Payment for prescription safety glasses

NOTICE: This is an OSHA Archive Document, and may no longer represent OSHA Policy. It is presented here as historical content, for research and review purposes only.

May 9, 1990

Mr. Benjamin Schneider
[Recipient address omitted]
Dear Mr. Schneider:

Your letter of March 3, addressed to the Office of Information of the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA), has been referred to my office for response. Please excuse the delay in responding.

You requested an interpretation of the OSHA standard covering personal protective equipment, particularly as it pertains to the question of who should pay for an employee's prescription lens safety glasses, the employer or the employee. This question has been raised several times since the inception of OSHA and it has normally been considered a labor/management relations matter, resolved through formal or informal negotiation between the affected parties.

Neither section 29 CFR 1910.132 nor .133 contains any statement regarding who will pay for safety protective equipment. However, OSHA conducted a recent hearing on proposals to revise existing OSHA standards covering personal protective equipment. One of the issues discussed at the hearing concerned who should bear the cost of safety equipment necessary to protect employees during work situations. We do not expect a formal resolution of this issue in the near future. Until the issue is resolved, we suggest that you continue your dialogue with your employer and emphasize the nature of the work you do and the necessity of wearing eye protection that does not distort your vision. It is important to note, however, that wearing goggles (meeting OSHA standards) over prescription eyewear does meet OSHA requirements.

I hope the above has been of some assistance to you, but should you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact my office.

Sincerely,

Patricia K. Clark Director Designate Directorate of Compliance Programs