Sunglasses could be deemed PPE. Purchasing sunglasses as PPE is not all that expensive. Just need to have clear guidance when they should be worn i.e. outside and when not to wear them i.e. in the warehouse. I suggest you look into the matter further to see how best to approach this.

Incidentally, when I was a train driver we were issued Ray Bans, but told they are not to be worn in tunnel sections!

Just buy the cheapest UV proof sunglasses you can buy and dish these out. I'll guarantee you they'll stop asking for them, however saying that what do you have in your Risk assessment about working outside in Bright Sunlight ? Do you use fork trucks? or is it just for people Packing or clearing up ? I'd be more worried about the workers getting Heat Stroke working in the Sun if they do Heavy manual work, than worrying about gettig sunglasses.

IOSH No time to lose has some pretty good info on working outside, but as far as sunglasses go, i think they are being a bit cheeky, but definitely buy some but keep them all the same, Don't start letting guys go out buying RayBans and fashion labeled glasses and giving you a bill for £100's

If your already supplying Prescription Glasses via a Voucher scheme, see if they do prescription sunglasses too, for everyone else get the same glasses and treat them as PPE as opposed to a fasion statement.

Baseball cap with a deliberately, dark peak, doesn't work for me personally, I, NEED, to have sunglasses with me 365 days of the year.
Please remember, not everyone is the same, I have just spent £150 of my own money on a set of sunglasses/safety glasses.

What does your risk assessment say? If you do not feel they are warranted to get them, tell them no! I had gardeners asking for them and I told them on the basis they spend all day looking down not a chance. They contacted the HSE and got the normal response, what does your risk assessment say!

If you don't get the reactalight rapide glasses then you are asking for trouble because no matter how much you write in an assessment or SSOW to take them off in the warehouse someone will forget and the court will ask why didn't you buy the rapide type.

I would say no if the job doesn't warrant them.

You could actually go out with them on a nice sunny day and see if they have a point or not.

Well Mr/Ms / Mrs HSE inspector, the pallet I was lifting on top of the other three didn't sit on the one below properly as the sun glare / reflection was blinding me as I looked up, I thought it was on properly. I had just driven away when someone walked past and the pallet fell. We had all asked for sun glasses but were refused.

Or on the other hand

If it is such an issue for them, have any of them bought their own ? If I had issues and the company would not buy them I probably would buy my own If I felt I needed them.

Chris