Prevent Blindness America and Uvex Launch Innovative Eye2Eye Safety Program to Improve Workplace Eye Protection
CHICAGO and SMITHFIELD, R.I.
2011-10-18
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Prevent Blindness America,
the nation’s leading eye health and safety organization, and Uvex®,
the leading safety eyewear brand of Honeywell Safety Products,
today announced they have launched the Eye2Eye
initiative, which aims to improve eye safety in the workplace and reduce
the more than 800,000 work-related eye injuries that occur every year.
More than 90 percent of workplace eye injuries are preventable
through the use of proper eye protection and it’s estimated that eye injuries
cost companies $934 million annually. Eye2Eye
is a Web-based educational resource that trains employees to communicate the
importance of eye health and safety to each other, increases eye safety
compliance and builds a stronger culture of safety in the workplace.
Research
supporting the Eye2Eye program began in 2009, when Uvex and Prevent Blindness
America conducted a survey among 200 safety directors throughout the United States and Canada.
Information was compiled regarding best practices in workplace safety and
education programs. The results were used to develop Eye2Eye, which features a
peer-based, interactive curriculum and community-oriented forum enabling
end-users to share their learnings and best practices with each other.
Upon
completion of the multimedia training program, employee representatives become
certified Eye2Eye Safety Ambassadors, a vital role designed to bridge the gap
between safety managers and employees. Safety Ambassadors gain access to the
program’s online training modules and also receive product samples and
promotional prizes provided by Uvex.
“Since
1948, Prevent Blindness America has helped to educate workers on the importance
of protecting vision through proper eye protection,” said Hugh Parry, president
and CEO of Prevent Blindness America. “We are proud to partner with Uvex to
offer the Eye2Eye program and help companies with their efforts to prevent
workplace eye injuries.”
“Eye2Eye is a breakthrough approach to improving workplace safety,” said
JoAnne Goldman, Uvex brand manager for Honeywell
Safety Products. “Based on years of research and input directly from the
field, we have created a unique, peer-to-peer learning and information platform
to encourage optimum eye safety practices among safety directors and employees.
We believe that the widespread adoption of Eye2Eye will result in a dramatic
decrease in workplace eye injuries and an improved culture of safety across
industries.”
A
one-year, $250 membership for Eye2Eye includes online access for up to five
employees. More employees may be added at an additional cost.
To
sign up for the Eye2Eye workplace eye safety program, please visit Eye2EyeProgram.com or call Prevent
Blindness America at (800) 331-2020.
About
Prevent Blindness America
Founded in 1908, Prevent Blindness America is the nation's leading
volunteer eye health and safety organization dedicated to fighting blindness
and saving sight. Focused on promoting a continuum of vision care, Prevent
Blindness America touches the lives of millions of people each year through
public and professional education, advocacy, certified vision screening and
training, community and patient service programs and research. These
services are made possible through the generous support of the American
public. Together with a network of affiliates, divisions and chapters,
Prevent Blindness America is committed to eliminating preventable blindness in America. For more information, or to make a
contribution to the sight-saving fund, call 1-800-331-2020. Or, visit us on the
Web at preventblindness.org or facebook.com/preventblindness.
About Uvex
Uvex is the world’s
top-selling protective eyewear brand. Through high-performing products and
innovative services, Uvex is the brand that inspires people to heighten
awareness, increase productivity and foster a culture of safety in the
workplace. For more than 60 years, Uvex has delivered the most advanced
coatings, styles and materials to protect workers in every industry. Its
commitment to rigorous testing and extensive research and development ensures
that every Uvex style meets or exceeds industry safety standards while
delivering unparalleled comfort. The brand’s unique service offerings enable
safety managers to access Uvex expertise, educational tools, programs and
references to build and sustain best-in-class safety platforms. Uvex brand
safety eyewear is offered for sale by Honeywell Safety Products exclusively in
the Americas. For more information please visit www.uvex.us or become a fan of
Uvex at www.facebook.com/UvexByHoneywell.
About Honeywell
Honeywell
International (www.honeywell.com) is a Fortune 100 diversified technology and
manufacturing leader, serving customers worldwide with aerospace products and
services; control technologies for buildings, homes and industry; automotive
products; turbochargers; and specialty materials. Based in Morris Township,
N.J., Honeywell’s shares are traded on the New York, London, and Chicago Stock
Exchanges. For more news and information on Honeywell, please visit www.honeywellnow.com.
Contact: Sarah Hecker
Prevent Blindness America
Phone: (312) 363-6035
E-mail: shecker@preventblindness.org
Contact: Holly Wolfe
Uvex / Honeywell Safety Products
Phone: (603) 781-5430
E-mail: holly@hollywolfepr.com