**186.1** **PURPOSE** To establish requirements and responsibilities for
obtaining prescription safety eyeglasses at Government expense.

**186.2** **DEFINITION** Safety glasses are single vision, bifocal and
trifocal lenses in glass, scratch resistant coated plastic or
polycarbonate, with frames, complying with American National Standards
Institute (ANSI) Z87.1-1989 and OSHA 1910.133.

**186.3** **POLICY** Employees who are assigned duties which are
potentially hazardous to the eyes may be provided one pair of safety
eyeglasses per each 12 month period at Government expense. If
correction-type lenses are needed, the employee is responsible for the
professional eye examination. (Note: Aircraft patrol observers will be
provided an examination at Government expense). The Government
reimburses the employee, up to the negotiated amount, for the glasses
plus any special fitting charges.

**186.4** **ELIGIBILITY**

> **A. Mandatory Use of Protective Eyewear**. Protective eyewear is
> mandatory for employees performing duties or while in the proximity of
> activities which present a recognized hazard to the eyes. Supervisors
> may direct the use of protective eyewear for employees engaged in
> other activities where there is a potential for eye injury.
>
> **B. Employees who are required to use protective eyewear** and who
> wear corrective lenses while performing their duties may be given
> authorization to buy ANSI/OSHA approved corrective lens safety
> glasses. Based on supervisory authorization and proper documentation,
> the employee will be reimbursed up to the negotiated amount stated in
> Section 186.5A for the glasses and frames after ordering and fitting.

**186.5** **REIMBURSEMENT RATES**

> **A. The Government\'s maximum share** applied to actual reimbursement
> for corrective lenses, frames, side shield, and carry case shall be:
>
> [Single Vision]{.underline} [Bifocal]{.underline}
> [Trifocal]{.underline}
>
> \$104.00 \$132.00 \$161.00
>
> **B. Reimbursement for special fitting** shall include all reasonable
> costs billed by the optometrist/optician to comply with OSHA/ANSI and
> prescription requirements and ensure satisfactory customer fit.

**186.6** **RESPONSIBILITIES**

> **A. Supervisors** determine employee eligibility and authorize
> reimbursement for safety eyeglasses by signing a Cashier Reimbursement
> Voucher/Accountability Report (OF-1129e).
>
> **B. Employees** obtain form BPA F 5480.11e, Verification of
> Prescription and Fitting, from their administrative personnel for
> ordering eyeglasses. The form is taken to an optometrist (or
> ophthalmologist). Employees must have an eye examination at their own
> expense when obtaining prescription glasses. If an employee has had a
> recent eye examination, the prescription may be filled by a dispensing
> optician or the same optometrist without another examination.
> Following the examination and subsequent fitting, completed forms are
> returned to the administrative personnel. The employee is responsible
> for paying the optometrist bill for glasses and fitting.
>
> **C. Upon receipt and fitting of the eyeglasses**, the optometrist
> signs and dates form BPA F 5480.11e, verifying that the lenses conform
> to prescription, that the eyeglasses have been properly fitted, and
> that the lenses and frames meet all applicable ANSI/OSHA standards. If
> the fitting is done by a different optometrist, both signatures are
> required. The optometrist/optician will bill the employee directly.
>
> **D. Administrative personnel** furnish Form BPA F 5480.11e to the
> employee with instructions to complete and obtain signatures. A Form
> OF-1129e is prepared and given to the employee for completion and
> signature.

1\. Upon completion, the administrative personnel retain a copy of the
completed BPA F 5480.11e with copy of vendor invoice.

> 2\. The employee takes the approved original OF-1129e, and BPA F
> 5480.11e, with a copy of the vendor invoice attached, to a BPA cashier
> for reimbursement or mail to KFRD-2 for check reimbursement.

**186.7** **REPLACEMENT FOR LOST OR DAMAGED EYEGLASSES** If an employee
loses or damages safety eyeglasses in performance of duties, a new pair
may be issued, up to a negotiated amount, if the circumstances are
established and replacement is approved by the employee's supervisor. If
an employee has had a recent eye examination, the administrative
personnel will authorize the replacement glasses using the current
prescription. The employee's optometrist will sign and date the BPA form
as described in section 186.6C.

**186.8 ACCOUNT CHARGES** Costs under this program are charged to the
employee\'s organization and the appropriate work order.

**186.9** **GLASSES NOT COVERED UNDER THIS POLICY** BPA will not pay for
sunglasses; however tinted prescription lenses are approved. Employees
who do not have a need for corrective-type lenses can order approved eye
protection from the Warehouse.

**186.10** **REFERENCES**

> **A. BPA Accident Prevention Manual**

# Safety and Health Program Handbook