Posted By Dave Joyce Hi Karen Interesting point, but before you start paying for every type of spectacles, think about the Safety aspects of the discussion. Firstly, it is eye protection that is needed to do the job. The employer provides this protection free of charge and assesses whether the protection provided is suitable, comfortable to wear and effective in its level of protection. Spectacles may be required by some members of the workforce required to do that job, so the employers duty is to provide the same level of protection to them as to non spectacle wearers. Bifocals and variafocals tend to be worn to achieve a wide range of vision capability across several different focal ranges for the convenience and comfort of the wearer, so that as they go about their daily activity they have good visual ability without changing spectacles. The tasks that require eye protection are perhaps done at a single focal length and therefore a single vision lense is suitable. The requirement is to protect the eye, not to provide eye tests and therefore I would not pay for tests, only for the safety specs to the employees own prescription and only for single vision lenses, unless the optician was able to provide evidence that different lenses were required for the direct safety of the employee undertaking the task. It may be a thought to make an arrangement with a local optician to advise you on the issue of varifocals and bifocals in respect of the tasks that you want the employees to undertake. Finally, as a caring employer, you may decide to pay for the lot, but this can become expensive. If you pay for one persons eye test, why aren't you paying for everyones?

Posted By Frank Hallett You don't identify what activity it is that needs the eye protection, but it could well be relevant. If the protection is intended for what might be called "basic" protection and the wearer isn't required to perform any tasks that may require additional or enhanced sight ability; then I would tend toward the option of providing simple lens' to a lowest common denominator prescription level. However, to do this will require an eye test to determine which of the wide range of corrections that the wearer may need for normal use is still essential for their job. As for who pays what, the basic principle of HSWA S9 allows very little leeway. The employer is liable in full for the standard of protection required by the risk assessment; if that requires prescription lenses, then they cannot be laid off on the employee without breaching HSWA S9. Frank Hallett

Posted By Richard Whitehead We provide prescription safety eyewear through a local engineers merchants. They have a price list for their range of products and we have a maximum contribution which covers up to bi-focals in CR39 plastic. Single vision in polycarbonate is also covered in this maximum amount. Anything over and above this figure is up to the individual to pay inluding the eyesight test. The employee brings in the prescription and is then measured by the sales representative (who has had training). He then takes a copy of the prescription along with the measurements whilst the employee chooses the frame design.

Posted By Barry Cooper Hi Karen I have to agree with Dave, pay for single vision spectacles but not the eye test, as they would have to have eye tests anyway if they already wear glasses. At our company we use Specsavers, who offer the service to businesses. You just complete a form, select the type of lens material, sign it and give it to the employee. Cost about £40 and choice is good. Assess the tasks to decide if spectacles are necessary, and for how long. If the use is very infrequent and short duration, it may be considered reasonable to provide overspecs