Visual Display Unit vision testing
Statutory Health Surveillance Assessment is provided by the employer under Section 22 of the Safety, Health, and Welfare at Work Act (2005), Tusla is obliged to provide health surveillance assessments to support staff in their roles within the agency. One of these supports includes Baseline Vision Testing.
What is baseline vision testing?
Baseline Vision Testing is for employees who use Display Screen Equipment also known as VDU (Visual Display Unit) for continuous periods of more than one hour per day. (Laptops do not fall under the scope of the Regulations as they are intended for short-term use only and do not meet the basic requirements of the Regulations).
Some DSE users may experience eye fatigue, red or sore eyes, and headaches. Eye fatigue can cause you to adopt awkward postures which may cause discomfort.
Eye strain and fatigue are reduced by having:
- the screen well well-positioned
- suitable lighting conditions
- regular breaks from screen work
Who is it for?
Tusla staff are eligible for this support. It is specifically targeted towards employees
- who must use a VDU for continuous periods of more than one hour per day,
- If you have no choice but to use the DSE to carry out your work,
- If you generally use DSE on a daily basis
Display screen equipment includes PCs and visual display screen equipment.
As a display screen equipment (DSE) user you are entitled to an eye and eyesight test:
- before commencing DSE work
- the DSE Voucher can be accessed every 2 years if required.
- if you experience visual difficulties due to DSE work.
How to access it?
To avail of the baseline vision testing, please contact Health Wellbeing & EAP Service at eap@tusla.ie and please provide – the employee's email address and line manager's email address. A voucher will be issued to the employee's email address, with instructions on how to proceed.
If your eye test shows that you require particular lenses for DSE work, this cost is covered by Tusla, which covers the cost of minimum-requirement frames and lenses. The cost of dealing with more general eye problems not directly related to working with a VDU is a matter for the employee.