Your eyes are the only ones you will ever have. They are not replaceable. If you want them to last a lifetime, you need to protect them now.

Recognize situations that are dangerous to your eyes.

• Working in or around tree branches
• Using power tools like drills, grinders, saws, etc.
• Using hand tools like chisels, axes, any tools you strike
• Pouring, mixing, or applying chemicals
• Using a chain saw
• Using a string trimmer
• Welding
• Anywhere a flying particle could hit you in the eye
• Anywhere you could get poked in the eye
• Anywhere chemical splash or spray could hit you in the eye
• Being in the sun for extended periods of time (ultraviolet radiation)

Always use proper eye protection

• Approved safety glasses (not simple sun glasses or eye glasses) are needed to protect against flying particles or being poked.
• Protection from the side is needed as well as from the front.
• Goggles and face shields are even better when working with lots of flying particles, like around metal chips, in very dusty environments, or when pouring or mixing chemicals.
• Properly tinted safety glasses for outdoor use are needed to protect against ultraviolet rays.
• Welding requires special welding helmets and lenses. When chipping slag from a weld, always have eye protection.
• Certain chemicals require special chemical goggles. Never take shortcuts
• It only takes one chip or poke to destroy an eye.
• Don’t skip eye protection just because you are in a hurry or only drilling one hole, making one saw cut, or doing something for a very short period of time.
• Always ask a supervisor if you have a question.

Safety Training for Employers and Supervisors of Adolescent Farmworkers

Funding provided by National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, grant no. 5 U50 0H008107-02

Publication #: 5 U50 0H008107-02