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chrismatthews  
#1 Posted : 07 June 2011 16:43:34(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
chrismatthews

Can anyone tell me, is there any specific guidance regarding the provision of 'prescription safety galsses' in the workplace. How do others get on regarding provision, frequency of exchange etc.... Thanks in advance for your comments Chris
Bob Shillabeer  
#2 Posted : 07 June 2011 17:00:47(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Bob Shillabeer

I am unaware of any specific guidance that would apply but to put it in plain language the safety glasses issue is about protecting the eyesight from external forces that could damage the eye. The eyesight bit is a medical condition where the eyesight is not at its normal or natural state. Many people wear glasses as I do and the complication ios when safety glasses are also needed. This can be overcome by using over glasses, but, this is not always the best way of protecting someones eyes. Therefore there are specialist glasses available that combine both elements, these are manufactured to meet the individuals prescription so an optitian is involved. There is obviously a need to match the two together and I suggest you identify one a case by case basis the precice needs and then obtain suitable glasses. But, guidance I'm unaware of any, just apply some structured thought to how you can provide this.
MartyB  
#3 Posted : 08 June 2011 11:04:54(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
MartyB

We provide them for people at work, I kind of assumed that we were legally obliged to do so. it normally costs around £40-60 for the glasses, we don't pay for the eye test mind. I work in a lab and I don't think it is reasonable to expect people to were over-specs on over prescription specs, I know I couldn't do that 8 hours a day. So in theory the only option is to provide the correct glasses to meet the PPE requirements, now if someone has less than perfect eyesight the only option is to provide prescription safety glasses. on a different note, I am always shocked at the poor quality of prescription safety specs, now If I were to buy a pair of sports prescription glasses they probably be a lot better and cost about 4 times as much. So why are the option for lab safety specs so limited? it seems odd considering people like me wear them all day long, many of the people I work with have the same problem, in fact some just can't get on with them.
gbinije  
#4 Posted : 08 June 2011 16:03:27(UTC)
Rank: New forum user
gbinije

There are no specific legal requirement, my company pays for them for all employees who wears prescription glasses and are meant to waer safety glasses in the course of their jobs or within areas of the site where eye protection is mandatory. Such employees are issued vouchers worth £45 this also includes eye test and the glasses fitted pentax CR39 single vision lenses. We do pay for varifocal lenses also.
David Jones  
#5 Posted : 09 June 2011 12:49:07(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
David Jones

Whilst overglasses or goggles worn over an employees normal prescriptiuon glasses may be sufficient, the requirements of the PPE regs include for ensuring the comfort of PPE required - therefore such a solution may not be appropriate for all scenarios e.g. where their use is required for continual / long duration. So it may be that different approaches (prescription safety specs, googles over persons own specs, over glasses, visors, etc, etc etc) could be applied to different persons depending on what there role is / how often they are are exposed to the potential hazard / etc)
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