You need your vision to perform your job duties in Minnesota, but ironically, the nature of those job duties could cost you your vision. At the Law Office of Joshua Borken, we understand the role employers have in making sure workers are not needlessly put at risk for devastating injuries that could cause blindness.
According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, there are over 20,000 people who suffer eye injuries on the job every year in the U.S. Maybe you are at risk for eye strain from the glare on your computer screen. Perhaps there are flying objects or tools that may strike you in the eye. Chemicals or particles in the air could also cause eye damage.
Your employer should already have evaluated the safety of the workplace and eliminated every hazard possible. However, some jobs have inherent dangers that cannot be completely neutralized. If this describes your job site, then your employer should provide personal protective eyewear to ensure that your vision is not damaged. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has developed standards for PPE based on the type of hazard it is intended to protect against.
An injury to the eye or eyelid should receive immediate medical attention, either at the nearest emergency room or from an ophthalmologist. High risk situations include:
- Pain or problems with vision
- Blood in the eye
- A bulging eye
- An eye that does not move well
- An object in the eye
- Abnormal pupil shape or size
More information about what to do in the event of an eye injury at work is available on our webpage.
