TOOL BOX TALK

EYESIGHT SAFETY
There are two sides to eye safety. First, Safety for the eyes and second, safety through the
eyes. Safety for the eyes is expressed through the use of goggles, colored glasses, smoked
glass screens, face shield and the like.
In considering safety for the eye it is necessary for you to remember that the eye can be
seriously and permanently injured by a small particle of dust or by a ray of powerful light.
Powerful rays of light pass through the lens and burn out the screen at the back, so that it can
no longer respond, by accepting an image and transmitting it to the brain.
Someone has said it is easier to furnish goggles than eyes. All such remarks are intended to
impress upon us the supreme importance of saving our sight. The second aspect of eye safety
has to do with the use of the eyes, many danger signals are appeals to the sight. A man who
is colorblind cannot be a railway engineer. A man who has no eye for clearances makes a
poor truck driver and the man who has a defective judgement of distance cannot become an
airline pilot.
We need to protect our vision and to train our eyes ever to be alert to signs of danger and be
prepared to interpret those signs.
Another use to the eyes ought not to be forgotten. It is through our power of vision that we
read in magazines, newspapers and books. The ideas and suggestions that help us get more
out of life (knowledge).
Contact with dirty hands, gloves or clothing should be avoided. Also avoid wearing cheap
sunglasses. Do not read when lying down. Have good illumination and hold reading matter
no closer than 12 from the eyes.
When performing close work, look up frequently - extend your range of vision by looking at
something at a distance. Try to maintain a general good health standard.
Wear proper eye protection when performing work where there is a possibility of eye injury
from sharp tools, loose wires, chips, acids and other corrosive chemicals, or other foreign
matter.
In the case of eye injury obtain proper medical treatment at once.
Poor eyesight is the cause of many accidents. To conserve our sight, your health and maybe
your life, be kind to your eyes. Get and wear corrective glasses if you need them. Remember
that ordinarily your eyes are directly exposed to damage and injury. Protect them as much as
you can.
Let our slogan be:
USE YOUR EYES -- DONT LOSE THEM.
Any Questions.
John D`Cruz

CAT- SBG Safety Dept.