Safety goggles should be worn by Australian workers

Eye injuries in the workplace are a major cause of morbidity and disability, despite well publicised standards for industrial eye protection. A prospective survey of 51 patients presenting to a metropolitan emergency department with a work-related eye injury revealed that 32 injuries (63%), occurred to workers wearing some form of protective eye wear. However only seven (14%) were wearing eye protection that complied with the Australian Standard AS 1336 for occupational eye protection. Thirty-six patients (71 %) had suffered previous eye injuries at work. Most injuries were'caused by medium velocity particles generated by power tools, generally causing superficial corneal injury. We conclude that education to reduce the widespread misuse of safety glasses by tradespeople and trades assistants during tasks for which goggles are recommended could considerably reduce the incidence of occupational eye injuries.