24402 PROCEDURE EYESIGHT TESTS. 2. Risk Assessments/Health And Safety Considerations

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1 Version: 11.6 Last Updated: 01/04/14 Review Date: 27/03/15 ECHR Potential Equality Impact Assessment: Low 1. About This Procedure 1.1. This procedure explains the process for providing eyesight test and spectacles for staff that need them to perform their role with the Constabulary. 2. Risk Assessments/Health And Safety Considerations 2.1. The Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992 recommend the provision of regular eyesight tests for staff identified as Display Screen Equipment (DSE) users and the provision of spectacles if required for DSE work. (see H&S Guidance pages for Display Screen Assessment H&S Display Screen Assessments and Training Packages Minimum eyesight standards are set by Hampshire Constabulary for specific roles. Staff in the following roles must have regular eyesight tests and meet minimum eyesight standards. The standards are detailed in appendix A. Police Approved Drivers Police Motorcyclists Vehicle examiners who test drive motorcycles Firearms Officers* Fingerprint Officers Fingerprint Technicians Crime Scene Investigators Facial Imaging Technicians Imaging Technicians Fingerprint Enhancement Officers Chemical Treatment Unit Supervisor Digital Forensics Supervisor Forensic Computer Investigators Police Officer applicants / new recruits * Must have annual eyesight tests Other operational police officers and front-line police staff must purchase spectacles with plastic or shatterproof lenses to ensure adequate protection.

2 2.3. Eyesight Test & Spectacles Eyesight tests and the provision of spectacles will be provided through a voucher scheme with Service Provider Members of staff can obtain the appropriate voucher for use at the Service Provider optician via Employee Self Service Officers / staff are only allowed to make a claim every two years under this procedure unless an ophthalmic optician determines otherwise, or as detailed in this procedure This procedure is the only mechanism whereby the force will fund eyesight tests and spectacles 2.4. Display Screen Equipment Users A member of staff classed as a display screen equipment user must have an eye test soon after commencement in the role, and thereafter at two year intervals or as recommended by the optician Police Approved Drivers All police recruits have an eye test before joining the Constabulary. The Occupational Health team use the optician s report to place the new recruit in one of three categories: a) Unfit to drive a police vehicle or motorcycle or private vehicle for police purposes; b) Fit to drive any police vehicle or private vehicle for police purposes with corrected vision; c) Fit to drive any police vehicle or private vehicle for police purposes without corrected vision Candidates classified as fit to drive who then apply for driving courses will have a Keystone Vision Screening eye test prior to commencement of training. This is arranged via the driving training department Officers authorised to drive police vehicles who suspect that their vision is impaired must report this at once, and attend a

3 Keystone Vision Screening test, arranged via driver training. Where this test suggests impairment, the officer will require an eye test with an optician. The Occupational Health Team will then place the officer in one of the three categories outlined in section based on the optician s report Firearms Officers Firearms officers must have their eyesight checked prior to commencing firearms training and annually thereafter The results of the test will be recorded in their training record. The firearms instructors will check this record against the standards set in Appendix A. If a firearms officer fails to have the eye test annually, they will be removed from firearms duties, until the test is completed Firearms officers who fail to meet the eyesight standards at Appendix A must be removed from firearms duties and referred to Occupational Health Scientific Service Department (SSD) The SSD staff as listed at point 2.2 must take an eyesight test prior to commencing post and must meet the standards outlined in Appendix A. An eyesight test is required thereafter at two year intervals or as recommended by an ophthalmic optician New Recruits Police officer applicants are required to have an eyesight test, and must meet the minimum standards set out in Appendix A 2.9. Laser Surgery Staff undergoing laser surgery must inform their line manager, as there is a strong likelihood of blurring of vision and altered visual acuity in the first 6 weeks post-procedure. The manager may consider recuperative duties in this period if such post-surgical effects impair the staff member s ability to carry out their full job role. Police officers should avoid driving and operational duties that expose them to confrontational situations. In addition, inputting of data requiring a high level of accuracy may need to be restricted or minimised. Staff listed at point 2.2 must attend a follow up

4 eyesight test after this period to ensure their visual acuity is acceptable. A copy of the optician report should be provided in the normal way. 3. Roles And Responsibilities 3.1. Firearms Instructors Have a duty to ensure all officers who are trained to use firearms undergo an annual eye test and meet the standards set out in Appendix A. 4. Administration 4.1. This is covered in the above procedure. 5. Monitoring/Evaluation 5.1. The Occupational Health Manager is responsible for reviewing this procedure. 6. Review 6.1. This procedure will be reviewed every three years, or as and when changes are required. The review will include the most appropriate provision of eyesight tests and spectacles. 7. Related Procedures, Policies And Information Sources 7.1. Related Policies Policy - Police Drivers; Policy - Firearms Operational Use Consultation

5 Consultation undertaken with Unison, Police Federation, Superintendents Association, HBPA, LGBTRG and Finance Firearms Information Sources AD203 Equality Impact Assessment Origin: Human Resources Appendix A Eyesight Standards 1.1 Police Officer Recruits Distant Vision a) Unaided vision no lower than 6/36 binocularly. b) Aided vision - no lower than 6/12 in either eye. Binocular vision must meet 6/6 aided Colour Vision Standards Applicants who have severe colour blindness defects (monochromats) will be rejected. Occupational Health will consider any other levels of colour blindness. In the latter cases any work adjustments/ coping strategies need to be considered to comply with the Equality Act Laser Surgery Applicants will be considered 6 weeks post laser surgery if they meet the visual acuity standards highlighted in above Transferee/ Rejoinee Applicants The entry standards in (1.1) above will be applied to transferee and rejoinee applicants on a medically consider carefully basis to allow for ageing effects upon eyesight to be taken into account.

6 1.3. SSD staff as listed at point 2.2 above Distant Vision No lower than 6/12 in either eye. Binocular vision must meet 6/6 aided Near Vision N5 with or without corrective lenses Firearms Officers All officers applying for a firearms course must receive a colour vision test using City University test 3rd edition plates. There is a requirement to score 10 out of 10 on this test, which is a higher standard than the entry requirement to the Force All firearms officers must have bifocal vision of no less than 6/6 this standard may be achieved by the use of visual aides. In the event of an officer breaking / losing their visual aides they must declare themselves non operational for firearms duties until the visual aides are replaced.