Eye injuries happen in a moment but can affect your sight, your ability to drive and your career for life. Most are preventable with the right protection and safe systems of work.
What causes eye injuries at work?
Flying fragments, dust and swarf from grinding, cutting, drilling and hammering; chemical splashes from cleaning products, acids and alkalis; arc eye (welder's flash) from ultraviolet light during welding; hot metal and sparks; and blunt impacts from tools, materials or falling objects.
What must my employer do?
Under the Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992, where a risk to the eyes cannot be controlled in other ways, employers must provide suitable eye or face protection free of charge, make sure it fits and is maintained, train workers in its use and take reasonable steps to make sure it is worn. Since April 2022, these duties also cover limb (b) workers, not just employees.
Protection is the last line of defence. Employers should first control the hazard at source, for example with machine guards, screens around welding bays and extraction. Where chemicals are used, the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 require a risk assessment, safer handling methods and, where appropriate, emergency eyewash facilities.
What if I was not wearing safety glasses?
If protection was never provided, that is a straightforward breach. If it was provided but you were not wearing it, the court will consider why: whether it was suitable, whether wearing it was enforced and whether you were trained. Your compensation may be reduced for contributory negligence, but the claim is not usually defeated. See what if the accident was partly my fault?.
What should I do after an eye injury?
Get urgent medical attention, ideally at an eye casualty department. For chemical splashes, rinse the eye immediately with clean water for at least 15 minutes. Report the accident in writing, keep the damaged equipment or PPE if possible, and note witnesses.
How is an eye injury claim valued?
General damages depend on the severity and permanence of the injury, from minor injuries that heal in weeks to permanent loss of vision in one or both eyes, and are assessed using the Judicial College Guidelines. Financial losses are added, including lost earnings, treatment, travel and, where your sight is permanently affected, the effect on your future career and ability to drive. See compensation amounts and future loss of earnings claims.
For chemical injuries, see also chemical exposure at work.
Sources
Browse every plain-English guide in the work accident guides hub, or read the main guide to how a claim works.
This guide is for general information only and does not constitute legal advice. Every claim turns on its own facts. For advice about your specific situation, speak to a regulated solicitor.