Accidents occur frequently on construction sites and during renovation projects. Eye injuries are some of the most common and life-altering injuries that may occur due to accidents and mishaps.
Whether you are a construction worker, home renovator, or have just started a DIY renovation project, you must protect your eyes. In this article, we will cover common hazards, give first aid tips, and give you prevention advice.
⚠️ If you have an eye injury from renovation or construction or a foreign body in your eye, scroll directly to the FIRST AID TIPS by clicking the underlined link.
Understanding Eye Hazards in Construction and Renovation
Every year, thousands of workers face eye hazards. Here are some statistics about eye accidents and construction mishaps:
A study published in the Applied Occupational and Environmental Hygiene journal found that approximately 20% of occupational eye injuries occur in the construction industry.
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) estimates that proper safety measures could have prevented nearly 80% of eye injuries in the workplace.
A 2012 Virginia Department of Energy publication indicates that about 70% of eye injuries are caused by flying debris or falling objects, sparks, and small objects striking the eye.
Construction sites and renovation projects present numerous risks to an individual’s vision. Eye injuries often stem from these common hazards:
Flying Debris and Foreign Objects
Flying debris is the most common cause of eye injuries on construction sites, accounting for approximately 30% of all eye injuries (according to the studies mentioned above). When tools or materials are dropped or mishandled, they can become projectiles. For instance, a piece of metal shavings from a grinding machine can injure an unprotected eye.
Dust and Particulate Matter
Renovation tasks like sanding, demolition, and drilling create a lot of dust. In fact, during a typical renovation, workers can be exposed to levels of dust up to 5x higher than recommended safety levels. This dust can irritate the eyes and, if left unchecked, may lead to long-term vision issues.
Chemical Exposure
Many renovation materials contain harmful chemicals that can inflict serious harm. The most dangerous are the chemical splashes from products such as paint thinners and adhesives. The Electronic Library of Construction Occupational Safety and Health (eLCOSH) reports contact with chemicals accounts for about 20% of eye injuries in the workplace. Chemical burns can manifest rapidly and require immediate professional assessment.
Thermal Exposure
Exposure to heat sources on construction sites may cause severe eye problems. Burns from sparks and molten metal are also serious injuries. Metal sparks, for instance, can reach 1,800°F (980°C), instantly burning the cornea or eyelids. At the same time, exposure to molten slag can cause permanent scarring.
Light Exposure
Welding, cutting, and high-temperature machinery can generate intense light and radiation. Ultraviolet (UV) and infrared radiation (IR) from welding are extremely dangerous if the worker doesn't wear proper protection. Studies show that welders without protective gear are three times more likely to lose temporary vision.
Allergic Reactions
Construction and renovation workers and DIY enthusiasts may get allergic reactions to materials. People tend to have most eye allergies to wood dust or latex paints.
First Aid for Eye Injuries in Construction and Renovation
Construction and renovation site hazards like flying debris, chemicals, and intense light exposure pose real risks to eye health. Recognizing eye injuries and knowing the appropriate first aid response can prevent long-term damage and ensure quick recovery.
1. Corneal Abrasions (Eye Scratches)
Corneal abrasion happens when the eye surface is scratched by dust, debris, or tools. For instance, hitting the eye with a small tool can easily cause this injury. People with corneal scratches report severe pain, a gritty sensation, and redness.
First Aid for Corneal Abrasions
Don't Rub the Eye
Flush with Clean Water or Saline
Apply a Cool Compress
Seek Urgent Medical Care (if irritation persists)
Rubbing can make the scratch worse. Rinse the eye gently to remove any particles instead. Be careful not to push dust or foreign objects deeper into the eye or under the lids. After rinsing, a cold compress can alleviate pain and eye swelling.
If pain persists, an eye specialist should assess the injury. Head to the nearest ER.
