Posted By Ken Taylor My interpretation of the DSE Regs in this respect is that, as the employer has a specific duty to provide an eye and eyesight test to designated users of DSE upon request and as the Guidance to the Regulations refers to employers arranging tests for new recruits, these tests should be permitted during normal working hours and that the principle of employees not having to pay for specifically required health and safety provision means that this time off should be at the employer's expense. As to other visits to the optician, these would be part of the employer's arrangements with the employees for medical appointments generally and various codes of practice and negotiated agreements will apply.

Posted By Ian Mycroft Bob I would agree with Ken on this, that to expect an employee to use their own time for eye and eyesight test provided under DSE Regs would in effect be charging for the test. Similarly if flexitime was used that would still be a form of charge as the time would no doubt have to be made up later or accrued in advance.

Posted By Ken Taylor If your question means 'do we think that employers should be required to give paid time off?', the answer will probably be 'Yes' - and not just for crane operators. There's a lot of jobs out there where good eyesight is very important for health and safety. If, however, the question means 'is there a legal requirement?', the answer is 'No'. The duty upon employers with regard to display screen equipment users arises from the risk to eyesight from the job rather than the risk to the safe operation of the job from inadequate eyesight. We await the day when legislation moves forward in that direction.