A solar eclipse occurs when the moon blocks any part of the sun. On Monday, August 21, a solar eclipse will be visible across all of North America, and a portion of Oregon will be directly in the path of totality. Several members have asked about additional exposures during the eclipse.
Provided by SAIF:
On August 21, 2017, Oregon will experience the first solar eclipse in 38 years. But distractions cause accidents every day of the year. Be safe. Pay attention to your surroundings. And stay tuned to news outlets for important information about the eclipse.
To learn more, go to saif.com/eclipse.
Get more tips for working safely in the sun.
- How to View the 2017 Solar Eclipse Safely
- How to View the 2017 Solar Eclipse Safely (Spanish)
How Do I Keep Workers Safe During the Eclipse?
Information provided by the Occupational Safety Group.
Because it is an exciting and stunning natural phenomenon, it’s an understandable reaction to want to witness the splendor of a total eclipse. However, any employee that looks directly at the eclipse with their naked eye risks eye damage and blindness. Take reasonable precautions to protect employees by circulating a written memo that outlines the following:
- The exact time the eclipse starts and finishes in your exact location
- Your company officially advises all workers to avoid looking at the sun during this time
- Your company does not advise viewing the eclipse with the naked eye
- For outdoor workers, recommend that if possible they be indoors during the eclipse
- If being indoors is impossible, workers must avoid looking at the sun
- For the duration of totality, there will be darkness, and work can be ceased during this time (two-minute duration) and until adequate light from the sun is restored
- Workers who read and understand the memo and still choose to view the eclipse do so on their own accord. As an employer, circulating a memo demonstrates due diligence on your behalf, and reasonable precaution for worker safety during this natural celestial event.
General Solar Eclipse Safety Tips:
- Do not look directly at the sun during any part of the total solar eclipse
- If you would like to view the eclipse using eclipse glasses, ensure that they are ISO-certified, and bear the number ISO-12312-2:2015
- Glasses not bearing the ISO certification are NOT safe for viewing and should be discarded
- Glasses with scratches or rips on the viewing film should be discarded
- Supervise children using eclipses glasses
- Turn away from the sun to don glasses and when you remove glasses
- Pinhole projectors are safe
- Do not attempt to view the eclipse through your camera or a telescope unless you are using an eclipse filter on the lens – it will damage your eyes and your camera!
- Beware that during totality, it will be completely dark, allowing you to enjoy the breathtaking beauty of seeing stars during daylight hours—but be aware of trip hazards, pedestrians, cars, etc.