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When your drivers are out on the road for long periods of time undertaking courier jobs it’s vital that they are working with optimal eyesight. Naturally it is hoped that individual drivers will raise any concerns that they might have about their vision with you, but ultimately it is incumbent upon you to keep this important issue at the forefront of your thinking. With this in mind, arm yourself with the facts by reading this useful guide to what all employers need to know about their drivers’ eyesight. Employer Responsibilities The Health and Safety Executive is categorical on this matter: upholding your duty-of-care means you have to ensure that all your employees are fit to drive either company vehicles or their own while they are working for you. It’s All About Safety A driver with good optical health is going to be a safer driver – that’s good for them, for you and for your company. Regular Eye Examinations Regular eye examinations can help pick up on any gradual decline in optical health that might otherwise go undetected by a driver as they carry out courier jobs for you. As well as testing eyesight performance, eye examinations can also discover any conditions, such as glaucoma, cataracts and retinal detachment. Detecting Other Health Issues A thorough eye examination can help to diagnose other health problems such as diabetes, raised blood pressure and thyroid problems – by discovering any issues as soon as possible, you can plan healthcare for an employee, reduce the length of sick leave and reduce the number of courier jobs your workers are missing out on. It Won’t Hit You in the Pocket Do your research well and you can find an eyecare scheme which can cover a minimum of 5 employees and cost a mere £17. It Could Save You Money If you fail to provide a comprehensive and regular eyecare scheme, you run the risk of incurring significant uninsured losses, from fines and lost time to sick pay and increased premiums and so on. On the other hand, putting in place a fixed eyecare policy for your drivers could result in reduced insurance premiums. How Often Should You Test? Contrary to popular belief, eye tests are not needed every year – every two years should be sufficient in most cases. However, for drivers over the age of 45 an annual check-up is recommended. Make Your Employees Aware An eyecare policy – however thorough it may be – is only going to be effective if your drivers are aware of it and the benefits it can bring them. Ensuring that they know to inform you of any changes they may have noticed is vital. Consider putting on a special information event, creating an information pack for each driver or inviting a local optician in to answer questions and to offer an on-the-spot screening service. Author Plate Norman Dulwich is a correspondent for Courier Exchange, the world's largest neutral trading hub for same day courier jobs in the express freight exchange industry. Over 4,500 transport exchange businesses are networked together through their website, trading jobs and capacity in a safe 'wholesale' environment.
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