Toolbox Meeting 2 -- EYE PROTECTION - FLYING PARTICLES

A worker asked his insurance company to pay for the damage done to his glass eye, which was broken when a nail he had been driving flew up and struck it. When he was asked how he had lost the eye in the first place, he replied, "In the same way, a nail flying." A world of darkness awaits this man if sometime the nail hits his only good eye, because he has not yet decided to take advantage of the protection of safety glasses. It may be difficult getting used to eye protection, but have you tried getting used to a glass eye?

There are two kinds of foreign particles which can get in your eyes on construction jobs. One kind is the material carried by the wind -- sawdust, flecks of iron rust, etc. These aren't too troublesome. Then there are the high-speed chips which result when one hard material comes in contact with another hard material.

Here is where you really need eye protection:

1. Driving hardened nails in concrete.
2. Running an electric hammer in concrete.
3. Drilling, reaming or chipping metal.
4. Hammering on a chisel or a steel pin.
5. High-wind conditions.
6. Using solvents.
7. Babbitting
8. Welding

QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION:
1. What are jobs we do where eye protection is needed?
2. Do we have proper eye protection available, and is it used?

For more information read section 3 - Personal Protection Equipment - in the Elevator Industry Field Employees' Safety Handbook