15 workers treated for eye injuries every month

A patient goes through free eye surgery.

Labourers are advised to be cautious while working at construction sites and hazardous areas, especially when it comes to the protection of their face and eyes.
As many as 15 workers are treated for serious eye injuries at Al Mafraq Hospital Abu Dhabi each month due to disregard of safety goggles. Hence, health and safety officials are urging workers to simply put safety first.
An official from Mafraq Hospital said the hospital receives several cases of workers with eye injuries, particularly those in the field of construction and carpentry.
The eye clinic at the hospital records 10 to 15 cases each month, and approximately 120 every year.
The damage to some of the patients' eyes are so severe that they end up losing their vision.
In fact, approximately two to three per cent of eye injury cases of workers received by the hospital, resulted in the loss of eyesight.
Such incidents, which often occur due to the lack of commitment to abide by the health and safety rules, can be avoided.
"There are clear laws relating to the protection factor of risks and accidents at work, including eye injuries," said the hospital official.
"These incidents may lead to permanent disability, such as loss of eyesight, which could therefore affect the life of the worker himself."
Common cases of eye injuries the hospital received, include screws or other materials entering the eye, as well as iron cutting, "which result in shattered eye injuries, and in most cases, the eyes will not be the same as they were before."
"In some cases, patients must undergo surgery and remove the infected eye."
Hardeep Chand Ram, a construction worker in Abu Dhabi, said he suffered from a serious eye injury, while working at a construction site.
"I had to be admitted to the emergency room after I was hit with the nail in my left eye."
He said that after going through his traumatic and painful experience, he came to realise that safety must come first.
"I will make sure that I will wear my protective glasses right before I begin my job."
Ram noted that he always makes sure he has his safety goggles on. However, on the day of the incident, he took them off only for a short while.
"I took off the goggles for a short while when my colleague asked for help and I went to assist him."
"That was when the screw hit my eye and I was injured," he added.
However, Ram's eyes have healed after a successful surgery, which required the sewing of his left eyelid.
Although Ram was fortunate that his injury did not leave him with the loss of vision, some workers are not so lucky.
It is thus advised that one must pay attention to his health and safety at all time, as the slightest carelessness can result in severe damages and injuries.
"Workers must adhere to the laws of safety and pay attention when it comes to protecting their eyes," said the hospital official.
"Always wear the safety goggles to avoid injuries. Wear them without any exception. They only cost around Dh4."
Maher Al Obed, Assistant Undersecretary of the Inspectional Affairs at the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation, told Khaleej Times: "Safety goggles are there for a reason, and that is to help protect the eyes."
"There are rules and regulations on what safety gear workers need to wear, especially those in the field of construction. Simple safety gear such as eye goggles can help workers in preventing serious injuries," noted Al Obed.
"We need to ensure that the workers put their safety first."
jasmine@khaleejtimes.com

• UAE