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Eye Protection and Eye Safety at Work

Safety hazards are commonplace throughout a wide range of professions and workplaces. Depending on the type of work being done, it is important to take the necessary precautions to avoid any potential injuries. One common group of hazards that can occur in many workplaces are those that result in eye injuries.

Common eye injuries can range from minor irritations to more serious conditions including vision loss, punctures, corneal abrasions, damage to the lens, or even blindness. To protect workers, it is important for employers to provide employees with the proper eye protection gear. This may include safety glasses, goggles, or face shields.

Employees should also be aware of the potential hazards in their work environment and know how to properly use their eye protection gear. Wearing eye protection while working can help prevent serious injuries and ensure that workers are able to continue doing their job without any vision problems.

What is the main purpose of wearing eye protection at work?

First and foremost, eye protection is worn to reduce the risk of eye injury. Where you work in an environment where eye protection may be needed, health and safety legislation mandates that eye protection must be worn. Employers are tasked with providing adequate protection to their workers. In the interest of your own wellbeing, in such an environment you should pay attention to your working environment and always wear eye protection.

Potential Eye Hazards and Eye Injuries at Work

There are many potential eye hazards in the workplace. Here are some of the most common:

1. Chemicals and vapours. Many chemicals and vapours can cause irritation or even burns to the eyes. Always wear protective eyewear when working with any type of chemical to protect yourself from chemical splashes and similar hazards. Otherwise first aid procedures like flushing the eye for at least 15 minutes becomes necessary to stop irritation and reduce the risk of injury.

2. Flying particles and debris. Whether it’s dust, wood chips, or metal shavings, anything that can fly through the air has the potential to cause serious eye damage. Safety goggles are often the best choice when working a job that involves airborne particles.

3. Laser beams. Even low-powered laser beams can cause permanent damage to the retina if they enter the eye directly. For instance, consistent exposure to infrared radiation and light is linked to the development of cataracts forming on the lens. If you work with lasers, be sure to wear proper eye protection at all times.

4. Ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Outdoor work, and some indoor work, will have you in constant exposure to the sun and its hazardous radiation. While many of you are likely aware of the impact of UV radiation on the skin and the importance of seeking shade and covering your skin with clothing and or sunscreen, UV radiation also negatively impacts eye health. UV is linked to the development of cataracts, eye degeneration, growths, and cancer in the eye. The sun isn’t the only source of UV, a common workplace source is from welding. When you weld, the resulting welding arc is not only too bright to safely look at without the right eye protection, but it also releases ultraviolet rays.

When should you use eye protection?

If your workplace involves airborne particles or hazardous substances like those situations listed above, it is important that you take proper prevention measures by wearing suitable eye protection.

Types of Eye Protection and Safety Gear

There are three primary forms of protective equipment for the eyes, though it might be more fair to label them eye and face protection. Safety glasses are the most popular form of personal protective equipment (PPE) for the eyes. Second to glasses, you have safety goggles and face shields to choose from.

Safety Glasses

Safety glasses provide protection from airborne particles and hazardous substances and are the most common type of safety eyewear. They are designed to fit properly and snugly around the eyes and provide a barrier between the eyes and potential hazards. Safety glasses are often made of polycarbonate or other similar materials, can be clear or tinted, and can have special coatings to help protect against ultraviolet (UV) light or glare. Many safety glasses have side shields that provide additional side protection.

Safety Goggles

Often safety goggles are a better type of eye protection than glasses. For one, safety goggles create a seal around your eyes, which glasses don’t. This seal helps to keep out dust and other particles that could potentially damage your eyes. Secondly, goggles are commonly sturdier and made of stronger material than glasses, so they’re more likely to withstand impact in the event of an accident. Lastly, safety goggles can be worn over prescription glasses if necessary, which allows many workers to forgo the need for contact lenses without compromising on their vision.

Face Shields

Face shields protect your eyes from debris, dust, and other particles. They can also help prevent eye injuries from flying objects or chemicals. Face shields differ from goggles and glasses in that they do not fit to the eyes, ears, and around the nose. Rather, they sit atop the head and have a shield that comes down to cover the face. Many of them feature bands made from elastic or another material that go around your head in order to keep them in place, while others just use foam strips or headbands. Face shields are commonly used when working with molten materials and other substances that might be sprayed or splashed in the eye. Though it is important to note that face shields do not replace the need for other eye protection, but that they should be used in tandem with safety glasses to ensure that the wearer has adequate protection when lifting their shield.

Shop Eye protection

At DD Group, people matter to us. So, if you have any questions about eye safety and the relevant personal protection equipment, our team will be more than happy to help you. You can contact us by calling us at 1300 003 384 or by completing our contact us form here.

If you’d like to learn more about the safety glasses, safety goggles, and face shields available on the market, we’d like to invite you to view our complete range of eye protection here as well as our face protection here.

Ear and hearing protection is important in many different settings, both indoor and outdoor. For example, when using power tools on a construction site, ear protection can help reduce the risk of hearing loss. Indoor settings where ear protection is important include workshops, mines, and factories. In these settings, loud noises can be common and cause damage to the ear drums over time.

What is Hearing Protection?

