In the Workplace

Help preserve your vision by planning a regular visit to the optometrist for a complete eye examination. Just as a doctor assesses your overall health, the optometrist will assess your eye health and can detect changes in your eyes that you might not have realized.
 
Understand your Company Benefits
Check your company benefits before your appointment. Find out if you are covered for eyeglasses or other eyewear, such as contct lenses. Many companies offere coverege for regular eye examinations.
 
In the Office
Minimizing eyestrain will increase your comfort and productivity levels and help to reduce ailments, such as headaches, that may keep you from working. Learn more about computer vision syndrome.

Industrial Work
The human eye is one of the most intricate organs of the body. It has come equipped with some basic anatomical and protective mechanisms, which help protect it every day, such as eyelids and eyelashes. But the rigors of industrial and construction work are more than what the regular eye defences can handle. It is critical that workers protect their eyes to avoid a severe eye injury including blindness.

When you are putting on your hardhat, work gloves and safety boots, remember to slip on proper protective eyewear that is CSA approved.

A regular visit to the optometrist for a comprehensive eye examination will ensure that you are seeing to the best of your ability. Should you require prescriptive eyeglasses in addition to safety protection, consult your employer and your optometrist.

To help prevent eye related injuries assess the following at your worksite:

Distance of Work

  • Is it close to you, arm's length away, fixed or changing?
  • Work area size; is it large or small, restrictive, open area?
  • Speed & motion of objects; are they rapid, slow, fixed, rotating?
  • Lighting; is the area well lit, contrasts, is there glare?
  • Surface of work; is it secure, unstable, slippery, coated or ergonomic?
  • Potential eye hazards; is there debris, dust, metal, lasers?


Assess Yourself

  • Clean your visors and protective goggles
  • Avoid scratching your protective eyewear - scratches create strain on the eyes and might make it difficult to see your work properly
  • Report any unsafe conditions or broken eyewear to your Health and Safety team
  • Improve your workplace - provide suggestions on how to improve all safety in your workplace