Provision of safety glasses, including prescription safety glasses and sunglasses for outdoor workers are categorised as Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) under occupational safety and health legislation. When standard normal safety glasses are unable to be used in conjunction with prescribed contact lenses, or spectacles, prescription safety glasses must be provided by the local faculty, division, office, school, section or centre.
Vision testing is covered under a Medicare subsidy every two years. Employees should check with their health provider for bulk-billing arrangements. Where a UWA employee requires vison testing for the provision of prescription safety glasses and is not eligible to receive a subsidy under Medicare, the testing may be paid for by the faculty/division/office/school/section/centre.
An application must be completed for subsidy – Including a signature of declaration from the employee that the prescribed prescription safety glasses are for performing UWA work and not for non-UWA work/private use.
For advice on interpretation of this guidance contact UWA Safety, Health and Wellbeing on (+61 8) 6488 3938. The Director of Human Resources has the discretion to make determinations in relation to the implementation of this guidance and provision of the subsidy.