Does anyone know if there are different types of safety prescription glasses available for FLT drivers/drivers in particular?. We had a First Aid injury recently (Flt & pedestrian) - FLT clipped a pedestrian while driving away from them - fortunately not a lost time.

However during the investigation it came up that the standard safety prescription glasses (with side shields) that both the FLT driver and pedestrian were wearing MAY have contributed, as both felt that the side shields can prohibit their peripheral vision.....

Has anyone else come across this? We can not do away with the safety specs and obviously we cater for those that require a prescription safety lens.

I have arranged to meet with the supplier...a local high street chain... to see if we can identify if there are other types available that provide a better peripheral vision through the side shields. Has anyone else come across anything or experienced this issue before?
Thanks in advance

I would be more concerned toward the seperating of FLT and pedestrians rather than their peripheral vision.

As SW says.. turn their heads more!

This just sounds like making excuses for not looking where they are going.
If the driver had checked all round before moving off, as they are trained to do, then they would have seen the pedestrian. Rather than relying on peripheral vision.

I'd be looking at monitoring the drivers performance rather than pandering to excuses about PPE.

As someone who is fairly short-sighted and with a large difference between distance and near vision I have limited peripheral vision with my normal varifocus prescription spectacles. This means when driving I have to turn my head more than perhaps someone with normal vision would need to do. It's never been a problem for me. And I do wear normal safety spectacles over my prescription ones frequently both at and away from work and it has never been a problem. I question whether this is really the main issue.

In my view someone driving a FLT should be ensuring that they are aware of what is happening around them anyway, even if this does mean turning their head!

Chris

Could I firstly ask why safety glasses are needed in the FLT? Under normal circumstances there is no danger to the eyes in the average FLT. Perhaps it's a "blanket" site rule, in which case it could be relaxed for drivers. I see no reason to enforce safety glasses upon drivers, especially when this particular design results in reduced peripheral vision. The side protection on such glasses is not designed to be "seen" through and (especially over time) can only inhibit vision.

A solution would be to pay more money and get one of the very nice wrap around models.

I agree with those above who point out that the separation of pedestrians and plant should be the primary focus of those looking for a solution to the incident.

I do, however, believe that the side protection of this type of safety glasses could contribute to the incident, as described. I've worn this type for many years and so can speak with the benefit of direct experiance. The side protection must surely inhibit peripheral vision.

Mick

This too would be my first port of call (regardless if it does or does not reduce peripheral vision).

I've never thought safety glasses were needed for FLT drivers (in my case it was in distribution centres).

I've got to agree with many above, as a FLT driver I'd be conscious of pedestrians and segregation of plant and pedestrians is where I'd be concentrating improvements to prevent reoccurrence.

As for safety spec's whilst driving? I've a very strong prescription a personal preference is to wear goggles over them, easier to replace and much more cost effective too...