Each day about 2000 U.S.
workers
have a job-related eye injury that
requires medical treatment. About
one third of the injuries are treated in
hospital emergency departments and
more than 100 of these injuries result
in one or more days of lost work. The
majority of these injuries result from
small particles or objects striking or
abrading the eye. Examples include
metal slivers, wood chips, dust, and
cement chips that are ejected by
tools, wind blown, or fall from above
a worker. Some of these objects, such
as nails, staples, or slivers of wood or
metal penetrate the eyeball and
result in a permanent loss of vision.
Large objects may also strike the
eye/face, or a worker may run into an
object causing blunt force trauma to
the eyeball or eye socket. Chemical
burns to one or both eyes from
splashes of industrial chemicals or
cleaning products are common.
Thermal burns to the eye occur as
well. Among welders, their assistants,
and nearby workers, UV radiation
burns (welder’s flash) routinely
damage workers’ eyes and
surrounding tissue. In addition to
common eye injuries, health care
workers, laboratory staff, janitorial
workers, animal handlers, and other
workers may be at risk of acquiring
infectious diseases via ocular
exposure. Infectious diseases can be
transmitted through the mucous
membranes of the eye as a result of
direct exposure (e.g., blood splashes,
respiratory droplets generated during
coughing or suctioning) or from
touching the eyes with contaminated
fingers or other objects. The
infections may result in relatively
minor conjunctivitis or
reddening/soreness of the eye or in a
life threatening disease such as HIV, B
virus, or possibly even avian
influenza. The eye protection chosen
for specific work situations depends
upon the nature and extent of the
hazard, the circumstances of
exposure, other protective
equipment used, and personal vision
needs. Eye protection should be fit to
an individual or adjustable to provide
appropriate coverage. It should be
comfortable and allow for sufficient
peripheral vision. Selection of
protective eyewear appropriate for a
given task should be made based on a
hazard assessment of each activity,
including regulatory requirements
when applicable.
SAFETY SPOTLIGHT ON:
APRIL 2011
WHEN A SUPERSTAR’S EYES ARE
SMILING…
HERE ARE 5 TIPS FROM PREVENT BLINDNESS AMERICA (PBA)
TO KEEP YOUR EYES HEALTHY:
1. Don't smoke. PBA reports that not smoking—or quitting smoking—can lower people's risk for
eye problems, including age-related macular degeneration (AMD), cataracts, and glaucoma. Not
smoking is especially important if a person is diabetic, because it can reduce the risk of getting
diabetic-related eye problems.
2. Eat a healthy diet. Studies have shown that zinc, vitamins C and E, and beta-carotene can
reduce the risk for AMD. Caution your workers, however, to check with their doctors before
adding vitamins to their diets. Other studies report that dark green vegetables, such as spinach
and kale, may also reduce the risk of getting AMD. Furthermore, healthy eating can lower the risk
of developing diabetes, which is a risk factor for developing glaucoma.
3. Live an active lifestyle. Regular exercise and activity promotes overall good health and
keeps people from developing conditions that can lead to eye disease, such as diabetes. Again,
caution workers to consult with their doctors before starting exercise programs.
4. Manage blood pressure. High blood pressure can increase the risk for glaucoma. And for
those with diabetes, high blood pressure increases the risk for disease-related eye problems.
5. Protect your eyes from the sun. Remind workers that they don't just need to protect their
skin from ultraviolet (UV) rays; they also need to protect their eyes. PBA recommends wearing a
wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses that absorb 99 percent to 100 percent of UV-A and UV-B
rays.
EYE HEALTH IS IMPORTANT, AND SO IS EYE SAFETY. KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE PRIZE BY
RECOGNIZING THE USUAL SUSPECTS FOR EYE INJURIES/EYE HAZARDS:
 Impact from flying objects such as large chips, fragments, particles, sand, and dirt from tasks
such as breaking glass, taking out trash, etc.
 Chemicals in the form of splashes, fumes, vapors, and irritating mists from cleaning and
gasoline vapors.
 Dust getting in the eyes from tasks in general dusty conditions, cappuccino machines.
 Heat from anything emitting extreme heat from tasks such as furnace operations, flames, etc.
 Blood and infectious material splashes that could allow bloodborne pathogens to enter the
body through the eyes.
RECOGNIZING HAZARDS AND BEING PREPARED ARE THE KEYS TO EYE SAFETY. SEE THE
BELOW TIPS ON KEEPING YOUR EYES TOTALLY FREE FROM DEBRIS:
 Make sure to notify your manager if you feel you need protective eyewear for any task.
 Wear your protective eyewear whenever working with hazardous chemicals
 Make sure protective eyewear can be customized and is adjustable. Gear that cannot be fit to
an employee's face is more likely to be removed than gear that fits well.
 Regularly assess to determine if current eye protection measures are adequate, especially
when new procedures or materials are introduced.
 Additionally, employees should be trained to recognize eye hazards, select the
proper protection for different kinds of hazards, and how to react in the event of an eye
injury.
 Never rub or apply ointment to an eye injury. If your eye is wounded, immediately
cover the area and seek medical attention.
 If you get splashed in the eye with chemicals, read the labels and see if you need to
flush your eye with water and/or seek medical attention.
 EYE SAFETY CHECKLIST:

1. Create a safe work environment

o Minimize hazards, whether from falling objects, debris, or dust.
o Make sure that tools work (if applicable) and safety features are in place.
o Make sure your team knows how to use tools properly.
o Keep bystanders out of any areas with hazards.

2. Evaluate safety hazards.

o Identify the primary hazards at the workplace.
o Identify hazards posed by nearby workers, chemicals, and falling/shifting objects/debris.

3. Wear the proper eye and face protection if necessary.

o Select the appropriate eye protection for the task, if necessary.
o Make sure the eye protection is in good condition.
o Make sure the eye protection fits properly and will stay in place.

4. Use good work practices.

o Caution—Brush, shake, or vacuum dust and debris from hardhats, hair, forehead, or the top of the eye
protection before removing the protection.
o Do not rub eyes with dirty hands or clothing.
o Clean eyewear regularly.

5. Prepare for eye injuries and first aid needs.

o Have an eye wash or sterile solution on hand.

Got a Safety
Suggestion? SAFETY BINGO UPDATE
Safety BINGO STARTS on 4/15/2011
Feel free to email Jackpots for most stores reached an ALL TIME HIGH this past game! Bob Marshall of Pendleton
your ideas and Pike/Oaklandon won $40! Congratulations Bob! Please ensure everyone has a new Bingo card and is
suggestions to ready to go for the next game.
Gabby VanAlstine in
the Human Thank you for your participation in our Safety Program. If you want to receive this newsletter via
Resources email and you do not currently, please send your email address to the HR Department at
Department at gvanalstine@rickers.net.
gvanalstine@rickers.
net.

At Ricker’s, the
Safety of our
employees and
SAFETY TRIVIA QUESTION:
customers is a top SEND THE CORRECT RESPONSE WITH YOUR NAME AND STORE NUMBER TO GABBY AND YOU’LL BE
priority. We are ENTERED INTO A RAFFLE FOR A FANTASTIC SAFETY PRIZE!
dedicated to best
practices in Safety, NAME THIS FAMOUS 80’S TUNE ABOUT EYES:
and we are asking
Risin' up, back on the street / Did my time, took my chances
you to provide your
input, participation, Went the distance, now I'm back on my feet / Just a man and his will to survive
and engagement in So many times, it happens too fast / You change your passion for glory
our Safety Program!
Don't lose your grip on the dreams of the past /You must fight just to keep them alive