2. Dust & Tiny Debris in the Eye
Getting sawdust and other airborne particles in the eye can cause temporary irritation. It comes with intense tearing and redness symptoms. Over time, without prompt action, this can lead to severe eye problems.
First Aid for Dust and Small Debris in the Eye
Flush the Eyes with Clean Water
Blink Repeatedly
Drop Artificial Tears in Your Eyes
Visit an Eye Doctor (if symptoms persist)
Rinse the eyes under a flow of clean water for 5-10 minutes to remove dust and debris. Blink repeatedly to dislodge the small particles naturally. If you have artificial tears in your emergency kit, use them. Moisturizing eye drops can calm irritated eyes.
In most cases, rinsing the eyes is enough to solve the issue. However, if you still feel grittiness or the redness doesn't go away in a few hours, visit an ophthalmologist for further evaluation. You may have a scratched or infected cornea or eyelids.
3. Foreign Objects in the Eye & Eye Punctures (Large Debris)
Larger particles like wood chips, metal shavings, or concrete debris can easily enter the eye, causing irritation, pain, and corneal scratches. Sharp objects, such as glass shards or nails, can cause quite severe eye injuries, including deep eye trauma.
First Aid for Foreign Objects in the Eye
Don't Rub the Eye
Flush with Clean Water or Saline
Check with a Mirror or Ask for Help to Locate the Object
Don't Attempt to Remove the Object
Seek Urgent Medical Care when:
The object is embedded in the eye or doesn't come out when flushing
There is persistent pain, blurred vision, or excessive tearing after removal
The eye appears cut or punctured (do NOT apply pressure; cover the eye lightly and get emergency care)
Rubbing can push the object deeper into the eye, eyelids, or surrounding facial structures. Use an eye wash station, clean running water, or saline to rinse the eye from smaller particles.
Try to locate the object without pressing on the eye but don't attempt self-removal!
Attempting to remove objects manually with tweezers or cotton swabs can worsen the injury. Emergency medical staff knows how to remove the object and do the needed sutures to close a potential wound, avoid complications, and attempt to preserve your vision (in cases with eye punctures).
4. Chemical Burns
Chemical exposure urges emergency. For example, if harsh chemicals, cleaning solvents, or cement get into the eye. Chemical burns occur almost instantly from chemical exposure. In such cases, the person feels intense pain and redness, and may even experience vision loss. Such a construction accident urges professional intervention, as some burns may result in permanent blindness.
First Aid for Chemical Burn in the Eye
Flush the Eye Immediately
Remove Contact Lenses (if you are wearing any)
Seek Urgent Medical Care
Rinse the eye continuously with clean water or saline for at least 15 minutes to dilute the chemical. If physically possible, proceed with rinsing even on the way to the emergency room. For example, in the car, you use a bucket and bottles filled with clean water.
If applicable, remove any contact lenses with clean hands as soon as possible to prevent further absorption of chemicals. Contact lenses can trap part of the chemicals underneath them and worsen your condition even after persistent flushing.
Even if symptoms improve after rinsing, a medical evaluation is necessary.
5. Eye Infections
Bacteria, viruses, or poor hygiene on job sites are also potential troublemakers in eye health. Eye infections like conjunctivitis (pink eye) and keratitis (corneal infections) may be causing redness, itching, and discharge. It can spread quickly among workers if proper precautions are not taken.
First Aid for Eye Infections on Construction/Renovation Sites
Eye infections typically don't require urgent medical care or first aid, but neet to be taken seriously. As long as you wash your hands frequently, wear gloves, and eye protection, you can prevent infection from spreading to the other eye or your coworkers. Don't touch or rub your eyes either.
If the eye infection affects the quality of your work, a doctor may recommend antibiotics or antiviral eye drops. The best thing you can do if you have pink eye or other infections is to take a few days off to heal, not only because of the discomfort but because it is contagious on contact.
