OPTOMETRISTS Association Australia and HOYA Lens Australia are launching ‘Eye accidents change lives forever’, a comprehensive workplace eye safety campaign.
According to the organisations, 60% of all eye injuries happen at work, and the majority of these occur within the construction, manufacturing, agriculture, forestry, fishing and mining industries, often during grinding and welding related tasks.
Workers can also sustain eye injuries when walking by or helping others perform tasks without wearing any, or the appropriate, eye protection.
The OAA says employers and employees need to work together to ensure eye safety procedures are in place and followed to prevent accidents.
OAA says its members are going into workplaces to conduct vision screenings with employees. The campaign will also involve identifying and analysing visual hazards and determining ways to improve eye comfort in specific work settings.
For information on the campaign or to download a copy of the brochure, visit: www.optometrists.asn.au/eyesafety