Your California employer is generally required to take steps to help prevent you from getting hurt at work. However, you can also take reasonable steps to minimize the risk of incurring an eye injury while performing your job-related tasks.
Make sure to wear protective gear
Goggles may help to protect against sparks that will likely be generated when cutting, grinding or welding various materials. They may also help to prevent harsh chemicals from splashing into your eyes while you are using them. Finally, they can reduce your risk of wiping your eyes with hands that might be covered in dirt, wood chips or other debris.
Know where the nearest eye washing station is located
If you do get any sort of foreign substance in your eyes, it may be possible to avoid a permanent injury by flushing it out as quickly as possible. Ideally, you will locate the eye washing station before interacting with materials that could cause harm. Your supervisor may also point out the location of such a station during an orientation session.
Limit your screen time
It isn’t uncommon for eye strain to become a problem for those who work in an office setting. This is because they will likely spend hours each day looking at their computer screens. You could also strain your eyes by looking at a smartphone screen for too long. To keep your risk of an injury to a minimum, you should spend at least 20 seconds looking at an object at least 20 feet away every 20 minutes. If you do experience any type of vision problem while at work, it’s a good idea to report it to your employer. After doing so, contact an attorney to learn more about the process of filing a workers’ compensation claim.