Health and safety in the shop or garage
(→Eye and hearing protection) |
(→Eye and hearing protection) |
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Many accidents and injuries are caused by lack of attention to what is going on. | Many accidents and injuries are caused by lack of attention to what is going on. | ||
| − | == Eye | + | == Eye protection== |
| − | + | Corrective glasses and sunglasses are not an acceptable substitute for safety glasses. If wearing corrective glasses, then wear safety glasses designed to fit around them, or invest in a pair of prescription safety glasses. | |
| − | + | In America, the national government standard for eye protection is ANSI Z-87.1 Make sure your safety glasses carry this designation. | |
| − | + | When grinding, use a full face shield. | |
| − | + | While safety glasses and full-faced shields are acceptable in many situations, sometimes they are not enough. Safety glasses that completely fill the gap between the face and the lens are sometimes needed. Rust, hot metal grindings, and abrasives (like sand and dirt) can literally ricochet off your cheek, then bounce off the inside of the safety glasses and embed themselves into your eyes. | |
| − | Eyebrows, hair, and hats can all hold debris that can get into and damage your eyes. Clean your "above the eyes" area on your body before removing your safety glasses. When showering after grinding, close your eyes while you wash your face thoroughly. Turn around the bill of your hat, because it can hold debris, or redirect it into your eye. | + | ===Eye protection tips=== |
| + | *Eyebrows, hair, and hats can all hold debris that can get into and damage your eyes. Clean your "above the eyes" area on your body before removing your safety glasses. | ||
| + | *When showering after grinding, close your eyes while you wash your face thoroughly. | ||
| + | *Turn around the bill of your hat, because it can hold debris, or redirect it into your eye. | ||
| + | *Be careful of debris on anything that will be lifted over your eyes (like a ladder). | ||
| + | *When working under potential debris (like when working under a car), don't remove your safety glasses, for example, to wipe the dust off. | ||
| + | *Use the proper filter lens shade for the job. UV light can cause a number of vision problems, including deadly cancerous eyelid tumors and blindness. | ||
| − | + | ===Arc flash=== | |
| + | *Also known as "arc eyes", "flash burn", "snow blindness", "ultraviolet keratitis", or "corneal flash burn". It's analogous to a sunburn on your eyeballs. | ||
| + | *Avoid "blind" tack-welding -- closing your eyes, blocking your eyes, or looking away when you tack. | ||
| + | *Take steps to ensure that nobody "walks in" on a welding job without eye protection, or they could get arc flash (ie: sign on the door). | ||
| + | *Don't weld with a white shirt on -- it's too reflective. | ||
| + | *Don't weld with "cool" sunglasses as protection. Being blind isn't cool. | ||
| + | ====Symptoms==== | ||
| + | *Feels like you have sandpaper rubbing your eyeballs. | ||
| + | *Bloodshot eyes. | ||
| + | *Light sensitivity. | ||
| + | *Excessing tearing. | ||
| + | *Moderate to sever pain. | ||
| + | *Can't close eyes (can't sleep). | ||
| + | |||
| + | ===What about using potatoes, potato juice, or milk?=== | ||
| + | Don't put a potato on your eye, or potato juice, or milk. It's likely an urban legend. It's not sterile and could cause an infection. Instead, use eyewash from a first aid kit. See a doctor. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ===What about using over-the-counter eyedrops?=== | ||
| + | Don't use topical anesthetic drops, because they can slow the healing of the cornea. However (ask your doctor), you can probably use over-the-counter lubricant eyedrops. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ===When to see a doctor about arc flash=== | ||
| + | If you have pain in your eyes, or your vision blurs or changes, you should see a doctor, preferably an ophthalmologist. Or, just go to an emergency room. | ||
| + | |||
| + | The doctor will examine your eye, typically with a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slit_lamp slit lamp]. You may receive some eyedrops to numb your eye, dilate, or dye your eye to aid in the examination. Then, you'll probably get some eyedrops to take home, to help alleviate the pain or lubricate your eyes. In most cases, you should be recovered with a few days. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ===Related links=== | ||
| + | ====Articles and tech info==== | ||
| + | *[http://www.eyesafety.4ursafety.com/terms.html Safety glasses terms, types, and lens tint descriptions, from 4UrSafety.com] | ||
| + | *[http://www.emedicinehealth.com/corneal_flash_burns/article_em.htm Corneal flash burn, from eMedecineHealth.com] | ||
| + | *[http://www.equipdirect.com/index.asp?PageAction=Custom&ID=3 Safety glasses glossary] | ||
| + | |||
| + | ====OSHA standards==== | ||
*[http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=STANDARDS&p_id=9778 OSHA standard for eye and face protection] | *[http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=STANDARDS&p_id=9778 OSHA standard for eye and face protection] | ||
| + | [http://www.labtrain.noaa.gov/osha600/refer/menu11a.pdf OSHA guide listing proper filter lens shade number for different welding operations] | ||
| + | ====Discussions==== | ||
| + | *[http://www.hotrodders.com/forum/safety-glasses-slag-135401.html Safety glasses and slag] | ||
| + | *[http://www.hotrodders.com/forum/burned-eyes-121146.html Burned eyes] | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==Hearing protection== | ||
Ear plugs and muffs are a must when working with loud tools like grinders, saws, routers, etc. People often overlook hearing protection because the damage is not immediately known and often occurs slowly over several years. Once hearing has been impaired, there is no way to reverse the damage. Protect your hearing now and thank yourself later. | Ear plugs and muffs are a must when working with loud tools like grinders, saws, routers, etc. People often overlook hearing protection because the damage is not immediately known and often occurs slowly over several years. Once hearing has been impaired, there is no way to reverse the damage. Protect your hearing now and thank yourself later. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Wear ear plugs when welding overhead, to avoid getting slag in your ears. | ||
*[http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=STANDARDS&p_id=9735 OSHA standard for occupational noise exposure] | *[http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=STANDARDS&p_id=9735 OSHA standard for occupational noise exposure] | ||
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