Chemical splash in the eyes

A splash of concentrated sulphuric acid - say from a car battery - on your clothing can dissolve the fabric in a matter of seconds and cause a painful burn on the skin beneath. What if that acid were splashed in your eyes? The likely result is blindness, disfigurement and pain for the rest of your life. And it's not just concentrated acids or alkalis that are a hazard - many chemicals have the potential to cause severe eye damage.

So what can you do to avoid eye damage if you work with chemicals? For a start, wear proper safety goggles or a face shield. Employers - it's your responsibility to provide this protective equipment. Workplaces should have an emergency eyewash station. This is a special face shower that's activated when the forehead is pressed against a bar.

What to do if anyone suffers a chemical splash in the eye. Lay the person on the floor and pour COLD WATER gently into the eyes while holding the eyelids open. Use water from a tap, hose, shower, bottle, teapot or whatever's at hand. Continue for 15 minutes, even if the person is screaming in panic. If you act FAST, you could well save that person's eyesight.