March is Workplace Eye Wellness Month

Workplace Eye Wellness Month was started by Prevent Blindness, an American non-profit organization, to encourage employers and employees to prioritize eye safety and eye protection. It is now recognized across North America and supported by the national ophthalmologist associations in Canada and the US. This month is a great opportunity to reinforce the importance of prioritizing eye safety in your workplace. Here are a few ideas about how you can involve your employees in making eye safety a priority.

Make Eye Safety a Priority

1. Promote March as Workplace Eye Wellness Month

At every meeting of employees, formal and informal, announce your recognition of March as Workplace Eye Wellness Month. Use this as an opportunity to raise awareness about the importance of eye safety through posters, safety bulletins, and educational materials in the workplace. Educate employees on the importance of a safety culture where eye safety is valued and prioritized at all levels of the organization. Eye safety needs to be a priority from management to frontline workers. Organize special events or activities during Workplace Eye Wellness Month, such as safety demonstrations, workshops, or contests, to engage and educate employees about eye safety. Encourage open communication and discussion within employee groups about eye safety concerns, best practices, and areas for improvement.

2. Encourage all employees to visit an optometrist

Regular eye exams aren’t just about prescriptions for corrective lenses. Every employee can benefit from a visit. Optometrists are trained to detect, treat, and manage eye diseases. Regular visits for an eye exam will ensure any concerns are caught early and can be treated to minimize impact. Optometrists can also often detect signs of other health issues, such as diabetes or high blood pressure. If they identify any problems, your optometrist can refer you to an ophthalmologist or other specialists for further evaluation. Regular visits to eye care professionals can give you a better picture of your eye health and overall health before you begin to experience symptoms even if not work-related.

3. Educate employees on digital eye strain

If your employees do lots of computer work, take action to reduce the risk of computer vision syndrome (CVS) or digital eyestrain. Digital screens emit blue light, and studies suggest that over-exposure to blue light can impact sleep patterns, appetite, and mood. Digital eye strain is like other repetitive strain injuries sustained in the workplace. Offer employees simple advice, such as ensuring they take appropriate breaks when working on computers or other screens to protect their eyes. A good rule of thumb is the 20/20/20 Rule to ensure enough breaks. The 20/20/20 rule reminds us to take a break every twenty minutes, during which you look at something at least twenty feet (6 meters) away from your screen for at least twenty seconds. These breaks allow your eyes to relax and re-focus.

4. Organize eye safety training sessions and discussions

Training is a crucial aspect of your eye safety program. A good initiative in March is to launch a fresher training session. Provide a series of sessions to ensure all employees can participate and receive comprehensive training on eye safety practices, hazards, and the proper use of safety eyewear. Do a companywide review. Ask employees about safety eyewear fit and if they have any concerns. Speak to employees, ask them to show you their safety eyewear, and inspect safety eyewear for damage. Confirm that their safety eyewear is clean and ready for use.

5. Organize eye safety training sessions and discussions

If you host toolbox talks, consider making eye safety your topic this month. A toolbox talk is a short (10 to 15 minutes) and informal meeting to discuss safety and other workplace concerns. These talks are a very effective way to refresh knowledge, cover last-minute safety checks, and exchange information on workplace hazards, safe work practices, and the need for specific safety eyewear. If you are planning an eye safety toolbox talk, plan to bring along a few safety eyewear samples, such as the range of products your company makes available. Since safety eyewear is something we can touch and feel, it can be helpful to share a few samples of good safety eyewear and a few samples of scratched, dirty, or damaged safety eyewear. Conclude the toolbox talk by reinforcing that making eye safety a priority requires collaboration, communication, and commitment from everyone in the workplace.

Eyesafe™ also offers in-house information sessions. A member of our team will come to your sites and present the Eyesafe™ program and eye safety information to your employees or your program coordinators. If you are interested in booking an info session, email Maureen Wade, Eyesafe Program Representative at mysafety@eyesafe.ca.

6. Review and re-distribute your eye safety policy

If you don’t currently have an eye safety policy, this month is the perfect time to develop and launch one. An eye safety policy communicates an organization’s commitment to eye safety. It must be signed by senior management, made available to employees, reviewed regularly, and updated as needed. Your policy will define the plan of action and the methods chosen to meet OHS requirements and protect workers’ eyes on the job.

7. Encourage compliant use of safety eyewear

Take time this month to remind people to wear safety eyewear. When you see someone wearing their glasses, thank them for protecting themselves. If you see someone who forgot to wear their safety eyewear, use it as a coaching opportunity to explain the “why” of the safety eyewear policy. Encourage other employees to look around the worksite and remind their fellow employees to use their safety eyewear.

Emphasize that eye safety is an ongoing commitment to continuous effort and vigilance from employers and employees. Encourage everyone to actively participate in identifying and addressing potential hazards, implementing safety improvements, and promoting a culture of safety year-round. By involving both employers and employees in making eye safety a priority during Workplace Eye Wellness Month, you can create a shared commitment to preventing eye injuries and a safer work environment for everyone.

Glyn Jones is a partner at EHS Partnerships Ltd. in Calgary. He is a consulting occupational health and safety professional with 35 years of experience. He is a regular safety conference speaker in Canada, and he provides program design and instructional support to the University of New Brunswick’s OHS certificate and diploma programs.

Introducing Toolbox Talks

A toolbox talk is a 10-15 minute informal safety meeting. Some companies call them tailgate meetings, team huddles, tailboards, or safety briefings.

Toolbox talks focus on a safety topic related to specific jobs, workplace hazards, or safe work practices. They are a great opportunity to emphasize the importance of good work planning and controls, including personal protective equipment like safety eyewear.

Eyesafe will release a new Toolbox Talk every few months on topics relating to eye safety.

➡ Download Toolbox Talk: Preventing Eye Injuries at Work