Rank: New forum user 
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Hi, I'd like opinions please on prescription safety glasses and what others do regarding this. Fitters for example or someone working in a lab or often in a dusty, dirty environment I would agree that prescription glasses should be provided by the employer, (probably a separate debate on how much an employer should contribute or pay full cost?). The particular scenario that has come up with one of my customers is a driver having had a recent eye test has told his empoyer that he MUST have prescription safety glasses whilst driving. I disagree as it is no different to anyone else driving that wears glasses. However he is a waste vehicle driver and when he changes a skip there is a risk of dust etc in eyes so he has been provided with over goggles for the time being whilst doing that part of the job. The skip change is possibly a 20 minute job and he would do possibly between 5 & 8 a day? Most drivers do not wear any protective eye wear and its not normally consedered much of a risk as they stand well clear of the load though safety glasses are available if required. This is not currently mandatory. your thoughts please?
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Rank: Super forum user
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Well the safety glasses need to be provided by the employer
as PPE, when they are being used to control a particular risk eg changing the
skip. If over goggles are good enough, then they are good enough and you don’t
need anything extra. You do not need safety glass to drive and if someone
requires glasses for driving that is not an employer’s responsibility.
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Rank: Super forum user
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What price a bit of good will and encouragement to the guy?
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Rank: Super forum user 
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Hmm it's a tricky one if you ask me, because you provide safety glasses for skip work but they are not mandatory. I agree with the normal driving aspect. However, strictly speaking if you provide PPE for a task it must be suitable. Those who wear prescription spectacles often find over-glasses uncomfortable to use and they can be disorientating if used for prolonged spells.
Personally I don't think it an unreasonable request, indeed, many organisations would consider skip work as mandatory for eye protection.
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Rank: Super forum user 
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As the company have decided on thier risk assessment that safety glasses are not mandatory which they are allowed to do as it is thier assessment then no he can just wear normal glasses.
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Rank: Forum user
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Wearing safety glasses when driving would introduce hazards, IMHO. The side panels distort peripheral vision and should be removed when driving.
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Rank: Super forum user
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I'm in agreement with Ray Rapp for the reasons he has given and in particular with regard to suitablility for the individual and the task. The company I was with at the time debated this and the decision was made to provide these glasses for the drivers for the above reasons and at no cost to the individuals as per HSWA. Similarly if the side pieces were removed this would constitutes a breach of said act, eh? And it had the additional benefit of improving relations with the workforce I had a pair too and found no difficulty in driving re peripheral vision issues raised Regards Mike
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