Research points to confusion over DSE regs
February 1st 2009 Announcing the results of its
research into the eyecare policies of
over 250 leading companies,
Specsavers Corporate Eyecare,
has said the research highlights the
confusion over what the regulations
really entail.
According to the eyecare
provider 81% of companies are not
meeting the Display Screen
Equipment Regulations by only
making a contribution to the cost
of an eyetest and glasses, if required
solely for Visual Display Unit
(VDU) use. The regulations state
that the employer must pay the full
costs of an eye-test and the
provision of basic spectacles.
Nearly one fifth (17%) of
companies either do not have or do
not know if they have an eyecare
policy for their staff and over one
fifth (21%) of companies do not
communicate their policy.
Over a third (36%) of
companies won't fund an eyetest if
requested more frequently than
standard practice. There is
provision in the regulations for any
VDU user to request an eye-test at
any time outside of the defined
periods if visual difficulties are
experienced.
Nearly a quarter of companies
(22%) do not offer companyfunded
eyetests to homeworkers
using VDUs. 18% do so only if they
are company-funded VDU screens
and 18% do not even know if they
cover them or not.
A free guide to the DSE Regs is
available from Specsavers. More articles from Specsavers Optical Superstores Ltd: | 
