Builders Merchants Journal – BMJ Publishing to Builders Merchants and the UK merchanting industry for more than 95 years
Specsavers has revealed that more than a quarter of tradespeople don’t protect their eyes on-site and one in three know someone who has injured their eyes on the job.
The survey showed that painters are the worst offenders (26%), followed by brickies (24%) and sparks (22%), the survey was commissioned by Specsavers for National Eye Health Week – which is September 18-24.
Giles Edmonds, clinical services director at Specsavers, said: ‘Things commonly found on building sites such as paints, solvents and debris can cause serious harm if you get them in your eyes. This National Eye Health Week we’re asking workers to open their eyes and put safety first by making sure they are equipped with the proper PPE.”
It also showed that 26% of tradespeople admit they do not protect their eyes on-site and 35% of tradespeople admit they know someone who has injured their eyes at work.
As well as building materials, prolonged exposure to UV rays from working outdoors can increase the chances of eye conditions such as cataracts.
‘According to our findings up to half of workers need prescription glasses but 60% of those workers are only wearing their normal glasses on the job – meaning they are putting their eyes at serious risk,’ added Edmonds.
