You are an integral part of a vital, growing industry. In this unit you will learn some of the things that YOU can do to help the industry (and your particular lab) continue to grow and flourish.

The degree of professionalism that an individual possesses is not determined by the title of his or her job. Rather, it's determined by the type of attitude that person has about the job, the employer, and him- or herself. Therefore, it's important that you begin now to develop the sort of attitude that will make you look professional to those around you customers and co-workers, as well as your supervisor.

Here are some of the things you can do to show yourself and others that you are a professional:

First, get to work on time and be there every day. There's nothing that marks a real pro like dependability. Your co-workers want to know that you'll be there to hold up your end of the daily work. And your supervisor wants to know that you can be relied upon to keep things moving through the lab. So don't make it a habit to come in late or leave early. Give your lab a full week's work - it's the professional approach.

Follow the company dress code. Specific laboratories vary in the strictness of their dress codes. Some laboratories require that anyone who is meeting the public be dressed in conventional business attire. However, most places are somewhat more relaxed, and allow their employees a wide range of options. Whatever the policy of your particular place of employment, be sure that you know what it is, and follow it. The dress code has been developed both to keep up an image that is appropriate for your lab and to promote safety on the job.

If your company allows its employees to wear casual clothes to the job, be sure that your clothes are clean and pressed. And if you wear jeans, be sure that they are without holes, patches, faded spots, or other signs of wear.

Maintain curiosity about learning and improving on the job. If your employer offers training programs that will help you become better acquainted with your business and the industry - like this one - take advantage of them. Get involved! Show your initiative by letting your supervisor know that you are interested in learning as much as you can. Of course, this learning isn't limited to formal courses, or to in-house seminars. You can learn right on the job from your co-workers. And, as you learn, you may be allowed to take on a variety of tasks and responsibilities. Remember, the more you learn, the more interesting each day will be for you and the better job you'll do.

Help to create a positive climate. Attitude is contagious. If someone working around you comes to work with a negative attitude, it can rub off on you and the others around you. The same is true for you. Your approach to the day will affect those who work around you and the quality of your work. Don't get the day off to a bad start. Take a few moments when you get to the lab to clear your head, determine what needs to be done, and start working with a friendly, helpful, positive attitude.

Set goals for yourself and the work station. Of course you'll be working with your supervisor to assure that your goals are in sync with those of the company. By setting production or quality goals for yourself, you get a feeling of progress as you watch your skills grow and your job performance improve.

Go the second mile. Don't resist doing something because, It's not in my job description. There's nothing more frustrating to a customer than to approach an employee with a question, only to be told, I don't know. That's not my job. Of course, you won't know everything, but you can say instead, I don't know, but I'll find someone who can help you. By taking the extra time to help the customers you'll be making a powerful impression that will keep them coming back to your laboratory in the years ahead.

Safety on the Job

An optical laboratory is a manufacturing site and as such poses somewhat more danger for the employee than a service business with only an office. While there will be specific safety rules to follow at your particular job station, there are also a few general practices which help to make the lab a safer place for everyone.

First, when you are in the production areas, regardless of your reason for being there, be sure to wear approved safety goggles or safety glasses. There may be bits of glass or metal shavings flying around, and you don't want to risk injuring your eye.

Accidents can occur when an employee slips on a greasy or wet spot on the floor. Similarly, others can trip over things you forgot to put away. Take care to put things away when you're finished with them. And remember to wipe up spills as soon as they happen. By doing so, you'll help to make the lab a safer place for everyone.

Observe NO SMOKING areas. There are materials around an optical laboratory that could create fire hazards, especially in the presence of cigarettes or matches.

Wear appropriate clothing that will not become caught in machinery. Clothing that is extremely loose, e.g., wide, flowing sleeves, or bulky, loose jackets, could sweep a lab table and knock something off onto the floor. Don't engage in horseplay. It could result in accident or injury.

Proper handling and disposal of all materials must be followed at all times.

The Optical Laboratory Association has produced several publications that can be ordered by member laboratories for use in the lab or laboratory customers to use in their offices.

Two lab regulation compliance guides that all lab employees should be familiar with are the OSHA Right to Know and the EPA Hazardous Waste Disposal Guide. Both publications have been produced to help laboratories maintain safe work environments.

Any questions should be directed to your manager for clarification. Understanding your work environment helps protect you, your fellow workers and your community.

The OLA Duty to Warn kit provides information to help practitioners and/or laboratories inform consumers about proper use and safety issues associated with ophthalmic products. Included in the kit is the Lens Menu, a brochure for patients, which contains necessary information on vision safety.