Healthy vision is crucial for continuous productivity, especially in the workplace. That’s why Prevent Blindness, the nation’s oldest volunteer eye health and safety group, declared March as Workplace Eye Wellness Month to increase awareness among employers and employees about the importance of eye health and safety in various industries, be it in a factory, field or office setting.
Eyes on Norbeck, your trusted provider of prescription eyeglasses and contact lenses, shares tips on how employers can promote eye wellness in the workplace.
Evaluate and Adjust the Workplace
As an employer, consider eliminating potential eye hazards from the worksites by isolating high-risk equipment and ensuring safety devices are in good working condition. You should also put up eye safety posters, install barriers and ensure all the equipment operators follow the user instructions and safety guidelines.
In the office setting, you can suggest ways to minimize digital eye strain for those who work in front of the computer or laptop, including turning down the screen brightness to reduce blue light exposure. You may also encourage them to take an eye exam at least once a year.
Wear the Correct Eye Protection
Be sure to provide eye protection that best fits the task. This requires knowing which job tasks require low-, medium-, and high-impact eye protection. Low-impact protection is required for jobs that involve chipping and hammering, while medium-impact protection is needed for tasks that involve grinding metals and cutting bricks. High-impact protection is required for jobs that involve the use of nail guns and other power tools.
This March, you may also consider scheduling an eye safety equipment inspection to examine the condition of their eye safety gear and equipment. Additionally, a refresher course on how to use eyewash and first aid stations is also a great idea.
Promote Regular Eye Checkups
Aside from providing eye protection, you may also want to promote regular eye checkups to your employees. An annual visit to an optometrist can be extremely helpful, as they can check your employees’ vision changes and determine if they are at risk of developing other medical conditions, such as diabetes or hypertension. If it’s possible, you may also offer vision insurance so that your employees can visit an eye doctor at least once a year.
Follow these tips to protect your employees’ overall eye health. You may also encourage them to visit our eye care professionals in Eyes On Norbeck. Call us today at (301) 238-7199 or fill out our contact form to schedule an appointment. We offer services in Potomac, MD, and the surrounding areas.
