Eye Injury Prevention at Work

Eye injuries can happen in any workplace, from healthcare and public safety settings to maintenance shops, laboratories, construction areas and offices. Flying debris, chemical splashes, infectious materials, radiation, sunlight, poor lighting, prolonged screen use and more can all affect workers’ eye health. Preventing eye injuries starts with recognizing hazards, selecting controls that fit the work and ensuring workers understand how to use protective equipment and safe work practices.

Why eye protection is important

Eye protection is a key part of a strong workplace health and safety program. Ontario’s Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) sets out duties for workplace parties and supports an internal responsibility system, where employers, supervisors and workers each have a role in identifying hazards and preventing harm. Employers must provide information, instruction and supervision, make workers aware of hazards and take every precaution reasonable in the circumstances to protect workers.

For tasks that may expose workers to eye injury, a hazard assessment should help determine the right controls. Examples of higher-risk activities can include cutting, grinding, breaking glass, working around chemicals, refuelling equipment, handling pressurized containers or working where blood or bodily fluids may splash. Where hazards cannot be eliminated or controlled through other means, properly selected eye protection helps reduce the likelihood and severity of injury.

Eye protection equipment

Eye and face protection may include safety glasses, goggles, face shields or other equipment appropriate to the hazard, acting as a barrier between workers and hazards. It’s also important to know that fit matters. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) that is provided, worn or used must be a proper fit and appropriate in the circumstances. This means eye protection should be the right size, compatible with other required PPE and suitable for the task. Protective eyewear should also be kept clean, inspected regularly and replaced if damaged, scratched or no longer effective.

Preventing eye injuries

Preventing eye injuries starts before PPE is put on. Employers should identify tasks that could expose workers to eye hazards, assess the level of risk and use controls that reduce exposure wherever possible. This may include keeping work areas clean and well lit, using guards or barriers, safely storing and handling chemicals, controlling dust or debris, and ensuring equipment is maintained according to safe work procedures.

Workers can also help prevent injuries by following procedures, wearing required protection for the full duration of the task, checking eyewear for damage before use and reporting missing, damaged or uncomfortable PPE. Eye wash stations, first aid procedures and incident reporting processes should be easy to access and understood by workers, especially in areas where chemical splashes or airborne particles may be present.

Eye strain prevention for office workers

Eye safety is not limited to goggles and face shields. Office workers who use computers, laptops, tablets or mobile devices for extended periods may experience visual fatigue, including eyestrain, burning eyes, blurred vision and headaches. Risk can also increase when screen work is combined with awkward postures, poor lighting or glare.

To help reduce eye strain, employers and workers should consider workstation setup, lighting and work practices. Screens should be positioned to reduce glare, task lighting should be maintained in good condition and workers should be encouraged to report discomfort early. Short visual breaks, changing focus away from the screen and adjusting display settings can also support comfort during prolonged computer work.

Sun safety for outdoor workers

Many workers, more specifically outdoor workers, can face additional eye hazards from sunlight, glare and ultraviolet (UV) radiation, especially when working near reflective surfaces such as water, concrete, snow, glass or metal. Employers should consider sun exposure as part of the hazard assessment and select eye protection that is appropriate for both the task and the environment. Safety sunglasses or tinted safety glasses should provide impact protection where required, fit properly with other PPE and offer UV protection to help reduce exposure to harmful rays. Polarized or glare-reducing lenses may also support visibility and comfort in bright conditions, but they should not replace task-specific protection where hazards such as flying debris, dust or chemical splashes are present.

Training and resources

Training helps turn eye safety requirements into everyday habits. Workers should understand the hazards they may encounter, when eye protection is required, how to select and wear the right PPE, how to inspect and maintain it, and how to report concerns. Supervisors should reinforce safe work practices and confirm that controls remain effective as tasks, equipment or work environments change.

You will find links to PSHSA resources listed below.