As an employer, do I have to reimburse safety glasses?

Yes, an employer is obliged to ensure the safety and health of employees. If there are risks of contact with substances or materials that may release splinters or other particles, it is essential to provide appropriate eye protection. But what about prescription safety glasses? Does an employer also have to reimburse it? Here we explain it.

What is the legal obligation with regard to safety glasses?

According to the Dutch Working Conditions Decree (article 8.1) an employer is obliged to provide personal protective equipment such as safety glasses when necessary to protect employees against specific risks. This also applies to prescription safety glasses if regular glasses are not sufficient.

When are safety glasses mandatory?

Safety glasses are mandatory when employees work in environments where:

• Contact with splinters, dust particles or hazardous liquids is possible.
• There is a risk of mechanical damage to the eyes from falling or flying objects.

Employers must record these risks in a risk inventory and assessment (RI&E).

EN166 standards and CE marking

The NEN-EN166 standard states the basic properties that all eye protection products must meet. Eye protection consists of two main parts. Namely, the lenses (made of mineral glass or plastic) and the frame (made of metal or plastic). Both parts must meet the inspection requirements to call the glasses safety glasses.

‍

EN 166 specifies the minimum requirements for a series of performance tests. This standard contains a set of requirements that can be considered mandatory for prescription safety glasses. According to the 2018 Working Conditions Guide, frames intended for safety glasses must meet the following requirements:

• General terms and conditions: equipped with safety glass (EN166)
• Mechanical strength (EN 166): drop test with a 43-gram bullet, drop height 130 cm. The requirement must be met at -5 degrees Celsius and 55 degrees.
• Flammability requirement
• Corrosion resistance requirement
• Parts in contact with the skin must not be allergenic or irritating
• The glasses must be easily disinfectable
• The glasses must be able to be adjusted by an optician

If all of the above requirements are met, the frame is approved. The CE mark may be affixed to this approval. Seeh - Hans Anders Zakelijk offers prescription safety glasses with this NEN-EN 166 standard and CE marking. Due to their light weight, these prescription safety glasses are extremely comfortable to wear. The result? A high level of user acceptance.

What is the NEN-EN-ISO 16321 standard for safety glasses?

Since 2024, the EN-EN-ISO 16321 standard in force. This standard harmonizes European and global eye protection standards and replaces the old ones. EN 166 standard, which will remain valid until November 2025 for certification.

Why is this new standard important?

The NEN-EN-ISO 16321 standard has been developed to:

• Uniformity: Creating consistent safety requirements around the world.
• Safety: Stricter impact tests and better protection to ensure.
• Sustainability: To increase scratch resistance and optical clarity, providing longer use and more comfort.

Do I need to switch to the NEN-EN-ISO 16321 standard?

No, you can use existing EN 166 certified keep using glasses until their certificates expire. For new purchases, however, it is smart to choose, among other things, safety glasses that comply with the NEN-EN-ISO 16321 standard, so that you meet the latest requirements.

As an employer, how do you arrange the reimbursement of safety glasses?

According to the Working Conditions Act and article 8.2 of the Working conditions decision employers must reimburse safety equipment if they are necessary to work safely.

Roadmap for employers:

1. Perform a Risk Inventory and Assessment (RI&E)
   Identify workplace risks and determine whether eye protection is necessary. Include these risks in your RI&E.
2. Determine the scheme (budget)
   Set up a plan that meets the needs of your employees and the available budget. Consider options such as an implementation arrangement where specific glasses are fully reimbursed.
3. Facilitate eye exams
   Employees who are at risk should be able to have an eye exam performed. This research helps determine which corrective tools are needed, such as prescription goggles. This can be done with an optician or ophthalmologist.
4. Offer appropriate safety glasses
   Make sure you wear glasses that meet the applicable standards (e.g. EN-EN-ISO 16321) and tailored to the visual needs of your employees.

Do you need help with this? At Seeh, we arrange everything for you: from expert advice and a complete arrangement to eye exams and ordering directly at no cost to your employees. We make it easy. Want to know more? Take contact with us or create a business account.