Occupational Vision Screening for safety-critical work.
Occupational vision screening helps employers assess whether employees have the visual capabilities required for the work they perform. In roles involving driving, machinery, working at height or other safety-critical duties, appropriate vision can form an important part of determining medical fitness and suitable job placement.
IHSS provides occupational vision screening for South African businesses as part of occupational medicals, workplace medical testing and broader medical surveillance programmes. Screening can be selected according to the employee’s role and the visual demands associated with their work.
What does Occupational Vision Screening include?
The type of assessment required should reflect the duties an employee is expected to perform. Depending on the role, occupational vision screening may include:
- Visual acuity testing
- Colour vision testing
- Depth perception
- Peripheral vision assessment
- Driver and operator-specific vision screening
These assessments provide information that can be considered alongside the employee’s medical history, physical examination and other job-specific tests when determining medical fitness.
Vision screening does not replace a comprehensive eye examination where an eye condition or visual concern requires further investigation. Employees with results that require attention may need referral to an appropriate eye-care professional.
Part of a broader Occupational Health Assessment.
Vision is only one aspect of employee medical fitness. Depending on workplace risks and job requirements, screening may be combined with occupational medicals, audiometric testing, occupational spirometry, biological monitoring or other workplace medical testing.
IHSS provides clinic-based, mobile and on-site occupational health services, allowing employers to coordinate appropriate testing around workforce numbers, shifts and operational requirements.
By linking occupational vision screening to the work employees actually perform, employers can obtain relevant information to support appropriate job placement, medical fitness decisions and wider occupational health management.