Procedure for DSE Eyesight Tests and Corrective Lenses
1. Responsibility
The Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992 require employers to provide members of staff (or people who are to become members of staff) and who are identified as DSE `users´ with appropriate eye and eyesight tests as soon as possible after the request. An appropriate eyesight test means a 'sight test' as performed by a registered ophthalmic optician or optometrist.
The University defines a `user´ as someone who is required to operate display screen equipment (DSE) for at least 2 hours per day, averaged over a normal working week. If the eyesight test confirms the need for corrective lenses specifically for DSE work, the University is responsible for the provision of suitable glasses for that work.
2. Procedure
All DSE users can request an eye and eyesight test that will be paid for by the University. This may be brought to the attention of the relevant member of staff by either their line manager or a DSE assessor during a workstation assessment by referring the member of staff to this procedure. It should be made clear that the provision of corrective lenses is specifically for DSE work. Users are also entitled to further tests at regular intervals after the first test, and in between if they are having visual difficulties which may be reasonably considered to be caused by DSE work.
If a member of staff wishes to exercise their entitlement for an eyesight test they should first inform their line manager that they wish to exercise their entitlement because their work requires them to use DSE for the prescribed period indicated above. The line manager will issue a letter of introduction and a DSE Eyesight test form to the member of staff that should be signed by a designated signatory in the department. The member of staff will arrange for an eyesight test to be carried out at any branch of the Opticians listed under Approved Opticians.
Upon arrival at the Opticians, the member of staff should present the letter/form to the Optician.
On completion of the eyesight test, the Optician will return the completed form to the member of staff indicating any eyesight defect requiring corrective lenses. In addition, the Optician will issue a prescription to the member of staff.
The employee is responsible for payment of the eyesight test to the Optician at the time of the eyesight test, which should be reclaimed on a standard grey Claim Form from the Finance Department, submitted through normal departmental channels.
If the eyesight test indicates a defect requiring corrective lenses specifically for DSE work, the member of staff may either arrange to purchase corrective lenses from the Optician issuing the prescription, or to take the prescription to an Optician of their choice in order to obtain corrective lenses. The member of staff is responsible for purchasing the corrective lenses from the supplier. The member of staff should retain receipts for the eyesight test and the purchase of corrective appliances and submit these with their claim form.
The member of staff should return the form indicating the results of the eyesight test to the person who signed the original letter of introduction.
3. Reimbursement of the cost of eyesight tests and corrective lenses
3.1 Level of reimbursement
The University will contribute to the value of £50 for the eyesight test and corrective lenses provided solely for DSE use. The University is not required to reimburse members of staff for the cost of corrective lenses for any other eye defect. If a member of staff wishes to incorporate lenses for DSE work into other prescriptions, costs associated with this will not be reimbursed.
3.2 Authorised Opticians
All claims for reimbursement should be made on grey Claim Forms submitted through normal departmental channels. Claims for eyesight tests will only be accepted if carried out by Peter Bland Opticians or Martyn Kemp Opticians. Receipts for eyesight tests from other Opticians will not be reimbursed. It is the responsibility of the user to keep their prescriptions from their eyesight tests and to record their recommended re-test date.
Managers should ascertain from the member of staff which Optician they intend to visit and print off the letter from the link on the right onto headed paper prior to handing to the employee to take to the Opticians.
4. Review
The Head of Safety Services will keep this policy and procedure under regular review.
Approved Opticians
1. Peter Bland Opticians at
- 339 Glossop Road, Sheffield, S10 2HP
Tel (0114) 270 0803 - Dore Opticians, 25 Townhead Road, Dore
Tel (0114) 236 3200
2. Martyn Kemp Opticians at
- 443 Herries Road, Sheffield S5 8TJ
Tel (0114) 232 5503 - 38 Chapel Street, Woodhouse, Sheffield S13 7JP
Tel (0114) 269 3521 - 926-928 City Road, Manor, Sheffield S2 1GQ
Tel (0114) 239 7230 - 32-34 Bellhouse Road, Firth Park, Sheffield S5 6HL
Tel (0114) 242 4248 - 739 Abbeydale Road, Sheffield S7 2BG
Tel (0114) 255 6554 - 7 Johnson Street, Stocksbridge, Sheffield S36 1BX
Tel (0114) 288 2287 - 301 South Road, Walkley, Sheffield S6 3TA
Tel (0114) 233 3083 - 26A Wellgate, Rotherham S60 2LR
Tel (01709) 364 002 - 69 Dale Road, Rawmarsh, Rotherham S62 5AL
Tel (01709) 522 684 - 63 Baslow Road, Totley rise, Sheffield S17 4DL
Tel (0114) 236 4485