			

WHITE PAPER

EYE INJURIES IN SHIPYARDS

Background

Each day about 2,000 U.S. workers have a job-related eye injury that
requires medical treatment. These injuries incur more than $300 million
annually in lost production time, medical expenses, and workers’
compensation costs, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
(BLS). No dollar figure can adequately reflect the personal toll these
accidents take on the injured workers. “Yet 90 percent of all
workplace eye injuries are preventable with the use of proper eyewear
and safety measures,” said Daniel D. Garrett, Prevent Blindness
America (PBA) spokesperson. About one third of the daily injuries are
treated in hospital emergency departments, and more than 100 of these
injuries occurring daily result in one or more days of lost work. The
majority of these injuries result from small particles or objects
striking or abrading the eye. BLS found that almost 70% of the eye
incidents resulted from falling objects or sparks striking the eye.
Examples include metal slivers, wood chips, dust, and cement chips that
are ejected by tools, wind blown, or fall from above a worker. Some of
these objects, such as nails, staples, or slivers of wood or metal
penetrate the eyeball and result in a permanent loss of vision. Large
objects may also strike the eye/face, or a worker may run into an object
causing blunt force trauma to the eyeball or eye socket. Chemical burns
to one or both eyes from splashes of industrial chemicals or cleaning
products are common. Thermal burns to the eye occur as well. Among
welders, their assistants, and nearby workers, UV radiation burns
(welder’s flash) routinely damage workers’ eyes and surrounding
tissue. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in
2002, welding equipment contributed to more than 11,000 eye injuries
treated in U.S. hospital emergency rooms, with power grinders and
buffers coming in second with nearly 10,000 eye injuries. Many other
tools contribute to eye injuries if used improperly and without safety
glasses. Hand and power tools such as saws, drills and sanders present a
danger to eyes when precautions are not taken.

Annual Estimates - Eye Injuries

Source/Outcome	Number of Employees

Work-related	365,000 – 700,000

Product-related	200,000 – 250,000 

New cases of impaired vision	40,000 – 50,000



	Total (Annually)	2,400,000



Significant Facts

1,000,000 Americans have a permanent vision disability due to an eye
injury

About 7% of these disabilities are severe and 79% are blind in one eye

Injury is one of the most common causes of monocular blindness

Injuries occur most frequently in and around the home (45%)

41% of the victims are under the age of 45

78% of the victims are male

35% of injuries result from a foreign body in the eye

Eye Injuries in Shipyards

It is estimated that between 10% and 15% of total OSHA – recordable
injuries are eye injuries.  Shipyards are rich in eye hazards. Most work
involves the use of high-rpm rotating tools on metal stock that generate
high-velocity metal particles into the air. These particles often settle
to the decks or floors, only to be re-entrained into the atmosphere by
mechanical ventilation that is necessary for both comfort and safety. In
addition, work is frequently performed in the open air, and prevailing
winds tend to blow natural and man-generated dusts and particulates into
the air in shipyards, subjecting employees to potential eye hazards. In
addition to particulate-related hazards, there are issues related to eye
hazards from processes such as welding that produce ultraviolet and
infrared radiation that may injure eyes. Although less frequent, there
is the possibility of chemicals, paints, and other solvents splashing
into eyes. Finally, frequent eye injuries occur by the donning and
doffing of personal protective equipment. For example, foreign bodies
may enter eyes of workers when raising and lowering welding shields.

What Contributes to Eye Injuries at Work?

BLS reports that nearly three out of five workers injured were not
wearing eye protection at the time of the accident.  In addition, about
40% of the injured workers were wearing some form of eye protection when
the incident happened, but were obviously wearing the wrong type of
protective equipment, or ill-fitting equipment.  There are various
reasons why an employee may not be wearing appropriate eye protection
during activities which could be hazardous to the eyes.  For example,
when a group of construction workers was asked why they don’t wear eye
protection for duties where it was needed, their most common answer was
“I didn’t think that I needed it”.  Clearly, education regarding
eye hazards is an important factor in reducing eye injuries.  Another
important aspect however is improving safety culture and understanding
any psychological or personal reasons why workers may prefer to not wear
warranted eye protection. To illustrate this, when asked what might
improve their adherence to eye protection policy, a group of carpenters
listed the following measures:

Being supplied with well-fitting, stylish, and comfortable eyewear

Providing a choice of safety eyewear

Providing both dark and clear lenses

Providing holders/straps for safety eyewear to make it always accessible
to them and to help prevent scratching

Ensuring that supervisory personnel also wear their safety glasses on
site

Promoting a clear understanding of company policy that eye protection be
worn when appropriate

Consistent enforcement of the company’s’ eye safety policy

What Controls Will Prevent Eye Injuries?

