November 4, 1997

TO: Safety Committee Chairs

FROM: Robin Elliott

In a recent Newsletter I received from "Prevent Blindness America," I read several testimonials to the importance of safety glasses.

The first testimonial was that of a carpenter who used eye protection on the job but received a serious injury off the job when he was not protected. Allen Colgan of Columbus, Ohio was hit in the eye by a ricocheting pellet from his friend's gun while hunting. The injury partially detached his retina greatly reducing the sight in his one eye. He had previously lost most of the sight in his other eye from ambylopia as a youngster. Allen states the injury was preventable by wearing safety glasses and wishes he had worn them. He is no longer able to work as a carpenter.

David Li of Riverside, Illinois, was struck in the face when a 20 lb. valve became unseated while pressure testing a unit at work. He was wearing his safety glasses and only sustained a laceration above his eyebrow. He credits the glasses for preventing a serious eye injury.

Pat Colburn of Oshkoch, Wisconsin, was struck in the face by a piece of a disc when it broke while he was deburring a drive pedestal using the driving disc. He only sustained a bruised nose when his face shield cracked. The impact also scratched his safety glasses under his face shield. Had he not been wearing both the shield and the safety glasses he may have seriously injured his eyes and face.

I have received reports from many safety committee members of their concerns about fellow workers not wearing eye protection. I have observed this myself oftentimes while walking through various departments. We have purchased another eye safety video from J.J. Keller "Eye Safety" which features a moving dramatization and interviews of medical personnel. Consider showing this in your department to support our campaign.

The Department of Environmental Health & Safety has been working to increase eye safety awareness for some time and will continue in this effort with a new campaign of rewarding those who are "caught" wearing their eye protection. Department of Environmental Health & Safety staff will be armed with University of Delaware colored "Chums" bearing a safety logo to present to individuals wearing their eye protection on-the-job. This initiative is effective immediately! Keep an eye out for us!

cc: David E. Hollowell