Prescription Safety Glasses - Again

[MSpurling]

Hi all,

I know this is a topic that keeps coming up but I can't find anything that helps answer my specific question on the subject.

At present, we do not provide prescription safety glasses to our employees. They have access to free issue overspecs or normal safety glasses if required.

In the past the company did use the Specsavers vouchers, but due to having unused ones expire they stopped using the system.
We do have a programme called MediCash in place which reimburses you for certain medical expenses, including optical care.
The view is that the £65 provided by MediCash is sufficient to cover the costs if prescription safety glasses are required, or use the overspecs already provided.

My argument is that whilst the overspecs do cover the regulatory requirements, they are not great for long term wearing.
I am also saying that the £65 is not sufficient to cover the costs of safety prescription glasses, without a voucher Specsavers safety specs start at £90.
There's also the fact that MediCash is a taxable benefit, and I'm unsure whether this would cause issues in line with providing PPE free of charge.

I understand I won't get a black and white answer on this, but am just trying to gather as much information as I can to make sure I'm putting forward a balanced and well provisioned proposal.

Thanks in advance,

Matt

[Blackstone]

Could you say that the £65 is the company contribution. If the employee wants a better pair, they can put in the difference?

[MSpurling]

The problem I see there comes if the employee has already used the £65 towards their normal prescription glasses.

[The Instructor]

I tend to work in absolutes, life is so much simpler in black and white.... to me this is not difficult, the company is responsible for providing PPE.
full stop the end......
But, assuming all the RA and SSAW are in place and that wearing the safety glasses is a control measure, then, they need to be adequate and of course comfortable for the length of time they're being worn..... as the regulation says Fit for Purpose..... whether they cost £60 or £327 the company must pay..... it says so in the regulation. £65 for prescription safety glasses, in my opinion is like giving someone £2 to go to the cinema ;P

[The Noise Chap]

Just on the other hand, the law is PPE has to be provided and over-glasses are PPE. If those are provided then the company has met its duty. Will people moan about them? Of course, but they moan about anything to do with PPE given half a chance. Over-glasses are perfectly standard equipment.

If the company then chooses to look into prescription safety glasses then that is more of a HR / benefits decision - something done to make employees' lives better rather than a regulatory necessity. As such, you can choose what you want there - a contribution, full payment, or nothing at all. Whatever you want and whatever you have the budget for and how nicey-nicey the company wants to be.

[The Instructor]

The eye equipment has to be fit for purpose..... its that simple, for myself, I would request prescription varifocal because that's what I wear and over glasses alter the vision....so would not be fit for purpose.