Solar eclipses are rare and exciting events that inspire worldwide awe, drawing millions of eyes. But they're also quite dangerous and even potentially harmful if certain precautions aren't taken.
Here’s what you need to know before April 8th, 2024, when the next solar eclipse will be visible from Ontario.
What is a solar eclipse?
A solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes between the earth and the sun, blocking all or part of the sun’s light. This happens when the alignment of the two is just right, causing either a total or partial blockage of sunlight as seen from Earth.
How to Protect Yourself from a Solar Eclipse
Solar radiation is damaging to the eyes and it’s why you’ve always been told never to stare directly into the sun. While a solar eclipse may diminish the light from the sun, it does not reduce the amount of harmful solar radiation it gives off.
To protect your eyes during a solar eclipse, you should never look directly at the sun without proper eye protection. Using special solar viewing glasses or handheld solar viewers certified to meet the ISO 12312-2 international safety standard is essential. is essential.
Regular sunglasses, homemade filters, or unfiltered cameras, binoculars, and telescopes should not be used to view the sun during an eclipse, as they do not offer enough protection to be considered safe, leading to serious eye damage or even blindness. If you do not have access to proper eye protection, you can indirectly observe the eclipse by projecting the sun’s image onto a surface using a pinhole projector or other simple projection methods that you can make at home.
Protecting outdoor workers
Most times outdoor work doesn’t stop during a solar eclipse, so protecting workers is important while minimizing disruptions. Here are just a few ways to protect outdoor works during a solar eclipse:
- Schedule work: plan work activities around the timing of the eclipse, avoiding critical tasks during the peak of the event.
- Provide shade: setup shaded areas or tents where workers can take breaks and rest away from direct sunlight.
- Hydration: encourage workers to stay hydrated by providing ample water and drinks with electrolytes, especially if the weather is hot.
- Protective clothing: ensure workers wear appropriate clothing, such as lightweight breathable fabrics that cover the skin to protect against sun exposure.
- Eye protection: remind workers not to look directly at the Sun without proper eye protection and provide certified solar viewing glasses if necessary.
- Education and training: train workers about the dangers of looking directly at the sun and guide safe viewing practices.
- Supervision: assign supervisors or safety officers to monitor workers and ensure compliance with safety guidelines during the eclipse.
By implementing these measures, outdoor workers can safely observe and work during a solar eclipse without risking their health or safety.
Working outdoors during an eclipse? Be sure to protect yourself, even when not actively looking at the solar event.
When is the next solar eclipse?
The next solar eclipse will occur on April 8th, 2024. It will be a total solar eclipse visible from Mexico, the United States, and Canada.
This event will not occur again in Canada until August 23, 2044. Stay tuned to Emergency Management Ontario for more information as it becomes available. Information can also be found on the Canadian Space Agency website as well.
