Bechtel Environmental, Safety, and Health (BESH) Eye Injuries and First Aid Response Bechtel First...

Bechtel Environmental, Safety, and Health (BESH)

Eye Injuries Eye Injuries andand First Aid Response First Aid Response

Bechtel First Response Training

Bechtel Environmental, Safety, and Health (BESH) Slide 2

Safety is Our ValueSafety is Our Value

“We measure safety performance by the number

of incidents. But let’s be clear…

it’s really not about incident rates…

it’s about people.

People who have faces, names, families, hopes, and dreams.”

-Riley BechtelAugust 15, 2001


Eye Injuries:Eye Injuries: Enabling Learning Objectives Enabling Learning Objectives

Eye injury causesEye injury preventionCore Process 205:

Personal Protective Equipment

First aid action forvarious eye injuries


Why is eye safety at work important?Why is eye safety at work important?

More than 2,000 people injure their eyes at work each day.

About 1 in 10 injuries require one or more missed workdays to recover from.

Of the total amount of work-related injuries, 10-20 % will cause temporary or permanent vision loss.

Experts believe that the right eye protection could have lessened the severity or even prevented 90% of eye injuries in accidents.


Basic Eye AnatomyBasic Eye Anatomy


Common Causes of Eye InjuriesCommon Causes of Eye Injuries

Flying debris (bits of metal, glass)

Sparks Tools Particles (grinding dust) Harmful radiation Excessive heat Chemicals (corrosive fluids or

mist) Any combination of these

or other hazards


Safety Eyewear ProtectionSafety Eyewear Protection

All employees are provided with the necessary PPE, as identified in theRisk Assessment for their particular workactivity.

Employees shall wear the appropriate PPEsupplied to them at all times while workingon their assigned tasks.

Safety eyewear protection includes: Non-prescription and prescription

safety glasses Goggles Face shields Welding helmets Full-face respirators

Anyone working in or passing through areas that pose eye hazards should wear protective eyewear.

Slide 7


Core Process 205: Personal Protective Core Process 205: Personal Protective EquipmentEquipment

Eye protection is required in such work situations including, but not limited to:

Working with rotating equipment such as grinders, drills, lathes

Cutting and welding Chipping, chiseling or caulking Using cartridge operated tools Blasting - abrasive and grit Working with chemicals Mixing drilling fluids, acids or other toxic

hazardous fluids Working with paints, disinfectant, pesticides or

other toxic or hazardous fluids Working with strong sources of electromagnetic

radiation, welding, machines, etc. Working in the open with the risk of wind blown

particles Slide 8



Required use of eye/face protection on all Bechtel projects:

Welding and other construction activities require special types of protection, including, in some cases, double protection.

Safety glasses will have approved side shields (slip-on side shields are prohibited).

Employees who work in tight or enclosed spaces will wear goggles, face shield, and other protective equipment.

All grinding operations will be performed while wearing a full-face shield and safety glasses or goggles.

Welders will wear both safety glasses and a welding hood while welding.

Slide 9



Employees whose vision requires the use of corrective lenses will wear one of the following:

Personal eye glasses whose protective lenses provide optical correction with permanent fixed side shields and conform to the requirements of a recognized national or international standard (e.g., BS, ANSI, or equivalent);

Safety goggles over their glasses, or goggles that incorporate a corrective lens mounted behind the protective lens, or safety over-glasses.

Slide 10



Safety sunglasses should be worn in strong sun glare to reduce eyestrain and fatigue.

Wearing of sunglasses is not permitted indoors.

Non light-sensing glasses with tinted lenses are prohibited inside buildings or other structures with limited illumination (includes prescription glasses).

Slide 11


What is the best defense against an eye What is the best defense against an eye injury? injury?

1. Know the eye safety dangers at work; complete an eye hazard assessment.

2. Eliminate hazards before starting work. Use machine guarding, work screens, or other engineering controls.

3. Use proper eye protection.

Anyone working in or passing through areas that pose eye hazards should wear protective eyewear.

Slide 12


What type of safety eye protection What type of safety eye protection should be worn? should be worn?

The type of safety eye protection worn depends on the hazards in the workplace.

In an area that has particles, flying objects, or dust, one must at least wear safety glasses with side protection (side shields).

If working with chemicals, goggles should be worn.

If working near hazardous radiation (welding, lasers, or fiber optics), one must use special-purpose safety glasses, goggles, face shields, or helmets designed for that task.

Slide 13


First Aid for First Aid for Eye EmergenciesEye Emergencies

Know where each eye wash station is located and the quickest route to First Aid.

DO NOT assume that any eye injury is harmless. All eye injuries are to report to the Project Nurse immediately.

DO NOT press or rub an injured eye.

DO NOT remove contact lenses. DO NOT attempt to remove a

foreign body or any object that appears to be embedded in any part of the eye.

DO NOT use tweezers, or anything else on the eye itself.


Foreign Bodies (specks) to the EyeForeign Bodies (specks) to the Eye

DO NOT rub the eye. Use a sterile eyewash to flush it

out. If the speck does not wash out,

keep the eye closed, bandage it lightly,and call the Nurse/refer to First Aid.

Corneal abrasion - a scratch or abrasion ofthe special skin which covers the front of the eye, occurs when something such as a fingernail, piece of dirt or contact lens comes into contact with the eye and scratches it


Cuts and Punctures of the Eye or EyelidCuts and Punctures of the Eye or Eyelid

Do NOT wash out the eye with water or any other liquid.

Do NOT try to remove an object that is stuck in the eye.

Cover the eye with a rigid shield without applying pressure. A paper cup can be used.

Refer to the Project Nurse at once.


Blow to the Eye (Contusion)Blow to the Eye (Contusion)

Must be assessed by the Project Nurse.

Apply a cold compress without putting pressure on the eye. Crushed ice in a plastic bag can be taped to the forehead to rest gently on the injured eye.

Pain, reduced vision, or discoloration (black eye), could mean internal eye damage.


Chemical Burns to the EyeChemical Burns to the Eye

Slide 18


Chemical Burns to the Eye Chemical Burns to the Eye First AidFirst Aid

In all cases of eye contact with chemicals:

Immediately flush the eye with water. Hold the eye under a faucet or shower, or pour water into the eye using a clean container. Keep the eye open and as wide as possible while flushing. Continue flushing for at least 15 minutes.

If a contact lens is in the eye, begin flushing over the lens immediately. This may wash away the lens.

DO NOT bandage the eye. DO NOT use an eyecup. Continue to flush the eye until

emergency medical services arrive.


Welder’s Flash BurnWelder’s Flash Burn

“Sunburn"-like condition on the cornea, typically heals within two days.

Must be assessed by the Project Nurse.

Wear an eye patch over affected eye to protect it during sleep.

Wear dark sunglasses with UV protection when being exposed to sunlight or bright light.

The Project Nurse may refer off-site is painis severe or vision is blurred.

Prevention is key. Set up fire-resistant curtains/shield around the machine to protect nearby workers from welding flash.

Slide 20


Test Your LearningTest Your Learning

1. What is the best defense against an eye injury?

2. Which eye protection should be worn when working with chemicals?

3. Where is each eye wash station in your work area?

4. Where is your First Aid Office?

5. What is the appropriate first aid response for a punctured eye?


We value yourWe value your Safety Safety and and HealthHealth

Questions?Questions?Speak with your Project Nurse or

Safety Professional


Learn More about Learn More about Eye Injuries and Eye Injuries and First AidFirst Aid

Bechtel Core Process 205: Personal Protective Equipment (BecWeb)

National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health (NIOSH.org)

National Safety Council (NSC.org)

Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA.gov)

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