Posted By Darren J Fraser This will depend upon the person concerned being identified as a user (normally in excess of 1 hour, not that I have ever found that in writing). If a user, I would personally say have the eye test offered before they start work with the company - you might consider introducing a pre-employment medical for all staff, with annual or bi-annual checkup, thereby conducting health monitoring , which in turn allows you to identify any potential problem you work may be causing. The above are strictly my own views on the matter, it will be interesting to see other respondents viewpoint on the subject.

Posted By Terry J Hall Melanie I believe that the employer is obliged to provide the test so long as the "probationist" qualifies as being (or is going to be) a "user". Whether he is on trial or not should not come into it - he/she is still an employee. Furthermore the sight test should be provided before the new employee undertakes sufficient DSE work to make them a user, according to the HSE Guidance.

Posted By cakey In response to Darren's query; in the DSE guidance the following is stated:- "It will generally be appropriate to classify the person concerned as a user or operator if they: (a) normally use DSE for continuous or near-continuous spells of an hour or more at a time; and (b) use DSE in this way more or less daily; and (c) have to transfer infonnation quickly to or from the DSE; and also need to apply high levels of attention and concentration; or are highly dependent on DSE or have little choice about using it; or need special training or skills to use the DSE."