Easy access to affordable eye protection for your employees is important. Here is a guide of the five key elements that will ensure the best safety and return-on-investment for any corporate prescription eye safety program.
Article written by John Stewart, Complete Eye Safety
Nearly all industrial facilities have an eye safety program.
These usually involve utilization of an eyewear professional entrusted with configuring the right lenses and frames for those who need prescription eyewear.
It also includes some type of ordering system either through an on-site visit, an off-site service center, website or other arrangement.
Some eye safety programs are very well planned and designed strategically to help the occupational worker maximize their vision acuity and on-the-job performance. Others are not as well focused and are basically mail-order processes or e-commerce sites designed to sell as many safety frames as possible without having to provide direct service.
Here then is a guide of five key elements to ensure the best safety and return-on-investment for any corporate prescription eye safety program.
1. Professionalism
The eye care safety provider should be staffed by trained professionals who not only know the ANSI Z87.1 standard but also its application. They should be able to provide not only precise optical fittings, but also understand vision’s impact on job performance.
These professionals should involve eye doctors who actively participate in the eye safety programs and understand an individual’s visual challenges. They should be able to prescribe the right prescription lens and suitable eye wear for specific on-the-job use.
Eye doctors should be on staff and available by a visit, email or their website to consult with any patient regarding their occupational needs.
2. Convenience
Workers have a job to do and the occupational eye care provider should be available at a scheduled time, either in the plant, in the doctor’s office, or online.
Some of the better programs send an occupational safety eye protection professional to actually visit a company on a regular basis. They can provide vision assessment, eye program policy advice, lens and frame selection, and overall vision guidance. In addition, they can analyze a worker’s environment and make suggestions to eliminate hazards and potential visual problems to avoid falls and accidents.
3. Ease of Ordering
Once the worker has undergone an eye exam, and now requires to be fitted for prescription safety frames, they should be able to easily order new prescription safety glasses, or even replacement frames or lenses.
The eye safety provider should offer a large selection of company approved frames through its service network, website or online catalog.
Forms and instructions should be available online to speed the process. The provider’s staff should be available to help with any issues or answer any questions.
Eye wear should be delivered in a protective package and in a timely manner, either through a drop off or by mail.
4. High Standards of Compliance
The eye safety provider should maintain the highest standards of compliance inline with federal regulations. To maintain quality and compliance, they should operate their own full-service, digital lens processing lab specializing in ANSI Z87.1.2 safety eye wear without the need of a subcontractor.
Frames and lenses should be manufactured according to ANSI Z87.1.2 certifications.
Products that are non-compliant may create a liability issue for the corporate user. Studies indicate up to 7% of prescription safety eye wear sold through retail optical and wholesale labs fail to meet compliance.
5. Return on Investment
The worker’s eye safety should be of highest importance.
On-site vision tests should be available to employees to determine vision needs and performance.
Price definitely plays a role and the eye care program should fall within the budgetary guidelines of the corporation.
However, quality, service, and expertise should also be at the forefront of any decision regarding the program selection. Keep in mind in the retail optical occupation eye safety training is rare.
Lowest price offerings may also look appealing on paper but may yield products and services that are substandard, fall short of government standards, and lack service and follow-up.
Programs dedicated to protecting the eyes of worker, while helping them maximize their vision for optimal job performance, are best suited to manage any occupational eye safety initiative.
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