MSF: wearing and storage of eye protection

The Marine Safety Forum has published Safety Alert 21-05 relating to a recent incident involving safety equipment and its storage.

What happened

Someone engaged in grinding operations got something in his eye. But the foreign body he got in his eye was either already within the safety visor or flew up beneath the full-face protection and under his own glasses. He immediately stopped the job, washed out his eye, and reported to the Master. His eye was examined; no object was found, and he no longer had any eye pain or discomfort.

What went wrong

• At the time, he had been wearing a full-face visor, and his own prescription glasses. He made the natural assumption that his eyes would be fully protected. Unfortunately, this was not the case, the foreign object could have fallen into his eye from within the visor or flew up under his full-face protection;
• In Figure 1 goggles can be seen stored in an unsuitable position next to drilling and cutting machinery within the workshop, where there was a very good chance that particles could land within the protective gear, and therefore could fall into an operator’s eyes. 

This incident shows the importance of using the correct eye protection and of storing it correctly.

Actions/recommendations

• Eye protection PPE was relocated and enhanced by placing it in clear plastic bags to ensure it remains clean and free from foreign objects before use;
• Risk Assessments for use of Power Tools, Hot Work and Grinding were adjusted to state that “Goggles MUST be worn” as opposed to “Correct PPE should be used”.

Members may wish to refer to:

• Eye injury: Crewman got something in his eye when removing his PPE
• There’s something in my eye!
• Are YOU prepared to work safely? Protect your eyes short video