Eye foreign-body removal as first aid or medical treatment

NOTICE: This is an OSHA Archive Document, and may no longer represent OSHA Policy. It is presented here as historical content, for research and review purposes only.

September 24, 1992

Ms. Linda Ballas
EMTS
[Recipient address omitted]
Dear Linda:

Thank you for your letter dated July 17 requesting an interpretation for recording eye injury cases on the OSHA Log 200. Please excuse our delay in responding.

Any form of removal of foreign bodies embedded in the eye is considered medical treatment for recordkeeping purposes, as is stated on page 43 of the Recordkeeping Guidelines for Occupational Injuries and Illnesses. This would include any technique to remove rust ring from the cornea. If the foreign body is not embedded, removal by means of irrigation or the use of a cotton swab are considered first aid. It came to our attention after the writing of the Guidelines that the use of a cotton swab is a means of removal as simple and effective as the use of irrigation. Any other means of removal must be considered medical treatment, e.g spuds, etc.

Question 1:

Is removal of a foreign body from the eyelid recordable if other than flushing is used? (i.e. moist cotton swab)

Answer:

Foreign bodies in the eyelid should be evaluated using the criteria associated with removal of "foreign bodies from wound" rather than from the eye. If the procedure for removal is complicated because of depth of embedment, size, or location, than it should be considered medical treatment. If the procedure is uncomplicated and done by simple means (e.g. irrigation, cotton swab, etc.) it should be considered first aid.

Question 2:

Is removal of a foreign body from the eye recordable if other than flushing is used? (i.e. moist cotton swab)

Answer:

If removal of a non-embedded foreign body from the eye is done by means other than irrigation or the use of a cotton swab, the case must be recorded.

Question 3:

What if the medical personnel believe the foreign body does not appear to be embedded and does not believe irrigation is required, and instead uses a moist cotton swab on the eye or eyelid? Is this medical treatment or first aid?

Answer:

If removal of a non-embedded foreign body from the eye is done by the means of irrigation or the use of a cotton swab, it should be considered first aid.

I hope you find this information useful. If you have any further questions, please contact my staff at Area Code (202) 523-1463.

Sincerely,
Stephen A. Newell
Acting Director
Office of Statistics