Hi everyone,

Can anybody point me in the right direction for information on whether eyesight and general health tests are a legal requirements for our warehouse lift truck drivers?

Thanks!

Rob

Excellent, thank you!

Although the eyesight test seems not to be mandatory (unless driving on the public roads), I wonder if there is value in having either an annual or bi-annual eyesight test Policy in place.

I agree with Kate regarding paying for the glasses should they need them as there are plenty of offers for free eye tests at various outlets throughout the year so this wouldn't really be of much benefit to say you would pay for this.

Also, eye tests should be undertaken every two years

Originally Posted by: DHM

My view is that the period between eye tests should be determined by an optician or similarly qualified competent person. Eye health varies between individuals.

From NHS website: http://www.nhs.uk/chq/Pa...68&SubCategoryID=157

It is recommended that most people should get their eyes tested every two years. However, in some circumstances, they may recommend more frequent NHS sight tests; for example, if you:

• are a child wearing glasses
• have diabetes
• are aged 40 or over and have a family history of glaucoma
• are aged 70 or over

Unless they are on the public highway the driver requirememts do not strictly apply (eye sight, health, licence etc.). As an employer you are not required to provide driving glasses for any employee as the law considers this the employees problem although many would rightly argue professional drivers should receive these FOC.

Anyone in haulage care to provide update on the suggestion the EU wanted to ban HGV drivers with poor (corrected) eye-sight?

BUT if you do decide upon eyesight testing what other matters do you need to consider e.g. if you have a protective eye wear policy at site and issue polycarbonates to everyone then you now move in to the realms of needing to supply prescription impact resistant glasses for those drivers who an optometrist deems to need them. And if the FLT driver requires two/three prescriptions one for driving/one for reading paperwork/one for working on VDU data entry?

Health wise so long as they can get in to / out of the seat and are not using any prescription medicine which states do not operate equipment how far would you like to go? There is currently a debate regarding HGV drivers and monitoring for sleep apnopea following a number of road fatalities.

Hopefully any serious issues such as epilepsy were identified at recruitment so as to ensure known sufferers were not placed in danger to themselves or others.