Medical Safety Glasses

For many companies and individuals, the proper safety equipment can make the difference between a small incident and a severe disaster. It’s essential for businesses in healthcare to protect their employees from harm, through the use of medical safety glasses.

Medical safety glasses protect the eyes from liquids, shrapnel, and caustic substances. Many biomedical facilities work with dangerous substances, which can be a biohazard to the person handling them. For phlebotomists completing a patient’s bloodwork, a single drop of blood splashed into the eye can cause an HIV infection, pneumonia, and many other dangerous diseases.

There are several important things to look for when buying medical safety glasses. High quality medical safety glasses will provide wrap-around protection for the eyes, preventing aerosolized liquids or sprays from coming in contact with the eye. Safety glasses should provide an air-tight seal between the rim of the glasses and the skin.

Medical eye-ware should also provide protection from caustic substances. Many of the chemicals used in biomedical lab work can burn the skin or other membranes, and can cause temporary or permanent blindness. Accidents can happen in any laboratory: it’s essential to provide proper protection for employees. The safety glass lens and rim should be made from PVC, polypropylene, or another substance that is resistant to corrosion.

Medical safety glasses are also necessary to comply with Occupation and Safey Hazard Administration (OSHA) guidelines. OSHA provides a set of rules and regulations designed to protect employees from environmental hazards found in the workplace. Failure to comply with OSHA requirements can result in fines, higher taxes, and denial of a business license for a work-site.

While many people take their vision for granted, sight is one of the most valuable senses people have. It’s essential to use proper safety techniques in healthcare settings, through the use of safety glasses.