Keeping an Eye on UV Safety

An Eye on SafetyJuly is UV Safety Month and when you think of protecting yourself from UV rays what do you think of first? Most would probably say their skin. After all, it is our body’s largest organ, but what about your eyes?

When it comes to UV rays there are two types, UVA and UVB, and protection against both types are necessary not only for your skin, but for your eyes as well. Exposing your eyes to too much UV light increases your risk of developing cataract and/or cancer in your eye(s).

So what is a person to do in a work environment that has them outside working and the need for proper eye protection? Great news! There are several safety glasses options that allow for UV protection as well as safety protection so you get double the protection in one pair.

When choosing a pair of safety glasses it is important that they block both UV-A and UV-B rays by selecting a pair with anti-UV coating that will absorbs more than 99.9% of the sun’s harmful ultraviolet radiation.

Here are some other tips to help protect your eyes this summer season while working outdoors:

  • Use extra caution when near reflective surfaces, like water, snow, and sand
  • Use extra caution when at higher altitudes
  • Wear a wide-brimmed hat

Have some other eye safety tips you’d like to share? We’d love to hear from you, just post them in the comments below.

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