Any employee who uses a computer, drives or works in a hazardous environment will require some level of company-funded eyecare. The key for HR professionals, explains Jim Lythgow, Director of Strategic Alliances at Specsavers CE, is to find the right level of provision.
The range of requirements and sphere of application of eyecare in the workplace is incredibly broad. Virtually every employee is entitled to eyecare relating to some aspect of their work. HR professionals need a comprehensive understanding of the regulations in order to ensure employee wellbeing and, to do so within an often tight budget. Research shows that employers often misunderstand their responsibilities and, as a result, are either over- or under providing in terms of eyecare. The biggest breach is probably in eyecare for drivers. The majority of employers wrongly believe that under UK driving Law, it is purely up to the individual to ensure they are fit to drive. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) clearly states, however, that an employer’s duty of care extends to employees who are driving for work purposes. While employers may consider eyecare for professional drivers of vans or possibly for sales reps who drive many thousands of work-miles, they are far less likely to consider the visual abilities of someone driving to an ad hoc meeting or popping to the post office by car.
Eyecare can be relatively inexpensive; possible prosecution under health and safety regulations could, however, prove extremely costly. The HSE asserts that: “health and safety law applies to on-the-road work activities as to all work activities, and the risks should be effectively managed within a health and safety management system”. Screening tests recently undertaken over an eight-month period, and this showed that a staggering one in three drivers do not meet the legal standards required for driving, so this is, indeed, a big issue for employers. While employers often underestimate the need for driver eyecare, safety eyewear may actually be over-stipulated. In research undertaken, more than half (51 percent) of respondents responsible for safety eyewear thought that normal spectacles never provide sufficient protection in a hazardous environment. In fact, everyday glasses are acceptable for low impact resistance. It is positive that employers are erring on the side of caution, but this could strain budgets unnecessarily. The research went on to show that HR managers, occupational health professionals, specialist opticians and the individual employees themselves, were all thought to be capable of specifying requirements for safety eyewear. However, under health and safety regulations, it is important that it is the qualified health and safety officer alone who specifies safety eyewear; and following this step could save employers a great deal of money. The benefit to employees, who will then receive the right level of protection, is immeasurable.
Display Screen Equipment regulations are well known , they are, however, perhaps the more complex and ambiguous of all the legislation covering workplace eyecare. There is much debate as to who is classified as a “habitual” or “regular” user. Here it is important to strike the right balance of provision. It is often far cheaper and easier to include all employees in one low-cost blanket scheme than to spend a disproportionate amount of time trying to exclude a few individuals. It is not unusual for an eye examination and glasses for VDU use to cost around £50 to £80 or even as much as £200. An employer given an expenses form to reimburse the individual for this sort of amount will be in for a shock, particularly as both the eye examination and glasses combined are available for less than £20. Under the regulations, an employer is entitled to stipulate their own choice of optician. An employee who is unaware of this and has their expenses claim refused will be equally unhappy.
Our research revealed some astonishing results: More than half of employers (54 percent) admitted to worrying that some of their employees may be driving when their eyesight is not good enough to do so. Again, over half (51 percent) said they believe their employees remove safety glasses due to lack of comfort and fit and a worrying eight percent believe their employees do so on a regular basis. An intelligent eyecare policy can be very positive for a business as it can help to avoid unnecessary expenses, may protect the employer from prosecution and can even result in lower insurance premiums. Eyecare is also highly valued by employees and can provide an inexpensive morale boost.
