25 year old Country landscape gardener, who has lost the sight in his right eye after a horrific accident at work, is urging employers to highlight the importance of wearing safety goggles to staff.

Ashley Brabbin from Pelsall in Walsall was hit in the eye by a flying metal object, whilst he was cutting a grass verge, using a ride-on mower. Mr Brabbin, who was employed at the time by Glendale Managed Services Ltd, had been mowing the four-foot-high hedge at Wyrley Birch Allotments in Erdington, in October 2009, when the accident happened.  Though he had visually checked the area for debris before starting the work as he started mowing, he glanced back to check that the grass was cutting properly and was hit in the eye by a flying metal object.  

Permanent Loss of Sight As A Result Of Eye Damage

He was rushed to Good Hope Hospital and was later transferred to the Midlands Eye Hospital but, despite several attempts by doctors to repair the damage to his eye, he has now been left with permanent loss of sight.  At this stage we cannot rule out the possibility that Ashley may lose the eye completely and, as a result, need a prosthetic. We also cannot say at this stage if there is likely to be any impairment to the sight in his left eye in the long term. Mr Brabbin commented: “As a result of what happened, I now have to learn to live with the fact that I will never be able to see out of my right eye. I am trying to stay positive even though currently my future is uncertain.

Why should we be concerned with Eye Safety?
10% to 20% of eye injuries result in temporary or permanent vision loss.
Three out of five people who receive sustainable eye injuries were not wearing eye protection.

What are some causes of eye injuries?
Flying objects
Contact with Chemicals
Misuse of tools: improper guards, poor maintenance, poor safety habits

For optimal protection we Must always use the appropriate eyewear for the job

Tips to protect your eyes

• Wear goggles or a face shield around flying chips or particles, electrical arcing or sparks, chemical gases or vapors, harmful light liquid chemicals, acids, or caustics, molten metal, dusts, or swinging objects like ropes or chains.
• Turn containers away from the face when opening 
• Remove protective eye wear only after turning off the tool
• Outdated or scratched prescription lenses can distort vision
• Replace cracked, pitted or damaged goggles or glasses
• Concentrate on task at hand when using power tools
• Stop and relax the eyes if they are becoming strained
• Be certain that protective eye wear is approved for the hazardous environment you are in
• Keep sharp or pointed objects away from the face and eyes

Safety Glasses WORK!! SO USE THEM!

These glasses saved the vision of a laboratory worker.  He was using a small amount of an unstable chemical.  The flask containing the chemical exploded. His eyes were without injury.