Prescription Safety Eyewear for Employees and Retirees

WHAT

TVA provides prescription protective eyewear to employees who work in environments that may be hazardous to eyes. Employees and retirees may purchase the same protective eyewear for their own personal use to prevent injuries.

WHO

All employees whose jobs require that they use prescription protective eyewear.
Other employees and retirees who want to buy prescription protective eyewear at TVA's discounted price.
All employees whose jobs require that they wear tinted or photochromatic eyewear and their supervisor approves the purchases.

WHY

TVA recognizes the importance of eye safety for its employees both at work and on personal time. It is also cost effective to protect employees from eye health hazards by providing medically prescribed safety eyewear.

HOW

Prescription Safety Eyewear Policy
TVA will generally purchase one pair of clear (non-tinted) prescription safety eyewear if required by the employee’s job. Employees whose jobs require them to work primarily outdoors in activities that could be hazardous to their eyes may be furnished either a second pair, one of which is tinted, or one pair with photochromatic lenses (e.g., Transitions or Photogray). Polarized lenses may be approved as needed. Supervisory approval is required for the purchase of all eyewear. Some organizations and work locations may restrict the purchase of safety glasses to those equipped with fixed sideshields. If the employee's eyewear must be replaced because it was lost or damaged on the job or their prescription changed, replacements should be limited to once during a 12-month period (rolling 12-month period) at TVA's expense. TVA Police may have two pairs of glasses, one regular prescription and one prescription sunglasses. TVA does not pay the cost for an employee's examination, prescription, verification of lenses, or the fitting of frames. Also, supervisors must ensure that only employees whose jobs require safety eyewear receive them at TVA's expense.

The employee's organization will pay for the cost of the safety eyewear. Requests must be approved by the supervisor. Employees can access the form directly through the AOSafety website on TVA’s Intranet or they can obtain a copy of the request form from their organization safety eyewear coordinator. The name of the safety eyewear coordinator is available from InsideNet or the Employee Service Center.

Employees who are not required to wear prescription safety eyewear on the job or who want an additional pair may purchase their eyewear at TVA’s discounted price. These purchases are made by accessing AOSafety’s separate Internet site for self-pay or through the safety eyewear coordinator. Employees must use their personal credit card to pay for the eyewear or arrange for other means of paying AOSafety directly.

Retirees may purchase prescription safety eyewear for their own personal use through the TVA contract. Retirees may obtain the order form from AOSafety’s Internet site or from the Employee Service Center. Retirees must use their personal credit card to pay for the eyewear or arrange for other means of paying AOSafety directly.

Employees who infrequently enter eye hazard areas may be provided with non-prescription safety eyewear designed to be worn over the employee’s prescription glasses.

TVA does not provide prescription safety eyewear for contractor personnel working on TVA premises, but each work location provides non-prescription safety eyewear or goggles when the contractor is working in an eye hazardous environment.

ROLES

Employees

Request prescription safety eyewear for work-related use by completing the AOSafety order form through AOSafety’s Internet site or by contacting the Safety Eyewear Coordinator.
Obtain approval from his/her supervisor by signature on AOSafety order form.
Have the site Safety Eyewear Coordinator enter the appropriate TVA Purchasing Card number on the form and fax it to AOSafety.
Request prescription safety eyewear for personal use through AOSafety’s Internet site or from the Safety Eyewear Coordinator.
Arrange for payment to the vendor for non-work related eyewear purchase.

Supervisors

Budget for eyewear and handle administrative work associated with the acquisition of safety eyewear.
Ensure that only employees whose jobs require eyewear for safety reasons acquire the eyewear at TVA's expense.

Safety Eyewear Coordinators

When requested, ensure that the appropriate paperwork is completed and order eyewear.
Review and reconcile TVA Purchasing Card charges for eyewear.

Retirees

Request prescription safety eyewear for personal use by contacting the Employee Service Center or accessing AOSafety website directly.
Make arrangements to pay for the eyewear before it is processed.

Employee Service Center

Answers employee and retiree questions.
Serves as TVA primary point of contact with the vendor.
Upon request, obtains and forwards order form to retirees.

Occupational Health

Administers the prescription safety eyewear program.

RESOURCES

Employee Service Center
Safety Eyewear Coordinators
Occupational Health

HEALTH AND SAFETY
PRACTICE 7

Prescription Safety Eyewear for Employees and Retirees

Last Revised 02/07