Table of Contents
The percentages shared below should be a wake-up call for anyone who neglects wearing safety goggles while performing hazardous activities. A research paper published in the International Journal of Community Medicine and Public Health reports that nearly 45% of eye injuries occur in the metal industry, followed by construction sites (30%) and the agriculture industry (25%). Will you still choose to be adventurous enough to risk your eyes?
The same study further identifies that the avoidance of safety goggles / protective goggles and a lack of training are the major causes of these ocular injuries. Can you believe this? A substantial number of industrial accidents could have been avoided by merely wearing protective goggles.
ROI of Protective Goggles
- Financial Aspect– The cost of basic safety goggles costs nearly Rs 150, while the cost of premium-quality certified safety goggles generally ranges from ₹800 to ₹1,200. On the other hand, the cost of occupational ocular injury treatment may range from ₹5,000 to ₹200,000 or more depending on the severity of the injuries that occurred.
- Emotional Aspect– Eyes are among the most vital sensory organs and play a crucial role in the five senses. After an ocular injury, workers may take 3–4 weeks or longer to return to work, and sometimes vision impairments lead to job loss as well. In severe cases, individuals may become dependent on others for daily activities. This adds emotional trauma to the financial loss.
Thus, when the cost of a quality pair of safety goggles is compared with the physical, emotional, and financial burden caused by eye injuries, the value of preventive safety becomes undeniable.
Primary Causes of Eye Injuries in Industries
- Contact with sharp objects, machinery, or equipment
- Chemical splashes and exposure to hazardous substances
- Thermal burns
Safety Goggles for Ultimate Protection
The same study from the International Journal of Community Medicine and Public Health also reports that nearly “70% of accidents happen due to penetration of metal particles in the eyes, followed by chemical accidents of nearly 10%.” A few active organisations manufacturing industrial safety equipment, such as KARAM Safety, provide advanced safety solutions to reduce such incidents through different types of eye protection goggles.
· Welding Protection Goggles
These are specially designed safety goggles that protect the eyes from sparks, molten metal particles, radiant energy, and welding-related hazards. The welding safety goggles come with specialised IR lenses that help reduce welding glare and are robust enough to withstand even extreme temperatures. The wide-coverage welding protective goggles are best suited for arc welding, MIG, and TIG.
· Chemical Splash Goggles
Chemical splash goggles are an important category of eye protection equipment that help protect your eyes from hazardous chemicals and liquids, and can be used in the chemical, paint, and pharmaceutical industries. These goggles generally provide wider eye coverage, with a wraparound design.
Why Workers Feel Reluctant to Wear Safety Eye Protection Goggles
Despite knowing the consequences of not wearing safety goggles in the workplace, workers often don’t want to wear them. Some common reasons include:
- Discomfort
Safety goggles that do not meet comfort and ergonomic standards often discourage consistent use. Safety goggles that cause pain in the temples, itching, and a heavy feel on the face make workers reluctant to wear them.
- Fogging
Fog formation on the lenses results in blurred vision, leading to frequent removal of the protective goggles and hampering work.
- Misfit
Locally available safety goggles with a poor fit are the least liked by people. These often lack proper facial sealing and adjustable headbands, or may use poor-quality headbands that loosen during use.
- Unawareness
In some workplaces, insufficient awareness and training further contribute to low PPE compliance and unsafe work practices.
An Indian Industrial Safety Equipment Brand Driving PPE Adoption
KARAM Safety, the pioneer of industrial safety equipment, is driving change for industrial workers in hazardous conditions. Ergonomic challenges such as poor fit, discomfort, and fogging are addressed through the design of its safety eyewear range. Its quality and ergonomics are on par with international brands, as it is a licensed manufacturer of BLACK+DECKER and DEWALT safety products.
It is a globally recognised manufacturer of industrial safety equipment with products certified to national and international standards. KARAM Safety owns a fully vertically integrated unit that supports quality control and enables users to obtain genuine, certified, and tested products. To ensure quick, easy access to safety products in the fast-paced world, it has also launched its own e-commerce platform, KARAM Online, where you can get safety products delivered to your doorstep.
Bottom Line
In the end, it is important to understand the importance of eyes for everyone. Occupational ocular injuries constitute nearly 20% of cases of trauma and blindness, which are preventable with the help of wearing safety goggles. Employers have both moral and legal responsibilities to ensure workers are aware of workplace hazards and are equally responsible for providing a safe workplace and adequate industrial safety equipment to prevent mishaps. For employees, it is important to wisely choose eye protection that is tested and certified, and that provides complete comfort to the wearer, so that no one even accidentally suffers an eye injury at the workplace.
Read more on KulFiy