THE ACCIDENT: A design/build crewmem-
ber is installing a retaining wall on a residential
property. He sets up a guide string on the corner
of the block wall to lay a course of blocks. He
bends over to reach for something on the work
surface, and his face scrapes the pin projection,
which is attached to the string and metal pin.
The pin pops out and strikes his left eye. He is
hospitalized for a serious eye injury.
THE BOTTOM LINE: Eye injuries can hap-
pen on any type of project. If the crewmember
had been wearing the right personal protective
equipment (PPE), this accident might have been
prevented. About 60 percent of workers with eye
injuries were not wearing eye-protection equip-
ment, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.
Not only are thousands of people blinded
each year from work-related eye injuries, these
accidents cost more than $300 million a year
in lost production time, medical expenses and
worker compensation, according to OSHA.
For jobs where objects, equipment or chemi-
cals pose a hazard, here are eye-protection
safety tips to follow.
s The protective eyewear should be reasonably
comfortable and fi t snugly.
s Employees who use corrective lenses must
wear goggles that can be worn on top of
their glasses or use goggles that provide opti-
cal correction.
s Keep eye-protection equipment clean and in
good repair.
s Before starting a project, perform a hazard as-
sessment to identify and control physical and
health hazards. Look for hazards such as harm-
ful dust, objects that could swing into the face
(ex. tree limbs, chains, tools, etc.) or chemicals.
s Employers should provide employees with the
proper safety training and PPE based on the
jobsite assessment.
s Periodically review, update and evaluate the
effectiveness of the PPE program.
For more Safety Watch articles, visit
totallandscapecare.com/safetywatch.
J U LY 2 014 To t a l L a n d s c a p e C a r e . c o m 11
Hardscape
Hazard
BY LAUREN HEARTSILL DOWDLE
Eye injury strikes during retaining wall project
ILLUSTRATION BY DON LOMAX
