Any worker who handles hazardous chemicals should know how to administer first aid for chemical splashes in the eye. While the eyelids instinctually close when they encounter a foreign object, traces of the chemical can still enter the eye. Even minuscule drops can cause serious irritation and burns.
Learn the safety protocols workers should follow after industrial chemical eye exposure. For assistance with workplace injury management in Wichita, KS, call WorkSafe today.
What To Do Immediately After Chemical Eye Exposure
The eye membranes absorb chemicals faster than almost any other part of the body. Eyes are also more fragile than the skin, making chemical exposure to the eye very dangerous.
When a worker accidentally splashes a chemical in their eye, they don’t have time to research what steps to take in what order. All workers should know to follow these general protocols immediately after exposure, especially if they do not know the protocols for that specific type of chemical:
- Go to the eyewash station immediately: Workers shouldn’t take the time to debate whether a chemical made it into their eye. It’s always best to treat the incident as if there was exposure and go to the eyewash station. The faster a worker can flush their eye, the less damage the chemical can cause.
- Flush the eye for at least 15 minutes: 15 minutes may feel like an eternity, but many standards recommend flushing for at least this much time to reduce eye injuries caused by chemical exposure.
- When in doubt, seek medical care: It is a good rule of thumb to seek medical care after flushing the eye, even if the pain has subsided. If medical intervention is necessary, prompt attention can reduce the impact of the exposure.
Workers should always know where the closest eyewash station is and how to operate it. If there is no eyewash station nearby, workers should go to the closest source of clean water, such as a drinking fountain, sink, safety shower, or even bottled water.
The most dangerous chemicals for eyes are highly corrosive acids or alkalis. When handling these chemicals, workers should take the utmost precautions to prevent exposure and should not hesitate to trigger first aid for chemical splashes in the eye.
Proper Procedures for Flushing the Eye at an Eyewash Station
Eye safety for workers involves knowing the right way to flush their eyes at an eyewash station. Simply holding their eye under the water may not be enough to effectively flush the chemicals. Instead, they should follow this technique:
- Hold the eyelids open with clean hands. The eyelids will not naturally want to stay open under running water, so the worker should use their fingers to hold them open.
- Allow water to flow freely over the surface of the eye. It will feel uncomfortable to expose the eye to water like this, and it may feel painful due to the chemical exposure, but the worker should generally continue flushing.
- Rotate the eye. Rotating the eye up, down, and side to side ensures that the water reaches all areas that may have been exposed to the chemical.
- Use room-temperature water. Eyewash stations are generally set to the right temperature, but if the worker is using a normal sink to flush the eye, ensure that the water is room temperature to prevent additional irritation.
If the worker was wearing contact lenses when the chemical eye injury happened, they can attempt to gently slide them out during the flushing process. The worker should not prioritize removing the contacts over immediately flushing the eye. However, contacts can trap chemicals against the cornea, so removing them can be very helpful if possible.
Preventing Chemical Eye Injuries in Your Workplace
Proper training, personal protective equipment, and safety procedures should mitigate the risk of chemical eye injuries. For example, all workers should be trained in how to properly handle chemicals to prevent splashing. They should also wear protective eyewear when handling chemicals. These might include:
- Chemical splash goggles
- Oversized goggles that safely fit over prescription glasses, when necessary
- Face shields for highly pressurized or severely caustic chemicals
Having Safety Data Sheets on hand for chemicals is also important to understand the exact chemical exposure response that should be followed.
Mitigate Chemical Exposure Hazards With WorkSafe
One of the first aid skills every employee should master is how to flush the eyes when they are exposed to chemicals. WorkSafe helps employers like you mitigate occupational hazards. Whether you have questions about first aid for chemical splashes in the eye or need help identifying less obvious hazards in your workplace, call (316) 262-8800 for assistance.