VEHICLE & FLEET SAFETY
KEEPING SAFETY IN SIGHT
Jim Lythgow, Head of Strategic Alliances at Specsavers Corporate Eyecare, takes a closer look at driver eyecare in the workplace, and reveals that responsibility doesn’t just lie with the employee to ensure they are fit to drive.
The issue of fitness to drive comes under road traffic law, however it may surprise some to learn that there is actually a shared responsibility with the employer, when an employee is driving for work purposes. This is because the 1974 Health and Safety at Work Act places a duty of care with employers regarding all ‘at work’ activities. The HSE states this includes ‘the time when they are driving or riding at work, whether this is in a company or hired vehicle, or in the employee’s own vehicle.’
SHOCKING STATISTICS Specsaver’s research into driver eyecare has shown that despite having concerns for employee safety, employers are not taking heed of these regulations. Shockingly, 25% of employers have concerns that some of their drivers may not have adequate eyesight. Additionally more than half
of employers do not offer eyecare to any of their drivers.
Reports from the Department for Transport have also shown that at- work drivers undertake nearly a third of all road journeys. They are also 26% more likely to be in a crash than people driving on their own time, so the risks are high. In fact, 10 people are killed in Britain each week, and 100 injured, by people driving for work.
VALUE FOR MONEY While employers are under pressure to provide a wide range of care and benefits for their employees, eyecare perhaps provides some of the best value for money. A simple eye examination can save someone’s sight and even their life.
Aside from the emotional cost of any collision, we asked employers taking part in our survey what they thought an accident could cost the business, in terms of sick pay, temporary cover, legal expenses and lost time. A third of employers said they thought this could cost more than £5,000 and 85% believe the costs would be in excess of £1,000.
HELPFUL TOOL The simple answer is for employers to put an eyecare policy in place for all drivers. We have worked alongside road safety charity, Brake, to develop a free interactive e-learning resource to highlight the importance of driver eyecare.
‘Sharpen Up’ can be used by employers and employees alike and is particularly useful within training sessions, workshops or online communications. It is an open-access resource to facilitate discussion and present the facts on the importance
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of drivers getting regular eye tests and maintaining good eye health. It can also be made directly available to individual employees simply wanting to find out more about driver eyesight.
While providing eye tests is a simple, cost-effective, yet essential practice, it is also key that employees themselves understand the importance of taking up eyecare provision, visiting the optician regularly, and remembering to actually wear their glasses, if they need them for driving.
LACK OF TESTING In many cases, drivers will only have had their eyesight tested once, on the day of their driving test, using the rudimentary number plate test. A 2014 survey by Brake and Specsavers found that one in four drivers had not had a vision test in the past two years, and 4% had never had their eyes tested. A worrying one in eight who need glasses or contact lenses, admitted driving without them.
EXPERT OPINION Optometrists advise that drivers should have their eyes and eyesight checked at least every two years. Eyesight can deteriorate over time at a rate that is not necessarily noticeable to the individual.
The best way for employers to safeguard themselves and their employees is to implement a simple eyecare policy for all drivers, and to communicate its benefits.
www.specsavers.co.uk/corporate
www.tomorrowshs.com
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