Ergonomics - Eye protection experts

Introduction

Certain workplace accidents can result in serious eye injuries, loss of vision or even blindness. The eye is an extremely delicate part of the body where permanent vision loss can result from even a relatively minor injury.

High-risk jobs that pose a substantial risk for eye injury involve working with:

• Hazardous chemicals
   
• Dusty surroundings
   
• Compressed air
   
• Excessively bright lights
   
• Tools or machines that are used to chip, chisel, grind, sand, drill or weld

Different types of eye injuries may include:

• Cuts or scratches to the eye
   
• Chemical burns
   
• Punctures
   
• Third party objects embedded in the eye
   

Wearing appropriate eye protection can significantly reduce the risk of injuries while working in a hazardous setting. The types of eye protection are categorised according to the level of impact protection it covers:

• Low impact protection: safety glasses, safety glasses with side shields, safety clip-ons, eye cup goggles, wide vision goggles, eye shields and face shields can all be effective as low impact protection.
   
• Medium impact protection: side shields, safety clip-ons, eye cup goggles, wide vision goggles, eye shields and face shields can all be effective as medium impact protection.
   
• High impact protection: face shields provide adequate protection as high impact protection.
   

At the bottom of this profile are brief details of a number of the experts that Expert Experts represents. Call our office to discuss your requirements and to obtain a recommendation that suits your needs and budget.

Expertise in Action

Eye protection experts may be required to provide opinion in cases involving:

• Eye injury due to a failure of protection equipment
   
• Workplace practices and procedures regarding eye protection and prevention of injuries
   
• Breach of duty of care while providing adequate eye protection to employees performing hazardous tasks
   
• Evaluation of ergonomic efficiency in the workplace
   

Sample Reports

For some fields of expertise we have some sample sections of de-identified reports. Please contact our office if you are interested in a sample.

Cost

The overall cost of expert opinion depends on the services required. Some of the key factors that affect the cost of advice include:

• The need for a view or inspection of a location
• The quantity of documentary material to be reviewed
• Whether there are reports of other experts to be reviewed and commented on in detail
• Whether there is a need for conferences with the expert either in person or by telephone/Skype

Relevant Articles Protecting your Eyes on a Building Site

There are many hazards on construction sites that may affect our eyes and our ability to see, such as flying particles that may be ejected as a by-product of operations such as grinding, sawing, hammering and welding as well as dust and other particles from wood, metal, plastic etc becoming airborne and entering our eyes.

Eye Injuries and Eye Safety Protection

50,000 eye injuries occur every year in Australia, costing the government $60 million. The majority of these are workplace injuries but many are also acquired at home or doing daily tasks such as gardening, playing sport or cleaning.

Relevant Cases Woods v Multi-Sport Holdings Pty Ltd [2002] HCA 9; 208 CLR 460; 186 ALR 145; 76 ALJR 483

The appellant suffered a serious eye injury while playing indoor cricket.

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