Page 24 - OHS, April/May 2025

P P E : V I S I O N P R O T E C T I O N
A Clear Path to Eye Safety: Making Prescription Safety Eyewear
Easy to Access
How improving access, streamlining processes, and adopting digital solutions can increase
compliance and reduce injury risks in prescription safety eyewear programs.
BY HAL WILSON
pose a signifi cant risk. Th e National Eye Institute reports that
In industrial and hazardous work environments, eye injuries
the majority of eye injuries can be prevented by wearing appro-
priate protective eyewear. Despite the clear benefi ts, many orga-
nizations inadvertently create barriers that hinder employee access
to safety eyewear. To ensure the success of a prescription safety eye-
wear program, prioritizing ease of access and availability is crucial.
Without these elements, even the most well-intentioned programs
can fail, leaving employees vulnerable to preventable injuries.
The Role of Accessibility in Safety
A prescription safety eyewear program is only eff ective if employ-
ees can easily obtain and consistently wear their protective lenses.
Limited access due to bureaucratic red tape, restricted approval
processes, or supply shortages can signifi cantly reduce compli-
ance. If employees cannot immediately access the eyewear they
need, they may resort to working without protection, leading to
unnecessary risks and potential injuries.
For a program to be successful, safety eyewear must be available
24/7 to all employees, including those working in the fi eld or in re-
mote locations. Any delays or complications in obtaining eyewear un-
dermine the program’s purpose and put workers at unnecessary risk.
Pitfalls of Using Fax or Forms
Programs based on fax methods (despite their age, fax machines
remain prevalent in healthcare and eyecare for transmitting pa-
tient information) or programs that use forms—even electronic
ones—reduce accessibility and contribute to delays. Traditional fax
transmissions do not use encryption, making it easier for hackers
to intercept and access the transmitted data. Paper (and some elec-
tronic) forms lack encryption, meaning any data on them is readily
accessible if the forms fall into the wrong hands.
■ HIPAA Violations: In the United States, the Health Insur-
ance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) sets strict guide-
lines for the protection of PHI. Using insecure methods to trans-
mit PHI can lead to violations and heft y fi nes.
■ PCI DSS Non-Compliance: Th e Payment Card Industry
Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) mandates secure handling of
credit card information. Insecure transmission methods can result
in non-compliance and signifi cant fi nancial penalties.
■ Forms are not Real-Time. Th e contents of faxed or up-
loaded forms must be re-keyed into another closed system that
introduces delays and the potential for errors.
Eliminating Bureaucratic Barriers
A common pitfall in prescription safety eyewear programs is ex-
cessive administrative control. While some oversight is necessary,
ztony1971/stock.adobe.com
complex approval processes—such as requiring managerial authori-
zation for lens upgrades or specifi c frame selections—introduce un-
necessary obstacles. Employees should be able to access their protec-
tive eyewear without navigating a maze of paperwork and approvals.
Organizations should strive for simple, clear, and consistent
policies, such as:
■ Providing a standard benefi t (e.g., “One pair per year” or a
fl at dollar amount employees can use toward their eyewear).
■ Off ering a well-curated, up-to-date catalog of safety-ap-
proved prescription eyewear options.
■ Eliminating reimbursement processes where employees
must pay in advance and wait weeks for reimbursement instead of
using direct billing.
■ Ensuring that employees can replace damaged or lost eye-
wear without undue delays.
■ An easy way for employees to view and monitor their benefi t
period and understand when their benefi t period begins and ends.
The Impact of Availability on Compliance
Employees are more likely to wear safety eyewear when it is read-
ily available and suits their needs. Off ering customization op-
tions—such as anti-fog coatings, transition lenses, non-conductive
or lightweight frames—encourages consistent use throughout the
workday. If employees feel uncomfortable with their eyewear, they
are less likely to wear it consistently, increasing the risk of injury.
Secure online ordering systems can signifi cantly reduce the
security risks associated with transmitting PHI and credit card in-
formation. Implementing digital solutions not only ensures com-
pliance with regulatory requirements but also protects employees’
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