ILO calls for collaboration to protect workers’ eye health

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Photo: ILO

Geneva — Occupational safety and health programs should identify and assess the on-the-job risks to eye health, the International Labor Organization says.

In collaboration with the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness, ILO recently released the Eye Health and the World of Work report, in which the United Nations agency calls for enhanced worker protections.

The report claims that better workplace safety records, improved worker well-being and increased productivity are all benefits of supporting eye health in the workplace.

An estimated 3.5 million occupational eye injuries occur every year, an ILO press release states.

In 2020, around 143 million working-age people had moderate to severe vision impairment, while another 18 million were experiencing blindness, according to the report. These figures suggest an estimated annual global productivity loss of $411 billion because of vision impairment.

The most common eye-related hazards fall into four categories:
Nonionized radiation: Solar (outdoor workers), artificially generated light sources (welding, steel making and glass making), computers and indoor lighting systems (office workers), and specialists using highly technical applications such as lasers and germicidal lamps (health care and manufacturing)
Ergonomic: Desk jobs (office workers)
Mechanical: Grinding, abrasion, drilling, blasting and other fractionating processes (forestry, resource extraction, construction and metalworking), and dusty/windy outdoor work (quarrying)
Chemical and biological: Liquid splashes (agricultural pesticide applications, health care and chemical processing industries), as well as fomite transfer, cough and sneeze droplets, and aerosols from bioinfectious substances

Last year, delegates of the ILO adopted a resolution that adds “a safe and healthy working environment” to the agency’s framework on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work. The fundamental conventions support worker eye health and list three key aspects to be considered in this area:

  • Reduce risks to eyesight at work
  • Ensure access to eye care services
  • Promote good eye health throughout the working lives of all workers

ILO calls for “strong collaboration with public health players beyond the workplace” to promote lifelong eye health.


McCraren Compliance offers many opportunities in safety training to help circumvent accidents. Please take a moment to visit our calendar of classes to see what we can do to help your safety measures from training to consulting.

Original article published by Safety+Health an NSC publication

March is Workplace Eye Wellness Month

Original article published by Safety+Health

Photo: Prevent Blindness

Chicago — No matter where work gets done, “protecting vision should always be a priority,” advocacy group Prevent Blindness is reminding employers.

Workplace Eye Wellness Month is observed every March. Citing data from the American Academy of Ophthalmology, Prevent Blindness claims 90% of the thousands of work-related eye injuries sustained each year could be prevented if workers wore proper eye protection.

The group offers resources – including fact sheetsinfographics and a PowerPoint presentation – for employers.

Common causes of eye injuries include flying objects (including bits of metal and glass), tools, particles and chemicals. Personal Protective and Lifesaving Equipment – Eye and Face Protection (1926.102) ranked ninth on OSHA’s list of the most frequently cited worker safety and health standards in fiscal year 2022. The top section cited within the standard, 1926.102(a)(1), states: “The employer shall ensure each affected employee uses appropriate eye or face protection when exposed to eye or face hazards.”

Prevent Blindness America also cautions workers who routinely use computers, tablets and smartphones about the risks of eyestrain.

“Maintaining healthy vision is a critical part of maintaining overall good health for working adults,” Prevent Blindness President and CEO Jeff Todd said in a press release. “We strongly urge everyone to talk to their eye doctor about the best ways to keep eyes healthy at their jobs today and for years to come.”


McCraren Compliance offers many opportunities in safety training to help circumvent accidents. Please take a moment to visit our calendar of classes to see what we can do to help your safety measures from training to consulting.