Industrial Eye Safety

Scope of the Eye Injury Problem

Annual Estimates
2,400,000 eye injuries
365,000 – 700,000 work-related injuries
200,000 – 250,000 product-related
40,000 – 50,000 new cases of impaired vision

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.
Significant Facts
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.
Product-Related Injuries
Product-Related Injuries
139,520 male (68%) – 66,377 female (32%)
100,149 in the home (49%)
Highest single product category — welding equipment – 13,449
Product-Related Injuries
Sports and Recreational Activities
Total, all age groups: 37,923
Highest total, all age groups: basketball (7,852 injuries)
Product-Related Injuries
Highest product category or product grouping by age group:
<5 – water & pool sports 314
5-14 – baseball 3,163
15-24 – basketball 3,235
25-64 – basketball 2,458
65+ – golf 163
Product-Related Injuries
Dangerous Products to Children
Children under 4 years of age:
Toys (all types) 3,099
General purpose cleaners 1,864
Cigarette and tobacco products 1,738
Product-Related Injuries
Dangerous Products to Children
Product-Related Injuries
Workshop tools and supplies (59,014):
Welding equipment 13,449
Saws (all types) 7,310
Grinders/buffers 6,721

Yard and garden equipment (11,431):
Mowers (all types) 4,461
Trimmers/power edgers 3,385
Chain saws 1,786
Work-Related Injuries
Estimated 140,000 disabling injuries in 1995.
Direct cost of each disabling injury is estimated at $3,943.
Direct cost of disabling injuries estimated at $552,020,000.
Total cost of disabling injuries estimated at $1,104,040,000.
Work-Related Injuries
Total estimated cost of all work-related injuries $1.25 billion!
Average cost of plano Z87 protective eyewear:
Safety glasses/sideshields $ 7.00
Goggles $ 9.00
Faceshields $15.00

Burnt Patient
Children 5-14 years of age:
Toys (all types) 6,746
Baseball/softball 3,163
Basketball 2,128

Protective Eyewear Is Effective! Just ask Leo O’Campo
Age group totals:
<5 – 22,553
5-14 – 35,355
15-24 – 38,450
25-44 – 77,097
45-64 – 25,663
65+ – 6,779