Posted By Stewpot Hey there guys, It has been brought to my attention by our HR department that one of our technicians is blind in one eye. Just wondering what the additional risks imposed to the employee by partial sight are, and what steps I should take. Obviously ensuring eye protection is worn is essential, but PPE should be used as a last resort only. What steps could I take to mitigate any risks. Do I need to do a personal risk assessment for the employee?

Posted By Tabs As you give no clues as to the industry, the job, the environment, no-one here can tell you what the extra risks are. I would say yes to doing an individual risk assessment - but do it sensibly. Start by asking the employee's opinion.

Posted By Stewpot Apologies, Our company is an engineering firm and the employee's main duties are to repair and test pressure equipment such as pumps etc.

Posted By Ron Hunter I find this suggested "individual assessment" approach utterly nonsensical. Controls must be robust enough to prevent eye injury where the hazard is present - & this goes for all potentially at risk. The increased duty applies not to risk assessment but to SUPERVISION in ensuring controls are maintained - the key failure in the case law mentioned above.

Posted By Steve M Granger A lot of good advice on protecting his sight, but no one has asked the question if he already wears glasses or eye protection so I think that’s a good starting point rather than assuming he is a walking eye trauma accident - you never know he might electrocute himself! I'd also establish if the workshop 'risk activities' are well managed to prove the reasonableness bla, bla, bla....... now what about the other risks to him (and others)? I agree that a one to one discussion is essential and you need to establish if there is a real risk or just a perception because of the DoC. How and when did he loose his sight, does it actually cause him concern, are there jobs he finds more difficult as a result etc etc? I do not know if colour perception or astigmatism is exaggerated or affected by monocular vision – something to check with him – especially if working with coloured pipe work, labels, dials and gauges. Being monocular may introduce other problems such as fatigue and strain on his eye as it will be compensating for the loss etc. This in turn may introduce headache, stress (performance issues) and of course common hazards such as tripping may be amplified. As an engineer, does he rely on sight for machine accuracy or is his work safety critical such as over pressure test work etc, or is there a lot of DSE working? If so you may need to include a balanced week of activities, not forgetting that as he ages so the impairment will be aggravated. If you need advice look on how such a disability may affect someone try a web search and you will find government advice, support groups for the partial sighted as well as those who have no sight. It may identify the need for different or enhanced monitors / calibration equipment etc. I drafted a specific risk assessment questionnaire for the disabled (including temp disability such as the weekend ‘sportsters’ coming in to work with broken legs!) and permanent disability. This was a simple interview structure by way of a half dozen questions to ask and record answers and actions. I also prepared a similar approach for maternity assessments as they are 1-1 interview style assessments. Steve