Beths Grammar School POLICY ON EYE & EYESIGHT TESTING (Display Screen Equipment)

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1 Beths Grammar School POLICY ON EYE & EYESIGHT TESTING (Display Screen Equipment) 1. INTRODUCTION This policy is formulated to comply with the Health & Safety Display Screen (DSE) Equipment Regulations 1992 (amended 2002). The regulations place specific responsibilities upon employers in respect of the provision to display screen users, of eye and eye sight tests. Such tests must comply with the Opticians Act 1989 and should be undertaken by a competent person i.e. a registered ophthalmic optician or optometrist. 2. AIMS OF POLICY To ensure that: the Schools obligations for eye and eyesight testing as required by the above regulations are fully met; users of display screen equipment who have a middle distance visual defect are supplied with corrective lenses as necessary; to support managers in regards to their health & safety responsibilities. 3. HEALTH RISKS There is no reliable evidence to support the premise that work with display screen equipment damages eyesight. It is however recognised that it may make users more aware of pre-existing vision defects. Pre-existing vision defects and/or poor working conditions may produce temporary visual fatigue and headaches. Correcting such defects can: improve user comfort; increase job satisfaction; enhance work performance. 4. PROVISION OF TESTS The School is required to inform users of display screen equipment of their right to request an appropriate eye and eyesight test. When requested to do so the School is required to provide an appropriate eye and eyesight test. This may typically be: when they first become Users at intervals thereafter as directed by the optician (typically on a two yearly cycle). on any occasion where the User experiences visual difficulties, which may reasonably be considered to be related to DSE, work (e.g. dry or sore eyes, eyestrain or focusing difficulties). The test should be agreed and authorised as soon as practicable after the user requests it. Page 1/5

2 There is no legal requirement for employers to provide paid time-off for eye tests. The School's appointed representatives for the provision of the above will be Boots Opticians The user is responsible for the care of spectacles provided for DSE work. In cases of accidental damage or loss, the employee will be responsible for the costs for repair or replacement of these spectacles. 5. LIABILITY FOR PAYMENT If the eyesight test confirms the need for corrective lenses specifically for DSE work, the School is responsible for the provision of suitable glasses for that work. The School will also be responsible for the cost of a repeat or changed prescription for spectacles provided they are for DSE use. The School s liability is restricted to the cost of the: the eye and eyesight test itself; the supply of VDU glasses where necessary. This cost is limited to: the provision of VDU glasses (a basic appliance) which are of a type and quality that is adequate for its function (i.e. the provision of basic lenses and frame); only applicable to the middle distance required for DSE work. The School is not liable for the payment of: non DSE corrective appliances; designer frames; lenses with optional treatments not required for DSE work. Users of DSE shall not be liable for reimbursement of their costs where: they use an alternative optician; undertake an eye & eyesight test without their managers prior approval. Payment as specified within this policy shall be dependent upon: the examining optician confirming in writing that the eyesight test has been performed; that the appliance is required by confirmation from Boots Opticians on the DSE eyesight test result form Staff who are required to wear spectacles for general use will be responsible for providing their own spectacles. Page 2/5

3 6. PROCEDURE FOR REFERRAL 1. Employee requests referral for eye test. 2. Identified by Manager as DSE user using the User Assessment Form Appendix II. 3. Confirm receipt of health & safety training. 4. Confirm workstation has been assessed and complies with regulations. 5. Refer user to Boots Opticians using referral letter Appendix I and provide employee with Boots Opticians voucher. 6. If user requires corrective lenses for DSE work, Boots will invoice school for i. Eyesight test up to 25 ii. VDU glasses up to 50 for complete glasses with single vision plastic lenses Otherwise, Boots will invoice school for an Eyesight test up to Employees will be expected to pay Boots directly for amounts exceeding voucher value. Agreed Spring 2018 Next scheduled review date Spring 2021 Page 3/5

4 Referral Letter Appendix I Date Dear Boots Opticians Re: Display Screen Equipment (DSE) Eye Examination The following member of the School s staff has requested an eyesight test in accordance with the Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992: Name: Address: Please test his/her eyes and advise me whether they require corrective lenses specifically to enable them to use display screen equipment. I would be grateful if you would complete the section below and return it to the employee. Yours sincerely, Signed:.. Date: Managers Name (Print): Beths Grammar School DSE eyesight test result An Eyesight test was carried out on (date) In my opinion the above person (delete those that do not apply) Does not require corrective lenses Requires corrective lenses but not specifically for use with DSE Requires corrective lenses for DSE use only Recommended date of next eyesight test. Signed:.. Date:. Print Name:... Page 4/5

5 Appendix II Beths Grammar School User Assessment Form Name of Employee: Department: To be classified as a user it is first necessary to determine whether the above employee uses DSE for continuous spells of one hour or more at a time, on a significant number of occasions (amounting to at least 30% of his/her normal working week). If this is so, it will be appropriate to classify him/her as a user if there is a response of true to four or more of the following statements: The employee is dependent on the use of DSE to do the job, as alternatives are not readily available. The employee has no discretion as to the use or non-use of DSE. The employee needs particular skills in the use of DSE to do the job. The employee uses DSE more or less daily. The fast transfer of information between the employee and the screen is an important requirement of the job. The performance requirements of the system demand high levels of attention and concentration by the employee, for example where the consequences of error may be critical. RESPONSE TRUE FALSE The above employee has been assessed a: USER NON USER Please delete as appropriate Assessment made by: Date: Page 5/5