From Zoom calls to emails, spreadsheets, and editing, nowadays, almost all workers use display screen equipment (DSE) in one way or another every single day. But where does this leave our eye health?
As an employer, it’s your responsibility to protect your team’s wellbeing, and this includes their DSE-related health, as outlined by Regulation 5 of the Display Screen Equipment Regulations.
In this blog post, we’ll explore this regulation in full detail and provide the information and guidance you need to prevent eye issues amongst your team and keep everyone happy and ready to work.
Got your glasses to hand? Read on to find out more.
Understanding Regulation 5: Eyes and Eyesight
Initial Eye and Eyesight Tests
One of the key things Regulation 5 stipulates is that employers must ensure that appropriate eye and eyesight tests are conducted for employees who are DSE users or are set to become DSE users. The timing of these tests is crucial – existing users should be able to request a sight test whenever they feel they need one. Meanwhile, prospective employees should have an eye test before they begin regularly using DSE as part of their new job at your organisation. Employers are required to provide eye tests promptly if requested.
These initial eye tests are crucial. Why? They can serve as a proactive measure to identify potential vision issues early on, allowing for timely interventions that can protect and improve employees’ eye health and keep them feeling happy and comfortable at work.
While vision screening tests are not a substitute for eye and eyesight tests under Regulation 5, some employers may offer them as an additional measure. Vision screening aims to identify individuals with defective vision and may be a precursor to a full sight test.
Did you know?
Eye tests aren’t just essential for measuring eye health; they can actually be vital in detecting many other general health issues, too, including cancer, diabetes, and multiple sclerosis, to name just a few.
Regular Tests and Addressing Visual Difficulties
Our eyesight can change over time, so as an employer, you must provide further eye and eyesight tests at regular intervals for DSE users on your team. Moreover, if a user reports visual difficulties associated with DSE work, you must promptly arrange an eye test. An immediate
response is always essential in addressing emerging issues and preventing prolonged discomfort, health complications, or time off associated with this type of problem.
Provision of Corrective Appliances
It’s the responsibility of employers to provide special corrective appliances when normal ones cannot be used, and an eye test indicates that they would be necessary.
Employers should work with optometrists or medical professionals to arrange these eye tests and provisions for employees.
The Purpose and Benefits of Eye Tests
Improving Comfort and Efficiency
Eye tests are important for DSE users as they help improve comfort and efficiency by identifying and correcting vision defects or eye issues. While there is no reliable evidence that DSE causes permanent eye damage3, pre-existing sight issues or problems with eye health can become more apparent during sustained DSE use, leading to temporary eyestrain and fatigue. By addressing these issues through corrective measures, employers can help employees do their jobs without visual discomfort, improving productivity and wellbeing.
Optimal Performance and Satisfaction
Uncorrected vision defects can make DSE work more tiring and stressful than necessary. Correcting these defects improves comfort and contributes to higher levels of job satisfaction and overall performance.
It’s also important to note that some DSE tasks may require specific visual capabilities, such as colour discrimination, so it’s essential to check whether your employees can do this. Regular check-ups and support will also make your team feel supported and valued, positively influencing their overall job satisfaction and commitment.
Employer’s Liability for Costs
As an employer, you’re responsible for providing eye and eyesight tests, along with special corrective appliances for those who need them. Your liability also extends to the cost of essential appliances necessary for DSE work.
In a nutshell, the core elements of a health and wellbeing strategy that supports your team’s eye health should include efforts to:
- Create a Vision-Friendly Workplace: Employers should make financial investments in eye tests, appliances, and professional input from specialists when creating a vision-friendly working environment. Employers who go beyond compliance and actively support vision care initiatives contribute to a positive, employee-centric work environment.
- Adapt to Evolving Needs: As technology and work practices evolve, so do the demands on employees’ vision. Employers must stay attuned to these changes and adjust eye care initiatives accordingly. This may involve periodic assessments of existing eye health programmes’ effectiveness and adjustments to address emerging challenges.
- Provide Educational Initiatives: Beyond providing tests and corrective appliances, employers can implement educational initiatives to raise awareness about the importance of eye health. This may include talks from eye health professionals, workshops, or circulating informational resources to empower employees to take proactive steps in caring for their eyes at work and home.
- Create a Culture of Open Communication: Employers should encourage open communication regarding eye health concerns. This can be put into action with regular check-ins, monitoring systems, or designated channels where employees can voice any concerns and seek guidance.
OFI provides detailed Display Screen Equipment risk assessments and assessor training, either online or in person. To learn more about how we can help you ensure the well-being of your employees, refer to our DSE services here.
In Summary
Prioritising the care of eye health in your workplace is an investment in the well-being and performance of your team, especially for DSE users who sit at a desk and work on a screen all day, every day.
Regulation 5 serves as a foundational framework for the kinds of measures you should be taking to make sure your employees are comfortable and experiencing good eye health. You can build upon this to create a vision-friendly workplace that goes beyond compliance and encourages open communication and proactive steps to care for your team’s eye health. Creating this kind of vision-friendly workplace is an essential aspect of the type of all-round employee health and wellbeing care we should all aim to provide.
