The Safety & Workers' Compensation Office frequently
receives questions regarding State of North Carolina policies
and procedures for replacing prescription safety glasses. We have summarized
the information below in the form of questions and answers.
QUESTION
1: The State of NC Prescription Safety Glasses Contract
(effective 2002-2003) lists Prescription Safety Glasses with side shields
as the only prescription safety glasses to be offered and purchased
by state agencies. Was this change (permanently affixed side shields)
made to provide side shields to employees that need them based on the
type of hazards employees face in their work environment as well as
provide an "extra" measure
of protection to employees when only frontal protection is
required?
RESPONSE: OSHA requires side shields on all glasses
used for protection from impact or flying particles.
That is the reason the State Contract for Safety Eyewear now
requires side shields on all prescription safety glasses and
that side shields be permanently attached.
QUESTION 2: May employees
purchase and use prescription safety glasses
without permanently attached side shields when only frontal protection
is required?
RESPONSE: No, employees may not purchase and
use prescription safety glasses without permanently
attached side shields, even if only frontal protection is required.
This is not compliant with ANSI for personal protective eyewear.
QUESTION
3: How often can an employee request and department
purchase new prescription safety glasses for
an employee?
RESPONSE: Neither North Carolina Occupational
Safety and Health Administration (NCOSHA) or
North Carolina Office of State Personnel (NCOSP) identifies a specific
time frame. The frequency with which prescription safety glasses
need replacing depends on such variables as changes in the employee's
job or prescription, or work- related damage
to eyewear. Each department has the responsibility to determine
replacement schedules. At a minimum, new prescription safety glasses
should be purchased when the employee's prescription changes; when
the lenses are scratched; or when the frames
no longer fit properly.
QUESTION 4: Is there a maximum number of prescription safety
glasses an employee may request and receive in
a calendar year?
RESPONSE: There is no established number of prescription
safety glasses an employee may request and receive
in a calendar year. This is departmental decision
and justification. State-wide, most agencies permit departments
to purchase one pair in a fiscal year, or when one of the following
occurs: (1) the employee's prescription changes as noted in a recent
eye examination; (2) the type of personal protective equipment
(PPE) required changes as noted in a recent job hazard assessment
(e.g. tinted lenses or nonconductive frames are needed); or the
glasses become damaged to safety prescription glasses occurs due
to work related activities.
QUESTION 5: Is the frequency determined
by changes in an employee's focal ability (as
demonstrated by an eye exam)?
RESPONSE: Yes.
QUESTION 6: As an option, may
departments require employees to use safety goggles
instead of prescription safety glasses?
RESPONSE: (1) If the PPE Hazard Assessment for
the job identifies safety goggles as required PPE,
and prescription safety glasses are not required
PPE, then the employer does not need to purchase
prescription safety glasses in addition to goggles. (2) If prescription
safety glasses and safety goggles are required PPE for the hazard
(as documented by the job Hazard Assessment, then the prescription
safety glasses would be replaced at the same frequency
as described in responses 3 & 4 above (See Responses 3 & 4).NOTE:
Safety goggles should not be substituted for prescription
safety glasses unless: (1) the employee prefers safety goggles;
or (2) the need for safety glasses is infrequent (e.g. three times
or less) and of short duration (e.g. 15 minutes
or less).
(5/1/03)
