Page 3 of 3 6. EYESIGHT TESTS AND CORRECTIVE LENSES PROCEDURE 6.1 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 Display Screen Equipment (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. 6.2 If the eyesight test confirms the need for corrective lenses specifically and exclusively for DSE work, WATMOS is responsible for the provision of suitable glasses for that work. 6.3 All DSE users can request an eye and eyesight test that will be paid for by the WATMOS. 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. 6.4 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 (available from the Human Resources Manager) to the member of staff that should be signed by a designated signatory. The member of staff will arrange for an eyesight test to be carried out. 6.5 Upon arrival at the Opticians, the member of staff should present the letter and form to the Optician. 6.6 On completion of the eyesight test, the Optician will return the relevant portion of the 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. 6.7 The employee is responsible for payment of the eyesight test to the Optician at the time of the eyesight test, which should be reclaimed from the Finance Section. 6.8 If the eyesight test indicates a defect requiring corrective lenses specifically and exclusively 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 and should retain receipts for the eyesight test/purchase of corrective appliances and submit these with their claim for reimbursement from the Finance Section. 6.9 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. 6.10 There is no legal requirement for employers to provide paid time off for eye sight tests. Eye sight tests should be arranged in the employee’s own time.