In Illinois, employees working with fiberglass may experience severe itching caused by shards invading their skin. Additionally, fiberglass dust can irritate an employee’s nasal passages, throat and eyes. Here are a few practical ways to eliminate irritating shards from the skin.
Do not scratch itchy skin. Instead, wipe the shards away with a soft, damp washcloth and soap. Use sticky tape to eliminate any remaining, visible particles.
Asthma and fiberglass exposure
Dust from man-made substances poses additional health risks related to workplace injuries. If you have asthma, you may experience breathing difficulties caused by inhaling fiberglass dust. Plus, your eyes may experience undesirable symptoms.
Removing fiberglass from your eyes
It is a good idea to wash your hands frequently when working with fiberglass. Otherwise, the dust on your hands can get into your eyes. If your eyes are irritated because of fiberglass exposure, rinse them with cool, running water for several minutes.
How to protect yourself from construction injuries caused by exposure to fiberglass dust:
– Wear gloves to protect your hands.
– Avoid wearing sandals.
– Use goggles to protect your eyes.
– Wear protective clothing.
– Do not rub your eyes, nose or mouth.
– Wash your hands prior to eating.
– Launder work clothes frequently.
– Work in a building with open windows whenever possible.
– Do not sweep fiberglass shards with a dry broom.
Do not ignore health issues resulting from fiberglass exposure
Injuries caused by exposure to harmful materials at work are common occurrences. Wearing protective clothing is the best strategy for preventing excessive exposure to harmful materials at work. Your employer should provide gloves, eye goggles and other protective gear to help prevent contamination from fiberglass material. Seek prompt medical attention if you are experiencing severe, unrelenting symptoms.