Hearing protection is any device used or measure taken to defend ears from excessive noise. Ear plugs and ear muffs are the two most common types of hearing protection. They both work by blocking out noise. Ear plugs fit inside the ear canal, while ear muffs cover the entire ear. Both types come in a variety of shapes and sizes to fit different ears.

Hearing protection, also known as hearing protectors, should be worn whenever you are around loud noises. This includes construction sites, in the mines, while operating power tools, or working with loud vehicles. Doing so helps to protect you and your ears from sounds that are too loud and might otherwise damage your hearing.

Why Should You Wear Hearing Protectors?

Hearing protectors are for people who are regularly exposed to loud noises and don’t want to experience hearing loss. Loud noises can cause permanent damage to the ears, leading to pain and hearing loss. Noise-induced hearing loss is a common problem, and it can happen overtime through continuous exposure to loud noises, or all at once due to a single exposure. If you don’t take steps to protect your ears, you could end up with permanent hearing loss. Construction workers, factory workers, miners, and mechanics are just a few of the many people who can benefit from using these devices.

Hearing protectors work by blocking out the sound of loud noises. This prevents the noise from reaching the inner ear, where it can cause damage. There are a variety of different types of ear plugs and ear muffs available, so it is important to find the type that best suits your needs.

Workplace Noise Exposure and Hearing Protectors

Occupational health and safety legislation and the relevant Australian standards have a fair bit to say about the use of hearing PPE in workplaces where staff would experience a large exposure to noise. Many employers are expected to provide their staff with a certain level of protection, depending on the level of noise. This protection can arise from the use of personal protective equipment (PPE), like earplugs and earmuffs, as well as the implementation of occupational noise management strategies.

Workplace health and safety requires that workers must wear personal hearing protectors at all times when exposed to hazardous noise levels, even for a short while. Managers and supervisors have a responsibility to the workers under their care by ensuring they have adequate protection based on the noise level of the workplace.

How to Select the Right Hearing Protectors

There are Australian Standards in place to help decision makers select adequate hearing protectors for those within their organisation. When selecting hearing protectors, ensure that they are tested and approved in line with the requirements of the Australian Standard AS/NZ 1270:2002: Acoustics – Hearing protectors. The test results of a given piece of hearing PPE under this standard can be found on its packaging. Additionally, the Australian Standard AS/NZS 1269.3:2005 Occupational noise management – hearing protector program lays out the means by which hearing protectors are required to be selected and maintained.

Several factors influence what class of hearing protection is deemed appropriate. Amongst the most important are the workers’ 8-hour TWA exposure, measured in decibels, and the target 8-hour TWA exposure being less than 85 dba.

It is important that you do not provide hearing protection that either over-protects or under-protects. Over-protection runs the risk of leaving workers unable to hear what they should be able to in order to best fulfil their duties, which can result in serious injury or death. A common threshold used to determine whether or not a worker is over-protected is whether their hearing protection brings noise levels down to beneath 70-75 dba. Under-protection occurs when workers are wearing personal protection equipment that does not bring sound levels into the acceptable range. Being under-protected puts workers at risk of permanent hearing loss, tinnitus, or even deafness.

Types of Hearing Protection Devices

The two major types of hearing protectors are earplugs and earmuffs. Both of these come in a variety of options, though both work to protect people by reducing the noise exposure level they experience. Keep in mind that is important that you ensure the product you choose provides the right class of protection.

Earplugs

There are several reasons why you may be inclined to choose earplugs over earmuffs. Firstly, they tend to offer a higher degree of protection. Earplugs fit directly into the ear canal, they are more able to dampen sound in the ear. This, coupled with the fact that they are small, light, and therefore easy to carry, makes them an especially effective and convenient form of hearing protection. There are both disposable and reusable earplugs, depending on the needs of the individual. Most disposable varieties are foam earplugs, whereas reusable ones can be found in other materials like silicone. Many reusable earplugs have accessories that make them easier to keep on you when not in use, such as those that are corded and those that have headbands.

Earmuffs

Earmuffs are versatile in their own way. While not as small and easily stored on your person as earplugs, earmuffs are easily slipped on and off making them an excellent choice when needing protection for short periods of time. Once over the head and adjusted, it’s easy to be sure that the wearer is protected. Unlike when you wear earplugs, where you must be sure that they are properly inserted and fitted to the ear. Something to be aware of though, is that with prolonged use, the clamping force and the force of the headband can create discomfort. This should be taken into account when making your choice, as in many scenarios it is better to have equipment that is worn constantly, rather than one that will become uncomfortable and be removed for short periods.

What Standards and Legislation Address Hearing PPE?

There are several pieces of legislation and international standards that explore hearing safety and a range of hearing protection strategies. These provide practical recommendations for decision makers in an effort to protect their workers from noise induced hearing loss.

Some of these can be found listed here:

• Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011
• AS/NZS 1269:2005 Occupational noise management
• AS/NZS 1270:2002 Acoustics – hearing protectors
• Managing noise and preventing hearing loss at work code of practice 2021

Do You Have Any Questions?

