Eye injury toolbox talk

What it is

Damage to the eyes from projectiles, dust, splashes, pressurised fluids or radiation.

Controls to check, most effective first

1. Enclose or guard grinding, cutting and chipping work, and use screens to protect others nearby from flying particles.
2. Use dust extraction and splash guards, and never use compressed air to blow dust off clothing or work surfaces.
3. Release pressure before disconnecting hoses and fittings so fluid cannot spray into the face.
4. Provide eyewash stations or eyewash bottles close to where chemicals are used and dust is generated.
5. Wear safety glasses, goggles or face shields suited to the hazard, and welding helmets with the correct shade lens.

Where it comes up on the job

Work steps from SafetyDocs templates that deal with eye injury:

• Gas welding, soldering & cuttingControl fire, burns, eye injury and heat stress during hot workFrom Rough-in Final Fit-out Plumbing
• Welding, solderingWeld and solder under a hot work permit, controlling fire, burns, eye injury and heat stressFrom Fire Sprinkler System Installation

Questions for the crew

1. Where could eye injury come up on this job today?
2. The most effective control is: “Enclose or guard grinding, cutting and chipping work, and use screens to protect others nearby from flying particles”. Can we do that here? If not, why not?
3. Which controls for eye injury are missing or not working on this site?
4. When would you stop work because of eye injury, and who would you tell?
5. How do we report a hazard, a near miss or an incident on this job?