Safety glasses cost money, we get that. But this investment is much more profitable than you might think. Prescription safety glasses not only protect workers' eyes, but also help prevent industrial accidents and save costs. In this article, you'll learn how a prescription safety glasses not only increases safety, but also offers financial benefits for companies.

Reduction of accidents and absenteeism

Prescription safety glasses provide essential protection against eye injuries caused by dust, sparks or chemicals, for example. According to the Occupational Accidents Monitor 2023 33% of eye injuries in the Netherlands resulted in hospital admissions, often as a result of insufficient eye protection.

Eye injuries can lead to long-term absenteeism, high medical costs and loss of productivity. By investing in prescription safety glasses, employers can significantly reduce the risk of such accidents and the associated costs. This includes weeks of absenteeism, which directly affects business operations. A pair of €100 - €300 glasses is a small price compared to the costs of absenteeism and recovery.

Avoiding fines and legal costs

Employers are required to provide a safe work environment, including providing personal protective equipment (PPE) such as safety glasses. According to the Working Conditions Act, eye protection is mandatory in risky situations. The Labour Inspectorate can impose heavy fines if these obligations are not complied with. These fines may vary depending on the seriousness of the offence and the number of employees involved. In serious cases, this can amount to thousands of euros and can lead to legal action or even closure of the workplace.

Source: Occupational Accidents Monitor 2023, paragraph 1.4, 26/08/2024.

Reimbursement by the employer

According to the Working Conditions Act, if eye protection is necessary due to working conditions, an employer must pay the costs of reimburse the safety glasses. This also applies to prescription safety glasses. When exposure to sunlight or hazardous substances cannot be prevented, safety glasses are considered PPE and the employer is responsible for the costs. Some companies even offer fees for eyeglasses that can be considered workwear.

Costs versus savings

The price of prescription goggles is usually between €100 and €300. Although this seems like an investment, it provides significant long-term cost savings by:

• Reduced health costs: Eye injuries often result in high medical costs. By offering the right protection, these costs are avoided.
• Increased productivity: Employees who feel safe work more efficiently and are better able to concentrate.
• Fewer absenteeism days: By preventing eye injuries, absenteeism days are limited, which reduces the costs of replacement and loss of production.

FAQs

Are prescription safety glasses reimbursed?

Yes, if the safety glasses fall under PPE, the employer is obliged to reimburse them. This also applies to glasses with reading areas or progressive lenses.

How much do prescription goggles cost?

The costs range between €100 and €300, depending on the lenses and coatings chosen. However, this investment does not outweigh the savings on absenteeism and accidents. Check out our full price list for the exact cost of our prescription safety glasses. Prescription safety glasses are a small investment with major benefits. Avoiding accidents, medical costs and absenteeism days provides considerable cost savings op for companies. Visit our safety eyewear page for more information.