragments are just some of the materials whose contact with the eye can cause abrasions or punctures resulting in short-term or long-term vision loss and even the loss of an eye. Therefore, a top priority for safety eyewear must be impact protection.Windy outdoor environments can also greatly increase the chances of injury to the eyes. Activities such as cement mixing, sawing and grinding all cause particles and dust to become airborne.
Whatever type of safety eyewear you choose, be sure it stands up to the variety of impact hazards present at your site. And, remember, street-wear sunglasses are not manufactured to resist impact and they are never a safe choice outdoor workers.

Block Sunlight and Glare
Outdoor workers’ eyes must also be protected not just from impact, but also from the sun’s visible and invisible rays. Optical radiation is easily overlooked as a hazard, yet exposure can result in short-term injuries to permanent vision loss. Long-term exposure to the sun’s invisible ultraviolet light is a leading cause of cataracts and blindness. Employees who spend any time outside should be outfitted with eyewear that blocks UV

Reduce the Effects of Fog
Lenses fog for many reasons, including environmental heat and humidity, worker exertion, differences in temperature between the outside and inside of the lens, rapid changes in temperature, and frequent washings. In the summer these factors combine, making fogging nearly impossible to avoid.
When vision becomes obscured from foggy lenses, workers are at risk of potential injury. In an instant they can experience a slip and fall or come into contact with machinery, electrical current, or hazardous chemicals. Workers frequently have to remove their eyewear to wipe the lenses clear. By do so they increase their risk of injury. To combat foggy lenses, look for safety eyewear with a high-performance anti-fog lens coating.

Benefits to a Safety Culture
Employers can improve compliance, reduce the chance of eye injury and support their workers long-term vision health by providing safety eyewear that stands up to summer’s demanding environmental factors. Building a strong foundation for a successful culture of safety.

Find out more information about our Bolle range of UV protection safety eyewear products please contact our team of experts on bcss.info@bunzl.ie or phone +353 1 6301800

© 2019 BCSS