Tradies Health Awareness Month: The importance eye protection
August marks Tradies Health Awareness Month, and Specsavers is reminding tradies – both those on a job site and those who like to DIY at home – to protect their eyes.
Specsavers Optometrist Auson Wu explains:
We are reminding tradies of the importance of wearing protective eyewear when on the job site. Research commissioned by Specsavers found that 61% of tradespeople have subbed in sunglasses instead of protective eyewear while on the job which poses significant risks to their eye health.
While we encourage wearing sunglasses with UV protection when outside, they are not designed to shield your eyes from workplace hazards. Safety glasses provide essential protection against debris, dust, and chemical splashes, significantly reducing the risk of eye injuries.
Auson’s top tips for protecting your eyes on the worksite:
- Wear safety eyewear: Wearing safety eyewear can protect you from debris and small bits of metal, dust, dirt or grit from getting into the eye. Safety glasses can even be made to include your spectacle prescription.
- Wear full coverage sunglasses when working outside: Remember that you are not only protecting yourself from direct sunlight, but also from reflective glare from machinery, building or the sidewalk. Indirect light can also cause damage to your eyes.
- Get your eyes tested regularly: The best way to understand if your eyes are healthy and free from damage is to visit your local Optometrist. At Specsavers, we recommend that you get your eyes tested every two years, or every year if you’re over the age of 65.
Specsavers encourages tradies to take eye protection seriously and visit their local optometrist if they notice any changes in their vision.
For more information or to book an eye test visit a Territory Health Fund Premier Provider Optometrist or your preferred optometrist.