Eye Health & Safety: Chemical Exposure in

the Workplace

Our Eyes are Priceless

Proper vision is used to identify sudden hazards in the workplace, but more importantly, vision is essential for one’s overall enjoyment of life.

Our eyes communicate information to the brain about our physical surroundings

Exposure Can Occur in the Blink of an Eye

How Does Exposure Occur?• Chemical splashes when not wearing eye protection• Chemical splashes when wearing the wrong eye protection.• Wiping one’s eye with a dirty glove or other contaminate item • Rubbing one’s eyes after handling a chemical

Chemical burns account for roughly 10% of all workplace eye injuries.

Chemical Eye Burns

There are 3 Categories of Burns

1.Alkali Burn – Most dangerous with potential to damage deep eye structures

2. Acid Burn – Most likely to damage outer layers of the eye

3.Chemical Irritants – Usually considered minor but painful

Symptoms of Eye Burn• Stinging • Burning sensation• Redness• Pain• Swelling of the eye lids• Blurred vision

Chemical Burns Can Seriously Damage Your Eyes• Corneal perforation• Corneal ulcer• Cataracts• Scar tissue

•Dry eye syndrome • Eye Infection• Loss of Eye(s)• Permanent Loss of Vision

Every Second Counts!If you suspect eye exposure, immediately flush your eye(s) for a minimum of 15 minutes under clean running water.Flushing has been shown to drastically reduce the risk of injury or damage.

What about Contact Lenses?• Chemicals can become trapped behind the lenses

• If removal of the lenses is impossible upon exposure, flushing of the eyes could prove useless

• If wearing a respirator and a lens becomes dislodged, you will be unable to correct your vision without removing your PPE

• Lenses may absorb the chemical and concentrate the burn in the center of the eye

** Wearing prescription glasses under your PPE can reduce the increased exposure risk of chemical burns associated with lenses 

Identifying Chemicals in Your Workplace: Target Organ EyesAdministrators can produce a list of chemicals in your workplace that target the eyes according to the NIOSH Pocket Guide and the msdsBinders Target Organ Eye List.

Identifying Chemicals in Your Workplace : Eye Corrosives – WHMIS Class E

Administrators can produce a list of chemicals classified as Corrosives under WHMIS classification.

Read chemical labels and MSDSs for complete information on your workplace chemicals

Protect Your Eyes at Work:

To read the MSDS, go to your msdsBinders account, login and search the chemical you are working with.

Strictly adhere to manufacturer instructions for safe handling.

Protect Your Eyes at Work: Obtain the required personal protective equipment (PPE) - goggles, face shields, safety glasses, full face respirator, etc.

Adjust protective eyewear to ensure appropriate coverage – e.g.. If your safety glasses are crooked, too tight, or slip off, adjust them or retrieve another pair that fit properly.

***Discard protective eyewear that is faulty and inform your supervisor.

Chemical Splash Goggles

PPE Used for Protection of the Eyes and Face:

Eye Wash Station Required in Area Where Chemical is Used

Face Shield

Full Body Protective Clothing(Consult MSDS for details)

Safety Glasses

Supplied Air Respirator

Identify PPE for the Product:Use Product Reference Charts to identify specific PPE. These charts can be posted at work stations, in chemical storage areas and in the front cover of your MSDS binder. A quick look at the chart will communicate to all chemical users which PPE is required on the job.

Protect Your Eyes at Work: Use Safe Work Practices

Never take off your PPE until after you have

exited the

workstation (Clean debris from hats, hair,

forehead, or

the top of the eye protection before

removing

the protection)

Do not rub eyes with dirty hands or clothing

Clean and store PPE as instructed by your

supervisor

Use Safe Work Practices

Protect Your Eyes at Work:

Store all chemicals safely as per

company

policies

Dispose of unwanted chemicals

safely

Prepare for eye injuries and first aid

needs

Be familiar with eye wash stations or

sterile solution on hand

Eye Wash Station Required in Area Where Chemical is Used

Protect Your Eyes at Work:Substitute chemicals whenever there is an opportunity Hazardous chemicals

can sometimes be substituted with less dangerous chemicals. Ask yourself if you really need to use this chemical for the job, or is there a safer option?

You only have two eyes!

Protect them!