This is a question we are asked frequently and the basic answer is yes: Display Screen regulations provide free eye test rights to any employee who habitually uses a VDU (including flat screens) as a significant part of their normal work. As a general guide some sources suggest significant means more than an hour a day.
You have to provide them only if the employee asks for an eye and eyesight test. This is a test by an optometrist or doctor. There is also an entitlement to further tests at regular intervals; the optometrist doing the first test can recommend when the next should be. If you have a lot of requests you may find an optometrist who will do them for free as then they might get a new client.
You only have to pay for spectacles if special ones (for example, prescribed for the distance at which the screen is viewed) are needed and normal ones cannot be used. Your obligation is to provide only basic spectacles as are required to provide correction for working at a VDU. So you are not obliged to pay for contact lenses, designer frames or special lens treatments. Some employers may choose to make a contribution (equivalent to the cost of basic correction) towards more expensive options but there is no obligation to do so.
The requirement to pay for tests or spectacles does not apply to self-employed workers but for them you have to provide risk assessments, make sure the works station complies with regulations and (perhaps by providing the publication below) about working at a VDU.
There is more detail at: http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg36.pdf
To ensure the health and well-being of your employees and minimise your legal risks, Employer Solutions can help with:
- Legally compliant documentation tailored to your business including bespoke contracts of employment and drafting correspondence that is specific to your business.
- An up-to-date digital Employee Handbook. This provides a paperless, comprehensive and continually updated source of policies and procedures, ensuring you stay ahead of legal requirements.
- Expert guidance in navigating the complexities of employment law and health regulations.
Contact us today and take a proactive step towards a compliant, safe, and productive workplace.
Malcolm Martin FCIPD
Author Human Resource Practice
Blogs are for general guidance and are not an authoritative statement of the law.