Do I really need to wear safety glasses to work?
We want to help you assess whether or not you need to wear them. For this we explain 5 signs that alert you to the need to wear safety glasses.
1. You notice a strong itching in the eyes during work
If you notice eye irritation while working, it’s a pretty clear sign that there are products that are affecting you.
It may be dust, acidic vapors, or chemicals.
A person who works using ammonia without eye protection is undoubtedly damaging their sight. These types of substances release harmful vapors for the eyes.
To protect you from dust and liquids there are special glasses. One of our recommendations is the Pegaso LITE 20 model. It offers you anti-liquid and anti-dust protection. It is also equipped with ventilation holes that reinforce its anti-fog treatment.
2. You force your eyes to see up close or far
Another symptom that you need glasses to work is visual overstrain.
Whether you strain your eyes to carry out precision work or you do it to see well over long distances, you must take precautions.
Using tools without focusing your eyes correctly could cause injury to your hands or arms. Likewise, driving forklifts or excavating machines without wearing the necessary glasses puts your safety and that of others at risk.
3. You instinctively turn your head when performing certain tasks
This is a gesture that indicates that you perceive a risk. It is typical in disc metal cutting tasks. Seeing sparks fly, the first instinct is to turn your face away. In this way we prevent them from reaching our eyes. But at the same time we lose control by making less eye contact.
Using the appropriate work glasses is vital to keep us protected and attentive in this type of task. Also when using wood saws or hammer tools it is essential to wear eye protection.
4. You feel the need to wash your eyes
You may not feel much discomfort in your eyes during your workday. But at the end of the day you need to urgently refresh your eyes with water.
This symptom looks like number one, but it does not have to be itchy what affects you. You just feel like your eyes are asking for water.
Clearly there is some harmful substance that is affecting you. You should analyze the area and the products you work with and choose glasses that protect you adequately.
5. You work with gloves and a mask
Working with a mask and gloves is a combination that suggests you should also protect your eyes.
It doesn’t matter if you manipulate irritating substances in a laboratory or if you cut stones in a mine, which can damage your airways or your hands, they can also damage your eyes.
Don’t delay your eye protection
If you identify with any of these signs or have any other type of discomfort in the eyes during work, do not let more time pass, protect yourself.
Sometimes we live dedicated to our work tasks. Everything is urgent and we need hours. Let this not be an excuse to delay the protection of something as valuable as our sight.
The 3 most frequent eye injuries
Scratches on the ocular surface
The most damaging injury to the outside of the eye is corneal abrasion.
The most damaging injury to the outside of the eye is corneal abrasion.
Foreign objects inside the eye
When we talk about something strange inside the eye, we mean that it has been nailed to it. It can occur when hitting something metallic, a fragment jumps at high speed and penetrates the superficial layer of the eye, embedding itself. Penetrating eye injuries should be treated urgently by a professional.
Chemical or caustic splashes
Involuntary spraying of cleaning products such as degreasing and descaling liquids are highly dangerous, especially in the eyes.
Immediate washing with plenty of water is essential. It is also necessary that a doctor do an eye examination to prevent further damage.
Forbidden to rub your eyes
When we notice any discomfort in the eyes, the most immediate reaction is to close the eyelids and rub with our fingers.
This action may appear harmless. But depending on the cause of our discomfort it can make the situation worse.
If a small metal chip has entered our eye, by rubbing it we press it against the eyeball and the injury will worsen.
If a drop of some irritating liquid has gone into our eye and we rub it, we will make that drop spread over the surface of the eye.
Let us insist: In cases like these, the best we can do is wash our eyes with plenty of water. And it will always be necessary for a doctor to check us. He will know how to act and what steps to take in each case.
