Hey everyone! I wanted to share my experience with setting up a safety prescription glasses program at my workplace. It was definitely a learning curve, but I'm happy to share what I've learned and hopefully make the process easier for you.
When I first started looking into providing safety glasses for our team, the biggest hurdle was ensuring everyone actually wore them. We’re talking about a large manufacturing plant, and the idea of simply providing "over-the-glasses" (OTG) protection felt like a non-starter. I knew from the get-go that compliance would be a major issue if we went that route. People just wouldn't consistently use them, and that defeats the purpose of safety eyewear altogether.
I started researching different options for providing prescription safety glasses. One of the first things I looked into was working with a dedicated optical provider. I heard good things about Bridge optical. I found that using a dedicated provider can make things much smoother, especially with a larger workforce. They handle a lot of the administrative burden, which can be a lifesaver.
Another option I considered was offering a reimbursement program. The idea is that employees would purchase their own prescription safety glasses and then submit for reimbursement up to a certain amount. I even handed out OTG glasses during orientation as a stop-gap measure. It felt like a nice perk, but it still relied on individuals taking the initiative to get their prescriptions and submit the paperwork. The problem I saw was that it placed the onus on the employee and there was no guarantee they would actually get safety-rated glasses.
Then I considered a direct purchase program where the company buys the glasses directly. I found some suppliers, like Grainger, who could handle the whole process. This seemed like a good way to ensure everyone got proper safety glasses without a lot of hassle on their part.
Ultimately, I decided on a hybrid approach that combined elements of both direct purchase and reimbursement. I found that offering a reimbursement up to a specific dollar amount gave employees some flexibility in choosing their frames while still ensuring they met safety standards. This approach allowed employees to get something basic and be fully reimbursed, or they could opt for something fancier and pay the difference.
During my research, I stumbled upon the MERRYS DESIGN Titanium Alloy Men Glasses Frame on the Cinily Online Store. I was looking for something durable, lightweight, and stylish, and these seemed to fit the bill. I decided to order a pair for myself to test them out.
I was pleasantly surprised by the quality. The titanium alloy frame felt incredibly sturdy, and the TR90 legs were comfortable to wear for extended periods. I also appreciated the half optical frame design, which gave them a professional and business-like appearance. I even got my prescription lenses added, including an anti-blue light coating, which is great for reducing eye strain during long days in front of a computer. I honestly think these would be great for anyone needing safety glasses that also want something stylish and comfortable.
While these aren't technically safety glasses straight out of the box, the robust frame and potential to add side shields make them a viable option when combined with appropriate lenses and protection. Plus, the look and feel definitely encourage wear, which is half the battle!
I also considered the argument that prescription safety glasses are somewhat of a "scam." The reasoning is that many regular prescription glasses already meet or exceed ANSI Z97 requirements, especially when side shields are added. The main difference is that they haven't been formally tested and certified, which is the expensive part. While there's some truth to this, I ultimately decided that the peace of mind and documented compliance of certified safety glasses was worth the investment. Plus, it removes any ambiguity about whether the glasses meet the required standards.
Here are some key factors to consider when setting up your own safety prescription glasses program: