Free Guide To Eye Care For Computer Screen Users Available

Last weeks edition of Safety and Health Practitioner on-line reported on a new guide for safety managers on workplace eye-care regulations for computer and lap top users that has been published by Specsavers Corporate Eyecare.

USRs can also benefit from the document which can be read alongside the full DSE Regulations 1992 (As amended 2002) available from the E-Library database of this website.

"DSE Eyecare’ is the first of a new series of free information and is broken down into four main sections:

Key facts provide at-a-glance information for quick reference;

Research and statistics helps employers understand the need for and value of the regulations;

Case study examples show how policies are put into action in real-life situations;

and a detailed exploration of the guidelines contains in-depth information and more comprehensive guidance.

Laura Butler, corporate account manager at Specsavers Corporate Eyecare, told SHP On-line:

“The Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations have been in existence for two decades but are still surrounded by confusion and misunderstanding. Our DSE Eyecare tool aims to explain the details and clarify exactly who is covered and what the business is required to fund.

"We hope this will assist employers in meeting their responsibilities for eye care in the most cost-effective and time-efficient manner.”

Website editor Chris Ingram, told Unionsafety:

“In my experience of dealing with DSE health and safety issues since the early 1980’s this is the first document from opticians that I have read that I can say is factually correct and fully conversant with the DSE Regulations.

Opticians have never traditionally been thoroughly aware of either the DSE Regulations or the effects that glasses can have on users of computers at work, and the brochures from my reading of them available from most high street opticians; have not been very helpful at all on the issue of eye health and DSE.

I have often seen people wearing bi-focals or vari-focals and when doing an assessment on them, being told that their optician advised them they were needed for DSE work. This is totally incorrect and can lead to work related upper limb disorders and neck problems.

This publication is the very first I have seen from opticians which actually covers the issue of bi-focals and vari-focals and makes it clear why they are not suitable for DSE users.”

The relevant paragraph on the suitability of these types of glasses for DSE users says:

" One of the most confusing areas of the regulations concerns bifocals and vari-focals. These lenses can be unsuitable for VDU work, as it is not always possible to see the screen clearly without lowering or raising the head, which can lead to other associated problems such as neck pain.

The basic requirement then is to provide single vision spectacles suitable for viewing a screen at the appropriate distance.”

For a free copy of ‘DSE Eyecare’ call 0115 933 0800 or e-mail: uk.corporateeyecare@specsavers.com

Please note: In reporting this news item, Unionsafety is NOT endorsing Specsavers as a specific optician for those working on computer equipment to use.

See also The Law On VDUs An EAsy Guide hsg90.pdf which is available from the E-Library Database

Source: SHP On-line / Specsavers

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