Posted By Michael Hosking Glasses for DSE use is a legal requirement under DSE regs, but what about this one. Activity: Proofreader Spends all day reading hard copy documents. Optician recommends glasses for proofreading Same principle as DSE glasses but not supported by the law, or is it? Could the extra duty of care be applicable, does Paris vs Stepney Borough Council have any bearing. Fellow professional thoughts/opinions requested. Sounds like an ideal NEBOSH Diploma question.

Posted By Frank Hallett First - if a competent professional recommednded that you provide suitable footwear for outside use - would you be asking this question? Forgive me if I make some assumptions here; 1 - the optician was contracted by the employer to provide this advice; 2 - the employee has no identified sight defect that would require routine eyesight correction that would be similar to that proposed by the optician for the stated work. The issue is that a competent person [optician] has identified a need to safeguard the eyesight of the employee.during a specific work activity. On the basis of the assumptions above, the employer must provide and bear the cost. If the assumptions are not correct, my advice would be for the employer to have an independant examination and consider the result as part of their activity risk assessment. Frank Hallett