6. Allergic Reactions
Construction dust, insulation materials, and chemical fumes can trigger symptoms of allergies in the eyes. The reactions can be mild or severe. Symptoms show as eye redness, excessive tearing, and swelling in mild cases. For severe allergies, signs are impaired or obstructed vision; difficulty breathing (anaphylaxis), wheezing; rapid swelling around the eyes, lips, or throat; hives; dizziness or fainting; nausea or vomiting.
Using goggles can minimize exposure to airborne allergens.
First Aid for Mild Allergic Reactions
Flush Eyes with Clean Water or Saline
Use Antihistamine Eye Drops/Tablets
Avoid Rubbing the Eyes
Seek Medical Care
Flushing the eyes helps remove allergens and provides instant relief for mild allergies. Antihistamine medication can calm the reaction and reduce eye itching and swelling.
First Aid for Extreme Allergic Reactions/Anaphylaxis Shock
Eye tearing and irritation can often be the first symptom when experiencing a systemic allergic reaction. People with more severe allergy symptoms like trouble breathing and rashes should follow these steps:
Notify others that they do not feel well
Use an Epinephrine Auto-injector - EpiPen (if available and prescribed)
Call Emergency Services
Apply a Cold Compress While Waiting for Medical Help
7. Damage from Intense Light (Welder’s Flash)
Welding without proper eye protection also exposes workers to intense ultraviolet (UV) radiation, leading to photokeratitis, also known as welder’s flash. Photokeratitis damages the cornea and retina, causing blurry vision, pain, excessive tearing, and light sensitivity.
Welder’s Flash symptoms often appear hours after exposure.
First Aid for Retinal Damage from Intense Light
There's not much you can do as first aid after getting photokeratitis.
What you can do, though, is shield the eyes from further exposure to harsh lighting.
Corneal damage can worsen over time and requires urgent evaluation by a medical professional. So if you suspect you got the welder's flash, make an urgent visit to an ophthalmologist.
8. Thermal Eye Injuries (Welding Sparks Burns)
Welding, crucial in many building and renovation processes, can be a construction eye hazard. During welding, hot metal sparks and molten slag can enter the eye, causing serious burns to the eyelid, cornea, or conjunctiva. Unlike welder’s flash, this eye injury results from direct contact with hot debris, leading to pain, swelling, and potential tissue damage.
First Aid for Eye Thermal Burns
Don't Touch or Rub the Eye
Cool the Area
Seek Urgent Medical Care
Touching the eye can worsen the burn. Thermal burns to the eye can lead to scarring, vision loss, or infection and should be assessed by a specialist as soon as possible.
While waiting for the ambulance or traveling to the emergency room, apply a clean, damp cloth over the closed eye for comfort.
Prevention of Eye Injuries in Construction
While not all accidents can be avoided, proactive measures lower the risk of eye injuries during renovation and construction work:
Wear Proper Protection & Use Appropriate Tools
Utilize safety goggles or face shields whenever working in environments with eye hazards. In addition, select tools designed to minimize dust and debris. For instance, using saws equipped with dust extraction can reduce particle dispersion.
According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, wearing appropriate eye protection reduces the risk of construction-related injuries by 90%.
Maintain a Clean Workspace
Cleaning work areas regularly reduces dust and hazards. This ensures that tools and other materials are safely stored and organized.
Implement Safety Training
Conduct regular safety training sessions regarding materials and tools. This prepares workers to recognize and respond to hazards effectively.
Encourage Eye Safety Awareness
Cultivating a culture of eye safety reinforces the importance of protective measures. Simple reminders, such as posters, can keep eye safety at the forefront of workers’ minds.
Importance of Eye Safety in the Workplace
Eye problems stemming from construction and renovation projects can have long-lasting effects on vision. Joining the fight against eye injuries starts with understanding hazards, recognizing potential injuries, and knowing effective first-aid responses. Active education about eye safety can create a more secure workplace, allowing individuals to preserve their sight and well-being.
✅ Medically reviewed
Checked by Atanas Bogoev, MD.