Rank: Guest 
|
Posted By Kieran Thompson
I am looking at the VDU regs at present .
Looking at the regs we have a requirement to make available an eye Test to VDU users.
I have no problems with this . But the issues I do have are as follows :
1. VDU tests after the first Eye Test does the employee receive any more eye test's... if so What would be the time frame.
2. The Fact we are making availablity of an eye Test and someone's Eye sight has detiorated. Is this suggesting that the employer is liable to damages for detioration of eyesight.
3. If detioration is discovered in a Eye Test . Has the employer to pay for all prescription glasses ?
4. What if an employee wants a designer pair of glasses/ Contact lenses does the employer pay the full cost.
5. What if the employee looses his glasses.
Is the Company responible for replacing them.
6. Is the employer responsible for ensuring that glasses are worn while at work ?
7. Does anyone have a policy regarding eye Tests and Provision of glasses
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
|
Posted By Hilary Charlton
In answer to your questions and to the best of my ability (hopefully another respondent will back me up on this) ;;;
1] After the first eye test you should provide tests at regular intervals. We reckon every 2-3 years for non wearers or at the opticians discretion for wearers.
2] VDUs "cannot damage your eyesight". This is the official line. The theory is that they can make you aware of a pre-existing condition but not actually cause one. Therefore, there should be no damages to pay for deterioration of eyesight.
3] Make sure that your optician does a VDU check for the eye test. This way you will be able to identify if the glasses are required for this particular task or if they would have been required anyway. If they are required for only VDU work you have to pay for them. If they are required for VDU and other work you have to pay the VDU part.
4] The employee is fully entitled to have designer glasses but you only need to pay the cost for a basic pair of VDU glasses - they pay the rest themselves.
5] You should try and put some contract in place to cover loss of glasses and employees responsibility if it is within, say the first 12 months of wear or a sliding scale of employee/employer costs thereafter depending on the interval between checks.
6] Don't know - never really thought about it. Most of our people if they need VDU glasses do actually wear them so I have never had occasion to look this one up.
We go to Specsavers ourselves who do a specialist VDU test throughout all their branches and their standard spex cost £44.00 for VDU so this gives you an indication of the amount you have to pay against other claims.
Hilary
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
|
Posted By Keith Archer.
Kieran,
I would certainly back up Hillary’s response to your query,along with the adage of Q6.
As a DSE (VDU) user I am in the category of needing Glasses for this work. My belief is that you will find that your staff who require visual aids to works on DSE and they will do so without being prompted as they will find it extremely difficult to work (see the screen) without them.
Having said that it would depend on where you would be using the DSE
If it were being used in an office environment then if the employee chooses not to use glasses, as they are not doing anything to make their condition worse I would not enforce the wearing of glasses.
However if it is being used in an area where eye protection is required for example in a laboratory then you have a duty of care to ensure that the glasses are suitable for use in this type area. It is your responsibility enforce that the visual aid is worn.
Hope this helps
Keith
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
|
Posted By Michelle Driscoll
Agree with Hilary totally - we use the Accor scheme whereby we have a voucher for the eyetest and then dependent on the findings of the optician we can issue an additional voucher towards the ciost of glasses/contact lenses for £50
|
|
|
|
|
|
You cannot post new topics in this forum.
You cannot reply to topics in this forum.
You cannot delete your posts in this forum.
You cannot edit your posts in this forum.
You cannot create polls in this forum.
You cannot vote in polls in this forum.