If you work on a Georgia construction site, you are at high risk of suffering an eye injury. However, there are many steps that you can take to minimize the chances of getting hurt. For example, you could wear goggles, glasses or other protective coverings to prevent debris from making direct contact with your eyes.
Stay aware of your surroundings
Ideally, you will constantly scan your environment for anything that might put your safety at risk. For instance, if you see that someone is cutting a piece of wood, you should keep your distance from that person. Doing so can help to ensure that wood shavings don’t get into your eyes. If you experience any type of injury while on a job site, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits.
Make sure to inspect eye safety equipment on a regular basis
Wearing goggles won’t protect you from injury if they are contaminated with metal shavings, chemical residue or other debris. Furthermore, goggles won’t be able to protect you if they are broken or don’t fit properly. Ideally, protective equipment will be replaced after being struck by a falling object or after coming into contact with a corrosive material.
Make sure to wear the right type of protection
If you are working during periods of hot or humid weather, you should make sure that your goggles or glasses will not start to fog or sweat. At a minimum, moisture buildup will make it harder to see while on the job. In some cases, condensation can get into your eyes and result in significant discomfort and impaired vision.
An eye injury could result in blindness, blurry vision or the removal of the eyeball itself. In some cases, a scratched cornea or broken eye socket may make it impossible to work in the construction industry. By filing a workers’ compensation claim, it may be possible to obtain a financial award to pay treatment costs and make up for lost wages.