EYE PROTECTION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23857, 11 July 1939, Page 13

EYE PROTECTION

NEEDS IN INDUSTRY GOGGLES OR SCREENS During the recent debate on the report stage of the Factories Bill in the British House of Commons a new clause was added, under which the Home Secretary proposed to take power to make regulations ensuring the use of suitable goggles or effective screens in certain processes involving risk of injury to the eyes from particles thrown off in the course of proThose engaged in this type of work are well aware of the danger to the eyes through injury, but owing to the uncomfortable fitting of some goggles they are thrown aside. To eliminate this difficulty, screens are to be fitted wherever practical, and improved types of goggles ensuring greater comfort and efficiency are now procurable. These screens will cover much of the face, but are not in contact with it, thus leaving space for ventilation. According to reports from the Royal Eye Hospital. London, in 1936.12.000 casualties were dealt with. 7000 of these representing industrial eye injuries. Of the latter. 80 per cent, came from the engineering and metal trades. Although in all factories precautions are taken to minimise the effect of such accidents, they may from unforeseen circumstances happen. Furnace workers, moulders, acetylene welders, etc., are subject to burns, retinal fatigue, and affections of the lachrymal apparatus because*of the exposure to strong light and heat. Protection is almost always provided, but just on that very occasion when it is not used for that small job accidents happen, often resulting in permanent disability. Accidents may happen to anyone, and carelessness in leaving. such sharppointed instruments as forks and scissors where children can reach them can often cause lifelong regret. The most common forms of industrial injuries are caused by foreign bodies, ebrasions to the front surface of the eve. or penetrating wounds. In the case of a foreign body or particle of metal in the eye, it may be some little time before irritation is felt, unless Its size is sufficiently large to cause immediate trouble. However, it should be removed as soon as "possible so that the least possible damage can be done. The amount of irritation depends largely upon the amount of rusting on the tissue which has taken place by the action of the metallic foreign body. For this reason early.attention is essential, for as long as rust remains the eye will be irritable. It will be obvious that eye injuries can be prevented in the majority of cases if workmen will wear the protective devices available. At the Royal Eye Hospital an Industrial Eye Injuries Committee has been formed to endeavour to educate workers in eye protection. To assist in this work manufacturing opticians have for some time been conducting research in this direction, and have now placed at the disposal of all interested' bodies a series of • modern goggles and respirators covering practically all types of industry. ",.