COVER STORY
Equipment) Regulations (amended 2002) that govern the provision of eyecare for all ‘screen users’. While these regulations have been in force for nearly a quarter of a century, they are still often misunderstood by employers. The problem is that they are not quite as prescriptive as some of the other health and safety regulations. A lot depends upon the definition of a ‘screen user’. The DSE regulations talk about ‘habitual’ or ‘regular’ users of DSE but this is still ambiguous. Today, even the definition of DSE may come into question, given the number of different devices now used in the workplace.
Specsavers Corporate Eyecare’s stance is that it is generally more time and cost effective to apply a policy of inclusion, using a low- cost blanket scheme, as it can be counterproductive to spend time and energy trying to prove the exclusion of a few. What makes this option even more appealing to many employers is that even if their employees do not qualify for company-funded eyecare under the DSE regulations, they are likely to fall under one of the other categories by being a driver, or working in an ‘at risk’ situation.
DRIVER EYECARE When it comes to driver eyecare, it would not be surprising if most people thought this came down to the individual driver alone. They may feel this is what the Road Traffic Act states. In fact, it is again the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 that covers this for employees. The act makes it clear that is requires employers to: ‘take appropriate steps to ensure the health and safety of their employees and others who may be affected by their activities when at work. 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.’ [1]
As an ‘at work’ activity, driving is as much a part of the responsibility of the employer as any other occupational task. Furthermore, the employer’s responsibility stretches to all drivers, whether they drive as their main working role, or if they are just attending a meeting or running an errand to the local post office.
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EYECARE AS A BENEFIT The final aspect of eyecare in the workplace is as a benefit in its own right. Independent research conducted on behalf Specsavers Corporate Eyecare has shown in the past how greatly employees value eyecare as a benefit.
Furthermore, research revealed by Specsavers Corporate Eyecare at the beginning of this year shows the link between eyecare in the workplace and improved health, wellbeing and productivity. Over three-quarters, 79%, of employers believed having an eyecare policy in place helps with the overall health and wellbeing of their staff. With eyecare helping to reduce issues like eyestrain, tiredness and headaches for screen users, 84% of employers surveyed believed eyecare can help to increase productivity at work.
An eye examination does a great deal more than simply check that vision is adequate. It can detect signs of a great many systemic conditions including diabetes, raised cholesterol, cardiovascular disease, brain tumours, thyroid problems and multiple sclerosis. With these wider health benefits in mind, even eyecare as a benefit can be seen as a health and safety issue.
THE WHOLE PACKAGE The argument for providing eyecare across the whole business is, therefore, a convincing one. In May this year, Specsavers Corporate Eyecare asked employers
how much they believed it would be reasonable to pay for a full eye examination and glasses, solely for DSE use. Nearly half, 49%, believed paying over £40 would be a reasonable price for a full eye examination and glasses solely for DSE use. More than a quarter, 27%, thought over £60 would be reasonable and 14% thought over £80 would be reasonable.
In fact, DSE eyecare covering a full eye examination and glasses, if required solely for DSE use, is available for just £17 from Specsavers Corporate Eyecare. This then makes the whole proposition even more appealing and applying eyecare to all employees becomes a definite possibility.
With so many different rules and regulations governing the different aspects of workplace eyecare, it may make sense for employers to provide eyecare for all, but also to provide specific eyecare for specific needs. eVouchers are available for each different aspect of eyecare, with Safety eVouchers specifically tailored for those in need of prescription safety eyewear, and DSE eVouchers to meet with the complex rules for screen users. Driver Eyecare eVouchers help to ensure that employers are covering their responsibility and Optical Care eVouchers allow employers to offer a valued employee benefit. All of which work together to increase health, safety and wellbeing across the whole company or organisation.
specsavers.co.uk/corporate
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