Elimination of the hazard.  This is the most effective method of
control, and the option that should be chosen prior to considering other
options described below: 

Can alternate processes be considered? For example, can grinding of
surfaces be replaced by a process that does not demand aggressive
removal of metal or coatings? Can a process design be implemented to
avoid the removal of material?

Vacuuming is the most effective means for cleaning up dust and grinding
debris. After each job, dust and debris should be removed by vacuuming
(not swept).  Also, inspection of the area in which work is to be
performed should be done to determine the presence of latent dust and
debris – especially in the overhead.

Engineering Control of the Hazard.  If the hazard cannot effectively be
eliminated, another type of control must be employed to reduce eye
hazards. Engineering controls are a form of process control.  However,
to work properly, employees must make a concerted effort to use them
properly.

An example of this type of hazard control is grinding into bags that
will retain the dust that is generated from the grinding operation. Care
must be taken to ensure that material from which the bag is constructed
is fire-retardant. Particulates from grinding, sanding, needle gunning,
etc. can be directed into these bags. A flexible frame can be used to
retain the bag open.

Administrative Controls/Eye Safety Hygiene

Dirt and debris can collect on the brim of hard hats or on welding
shields, goggles, hood, full-face respirators, etc. A successful method
for safely removing the protective equipment is to have workers close
their eyes and tilt their head forward before removing their PPE.  This
will allow the debris to fall away from the face.

Stop and briefly close your eyes if a gust of wind or a blow down
operation is stirring up debris.

Close your eyes and wipe your eyes and face with a clean cloth or towel
to help keep debris out of your eyes.

When you shower at work or at home, be aware that debris, including
metal pieces, can remain in your hair. Close your eyes when you remove
your clothing, comb your hair, etc.

Don’t clean your safety glasses with anything but soap and water.
Other solutions, including Windex®-type products, destroy the anti-fog
sealant applied by the manufacturer. Also, do not use anti-fog solutions
on your glasses for the same reason.

Personal protective equipment (PPE).  Evaluation of accident data shows
that PPE works best for airborne particulates hazards if it completely
encloses your eyes. Following are various types of PPE that will keep
airborne particulates out of your eyes. You should determine which type
or which combinations you can use to accomplish “full enclosure” and
use it. 

Safety glasses. Safety glasses work best for projectiles and larger
particles. They don’t work as well for smaller debris, such as metal
from grinding operations. To maximize their effectiveness, you must wear
the style that provides the best coverage for you. Take time to get
glasses that fit you properly. Try on different sizes and styles so you
get the best fit. The goal is to find a style that leaves no more than
1/4” (inch) gap in all areas between your face and the glasses.

Traditional cover goggles. Goggles are one of the choices of eye
protection required if you are performing any of the following:

Chipping

Grinding/sanding/cutting metal or wood

Wire wheel brushing

Needle gun cleaning

Combination goggles and safety glasses. This style of eyewear, called
“double Gs,” is lightweight, comfortable, completely encloses the
eyes and fits easily under a welding shield, face shield or full hood.
Double Gs can be used for operations that currently require traditional
cover goggles or face shields over safety glasses. Also, when performing
overhead work or when working under or around grinding operations,
consider using cover goggles or double Gs.

Note: A face shield over safety glasses is very effective for
projectiles; however, it does not provide the most effective protection
for dust-producing operations because the eyes are not completely
enclosed. The same is true for welding shields.

Full hoods. These hoods, which fit over the hard hat, completely enclose
the eyes, are made with fire-resistant material and have a viewing
window. Safety glasses or double Gs are required underneath.

Full-face respirator. A full-face respirator provides excellent eye and
face protection from dust producing operations that require a
respirator. 

Note: A welding lens that attaches to the full-face respirator is
available for jobs that require a welding shield over a respirator.

Sweat bands. Sweat bands can help keep sweat that may contain debris
from dripping or running into your eyes.

Summary

In shipyards, eye injuries are frequent, costly, and cause undue pain
and impact to workers and their families.  Yet, they are very easily
preventable.  With proper hazard recognition, evaluation, and control of
eye hazards, employees will return safely to their homes, and employers
will avoid the unnecessary costs and negative impact of these injuries.

Further More Information:

NIOSH Eye Safety Home page:  HYPERLINK
"http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/eye/"
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/eye/ 

NIOSH Eye Safety Toolbox:   HYPERLINK
"http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/eye/toolbox-eye.html" 
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/eye/toolbox-eye.html 

OSHA Eye and Face Protection Home page:  HYPERLINK
"http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/eyefaceprotection/index.html"
http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/eyefaceprotection/index.html 

OSHA Eye and Face Protection eTool:  HYPERLINK
"http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/eyeandface/index.html"
http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/eyeandface/index.html 

Exhibit 14

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