WHY IS THIS KEYSTONE EYE TEST REQUIRED?

This keystone eye test forms part of checking that employees are fit for their particular work. It confirms that they are healthy to work and are free of any illness or other health issues or impairments, that may affect their ability to perform their work tasks correctly and safely.

WHY IS THIS KEYSTONE EYE TEST IMPORTANT?

This keystone eye test is important because it performs a vision screener to assess distance, near and intermediate vision, visual fields, visual acuity colour vision and depth perception of an employee.

This allows an employer to know if the employee is healthy and suitable to conduct the work that is required of them. This is important because certain work tasks may require certain physical capabilities in order for the work to be conducted safely (both for themselves and for those around them). The keystone eye test allows these basic capabilities to be determined, allowing an employer to make an informed decision about whether the employee is capable or not and so whether they will work safely or not.

In certain cases, such as in construction work, this keystone eye test and its associated Annexure 3 form, are an important requirement to confirm the suitability of construction employees working on-site.

In cases where fitness or suitability for purpose issues may occur, this keystone eye test may be important as evidence to show the workplace suitability of employees for work, where legal concerns or financial claims may be involved. 

KEYSTONE EYE TEST FREQUENCY

This keystone eye test needs to be completed according to the following frequency:

Entry Medical - Initially, as an entry keystone eye test, when an employee either joins the company or prior to when they are due to start the type of work that requires the full medical examination.

Monitoring - A keystone eye test should then be conducted on an annual basis to confirm the individual is still healthy and fit for work and has not been affected in any way by the work being performed.

Exit Medical - Finally, an exit keystone eye test must be completed when the employee either completes the type of work they are doing or when they leave the company.

VALIDITY

This keystone eye test needs to be conducted by a certified eye specialist. A proper certificate must be issued, confirming the test results of the individual and this certificate must be kept on record and carefully controlled.

Access to these medical details is strictly limited because they are confidential and personal in nature. Any access by non-authorised persons will need the signed consent of the individual to whom the certificate applies to.

HOW DOES THIS WORK AS A CONTROL MEASURE?

In the hierarchy of controls, this keystone eye test forms part of the administrative control measures which should be in place to ensure that employees are fit for the physical work requirements that may be expected of them. This keystone eye test on records the details of an employee's physical appropriateness and suitability and provides evidence of control measure checks for the safe use of persons in the workplace.

KEYSTONE EYE TEST CONTENTS

This keystone eye test (entry medical and exit medical) includes the following;

Eye Test

Medical History

OTHER FULL MEDICAL DOCUMENTATION

In certain work applications, further documentation maybe required and may form part of the keystone eye test:

Food handling work may require a food handler questionnaire to be completed.

Construction work will require an Annexure 3 form.