At DD Group, people matter to us. That’s why we’re happy to answer any questions you may have about hearing safety and the relevant personal protection equipment. We have teams operating across Australia working tirelessly to support people like you make our country a safer place. You can reach out with your questions by calling us at 1300 003 384 or by completing our contact us form here.

Alternatively, if you’d like to learn more about the kinds of hearing protectors on the market or purchase some for you and your business, you can click here to view our range.

One in three women have experiences physical and/or sexual violence at the hands of someone known to them. Of those, 61% had children in their care at the time they suffered that violence.

RizeUp Australia is doing something about it, and you can help.

RizeUp Australia, in partnership with DD Group, is hosting a fundraiser lunch to support these women and other victims of domestic and family violence. The event will be held on October 28th at Cloudland in Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley. We will be joined by our Brand Ambassador, Scott Prince, and a special guest speaker, as we share in a delicious lunch and drinks package and host a fundraiser auction and raffle. Tickets are on sale now and 100% of the profits from the event will go to support RizeUp Australia’s work to end domestic and family violence. The lunch will be a great opportunity to learn more about RizeUp Australia, their mission, and how you can get involved. It will also be a chance to network with other businesses and professionals passionate about the wellbeing and future of their community.

Book your tickets before they sell out: https://events.humanitix.com/dd-rizeup-fundraiser-lunch

What Can You Expect?

Tickets are on sale now for $165 each. If you’re looking to come with a group, you can purchase 10 tickets and book a table for your group for only $155 a head. No matter which you pick, your ticket includes a 2-course meal, a 4-hour drinks package, and will directly support RizeUp Australia in their mission. Not only that, but there will be a fundraiser auction and a raffle where you’ll have a chance to bid and win any number of exciting products and experiences.

During the event, you’ll have the opportunity to hear our guest speaker, Tracey James Tewksbury, share her firsthand account of living as a victim a domestic violence alongside her five children. She’ll explore the impact that this violence has had on her life as well as her journey to overcoming it and how she now uses that experience to help others. You’ll learn about the role that RizeUp played in getting her and her children into a house and how they went on to make it a home.

DD Group continues to support RizeUp Australia because people matter to us. Not just our staff, clients, and partners; but all Australians. That’s why we continue to host these RizeUp Fundraisers. DD Group has been partnered with RizeUp since 2016, raising more than $300,000 dollars at events like this one. In May of this year, the DD RizeUp Fundraiser Dinner in Mount Isa saw $33,893.43 raised by more than 130 guests who came out to show their support of RizeUp Australia’s mission.

RizeUp Australia believes that every Australian should feel safe in their own home, and that children deserve a healthy environment in which they can grow up and develop. We at DD Group share in that belief and want to see a future free of domestic and family violence.

How Can You Help?

If you share in that belief and can attend, please join us for this eye-opening event and stand in valiant support of some of the most vulnerable Australians. Together, we can make a difference.

You can join us by booking your tickets here: https://events.humanitix.com/dd-rizeup-fundraiser-lunch

If you are unable to attend, you can still help support the work of RizeUp Australia when you share this event with others who may be able to attend.

From 1^st August 2022, DD Group (DDG) is pleased to announce the appointment of Shane Vassallo as Regional Operations Manager and Renee Vassallo as Operations Manager for their growing Mount Isa branch.

This husband-and-wife dynamic duo with over 35 years combined experience in the safety industry, will draw on learnings from recent roles within mine rescue, gas solutions and wider industrial safety industry, making them perfect candidates to head up the growing Mount Isa branch, DDG CEO John Macnamara explains.

“At DDG, we understand the importance of good people who contribute to the success of our business,” Mr Macnamara said.

“People matter to us, and it’s important that we’re bringing on board new team members that align with our values, and those that will work tirelessly with our business partners to help foster and grow a culture of safety in support of our goal of Zero Harm.”

With over 14 years’ experience working throughout Northwest Queensland, Shane and Renee are highly experienced in understanding the local needs, which is the backbone of DDG’s success throughout, not only Mount Isa region, but their growing footprint across Australia.

“It’s not just the extensive experience and expertise that Shane and Renee bring to the table that make us extremely excited to welcome them to the team.

“With a genuine passion and unapologetic commitment to their local community, supported by a longstanding reputation forming solution-based and value-driven partnerships, both Shane and Renee already live and breathe the DDG values, with a reputable track-record of their commitment to safety and ensuring staff get home safely to their loved ones.”

For Shane, the decision to join the growing DDG team as Regional Operations Manager, was the logical next move.

“DDG has grown from a small family-owned company to become known as one of Australia’s most collaborative and reliable suppliers in the civil and construction sectors.

“With a growing national footprint and the expansion of operations across various sectors, it’s truly an exciting time for DDG and both Renee and I are excited to play a role in the next stage of the company’s journey.” Shane continued.

To find out how Shane and Renee are delivering local expertise and nominating the right safety solutions for your projects and timelines, visit them at the DDG Mount Isa branch at 94 Marian Street.

Shane Vassallo
shanev@ddgroupint.com
0439 459 568

Renee Vassallo
renee@ddgroupint.com
0439 347 640

Mount Isa Office
94 Marian Street
Mount Isa Q 4825