Alec Caldwell talks safety glasses

Most of us take our sight for granted. But in construction, nothing (short of working at heights without fall protection equipment) is a worse hazard to our wellbeing than going without safety eye wear.

Almost all power tools are liable to fire out projectiles that can penetrate our eyes. Dangerous chemicals are everywhere. It’s all part of the job, right? But although we all know that safety goggles are important, too many of us have not bothered with them for years – so why bother now?

Mark from Peterborough, Ontario can definitely tell you not to gamble with your sight. He was an avid cyclist, but can’t see enough to do that any more. He is heading toward complete blindness. So his biking buddies recently volunteered to do something special for him. They included him on a road (bike) climb in the French Alps. Each of his buddies took turns peddling with Mark on a tandem bike. This way he has stored up the memories of his final bike ride, after the darkness descends into his life.

Then there’s Randy, who lost all his sight in a car accident in a fraction of  a second. Then he lost his home. He used to do a lot of outdoor walking and he still tries, but he gets easily lost. He has tried to maintain his independence, but it’s really hard. “I have tried to imagine how I could stay as strong as him, if I suddenly lost my sight,” his sister says. “I’m not so sure I could do it.”

It’s estimated that more than 720,000 Canadians experience an eye injury requiring medical attention each year. Eye injuries can cause vision loss or even blindness and are one of the most frequently treated accidents in hospital emergency rooms.

Why gamble? Always wear (CSA approved) safety glasses while working.

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