Posted By Shane Johnston If an employee gets something in his eye do you send them to hospital regardless of how they feel ? My previous employer operated this policy, however my curent employer doesn't. Recently (last week) and employee got something in his eye in an engineering workshop. He was seen by a first aider but said that he was OK. Next day his eye became sore and he went to hospital. He has now lost almost all vison in the eye and requires an operation (but this is being delayed due to a eye infection). Doctors are not sure if his eye sight will return. Can't help wondering if we should adopt a policy where all eye incidents require a hospital visit. What do you do ? Shane

Posted By Ken Taylor The current first aid manual states that 'if the foreign body is sticking to or embedded in the eye, cover the affected eye with an eye pad and a bandage, then take or send the casualty to hospital'. Appointed first aiders should be following this practice.

Posted By Jim Walker Shane, Can't you see from the incident last week the obvious answer. You have a man who might loose his sight and you are still "thinking" about what to do! Your post serves a very good purpose though, anyone else out there dithering should now know the course of action to take.

Posted By Jim Walker Jack, In most cases I would agree with you entirely, regarding blanket rules. In the case of eye injuries, there is just too much at stake. First Aiders (and I've been one for 35 years) are not qualified to make these desisions. Whenever I've sent eye injuries to hospital, no matter how trivial the Doctor has alway perscribed antibiotic eye drops (just in case). This makes me suspect the even well qualified medics don't trust their judgement Anyway what happens to the poor old First aider if they make the wrong call? Personally (as a First Aider), I would be less worried about my liability (Acts & ommissions) and more concerned about my conscience.

Posted By Chris Abbott I tend to take the rule that - Eye Injury = HOSPITAL! Obviously it's a decision based on the "type" of accident - but if you use your eye-wash solution or other appropriate treatment, and there is still discomfort then - Hospital. Nuf said, Chris

Posted By Geoff Burt Interesting. I started off thinking that it depends on what the object is, is it still in, let the first aider decide the severity. Having read the responses I've gone over to agreeing all accidents of this type should be an A&E case. Wouldn't it be a little dangerous to argue that the general run of the mill first aider is competent to decide something like this.

Posted By Geoff Burt No probably not.

Posted By Jason Gould Chemicals and such usually come with their own reccomendations on how to deal with contact with eyes. Rinse with copius ammounts of water for 15 minutes and if irritation continues seek medical attention immediatly. Its funny cos I think (and only think) that any chemical with severe burn risk always states to seek medical attention. (not positive on that). I would err of the side of safety by sending employees to hospital for any such contact that may have a resulting abbrasion etc. But remember a disgrunted workforce all claiming general dust has blown in their eyes especially so on a windy day. Have a stringent policy and always play the safer option. If it hasn't been blown in then it has been forced in, and that force could have done the damage whether the foreign body is there or not. And always still consider the wind as we all know this can happen and have damage.

Posted By Shane Johnston Investigation has established that after getting the object in his eye, his reaction was to rub the eye which could have resulted in abrasions to his cornea. So even if an object just falls into the eye, and a first aider can wash it out, you can't be sure the surface of the eye is not damaged. The small abrasions increase the risk of an eye infection, and we believe this is the cause of the loss of vision (esp.as vision was lost two days after the incident). Having looked at the number of reported eye incidents over the past year, I have calculated that a two hour absence to attend hospital would cost us about £10k in lost production. Certainly reasonable for our organisation to prevent a this happening again. Shane.

Posted By Ken Taylor Geoff, I have given the St. John/ Red Cross First-aid Manual text in my response above.

Posted By Karen Todd People can still get stuff in their eyes wearing PPE. I know of someone who got plastic swarf in their eye when it went up under their safety glasses. They were turning it on a lathe at the time. Also know of another chap wearing goggles and he got a spark in his eye from an angle grinder - they do sometimes get in through the little ventilation holes at the side of the goggles. Regards, Karen