It is vitally important that employers are aware of the Health & Safety Regulations applying to all visual display screen equipment, i.e. computer screens and monitors, in relation to employee health and well being.

One of the main problems encountered by using workstations is eye strain, which can lead to headaches, fatigue, sore eyes, staff absenteeism and ultimately reduced productivity. As an employer you may be liable for potential claims against you, should you not adhere to the regulations.

The Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992 state that employers must:
[1] Ensure that employees are aware of their entitlement to regular eye tests by a registered optometrist, with the cost of the eye test met by the employer in full.
[2] Carry out a risk assessment of workstations used by employees in order to reduce any identified risks.
[3] Ensure that employees take regular and adequate breaks from looking at their screens.
[4] Provide their computer users with adequate health and safety training for any workstation they work at.

Eye Care Vouchers – financial saving or spending???

It is current practice that employers purchase eye care vouchers in bulk from an approved provider. They then give these to employees who can take them to an optometrist and redeem the voucher for a full eye test. However, for one reason or another many vouchers simply do not get redeemed and the initial company spend is wasted.

Many corporate clients now prefer to use our business approach of physically going into the work environment and carrying out employee eye tests on site. We simply invoice our clients for each employee tested, ensuring that only those vouchers being redeemed are actually paid for and ultimately saving the company from unnecessary spend.

Future Proofing Against Claims!

In recent years, there has been a notable increase in the number of employees who suffer from tinnitus making claims against former or current employers because they were exposed to excessive loud noise at work. As with tinnitus, employees who suffer in the future because they have been straining to see their computer screen due to not wearing correct spectacles or because they did not receive the correct advice, may make large claims against you. By adhering to the Health & Safety regulations and ensuring that all employees who require spectacles or prescription safety eyewear are tested annually and lenses changed if required, will lessen the likelihood of future claims against corporates being made due to work-related damage to a persons sight. Not only will you be future-proofing yourself and your organisation against claims, but you will be playing a part in the continued good eye health of your employees.