As part of an extended duty of care programme, Kingstown Furniture is providing its 26 fleet drivers with free eyesight tests - above and beyond the current legal requirements introduced back in the 1930s. Kingstown is the UK’s leading manufacturer of ready assembled bedroom and lounge furniture and has appointed Specsavers Corporate Eyecare to administer the programme.

Currently, drivers only need to take a simple eye test when they first pass their driving test, which involves reading a number plate at a distance of 20 metres. This test has been deemed inadequate by the EU Parliament and new legislation is set to be introduced in 2011, which will require commercial drivers to have comprehensive eyesight tests every 5 years.

Kingstown is keen to be proactive when it comes to ensuring the safety of its drivers, who drive thousands of miles for the company each year. Mike Morland, Health, Safety and Environmental Manager for Kingstown Furniture Ltd explains:

“Between a quarter and a third of all road traffic accidents are believed to involve drivers that are driving during the course of their work. This is why we decided to implement increased safety measures for our driving staff, well in advance of the new legislation coming into force.”

“The sight tests have been carried out by Specsavers Corporate Eyecare as part of our extended duty of care programme. Along with a number of other measures that we have introduced recently, our commitment towards testing the eyesight of our drivers has helped to reduce our proposed insurance premium increase by 9%.”

Specsavers Corporate Eyecare comments: “We welcome the new legislation that is set to be introduced in 2011 for drivers, as driving demands much more from our eyes than being able to see at long distances. For example, good peripheral vision is required, as is the ability to re-focus between different distances from inside the car to objects on the road.”

“It’s great to see a company such as Kingstown Furniture showing commitment towards testing the eyesight of its driving staff. The benefit of regular eyesight tests can never be over-estimated – especially when your job involves driving regularly. Our clients are finding that implementing regular eyesight tests can be beneficial in a number of ways - from boosting staff morale to reducing insurance premiums.”

With over 30 years’ experience of furniture manufacture, Kingstown is committed to manufacturing high quality bedroom and lounge furniture here in the UK. Kingstown operates with great care for the environment and was recently presented with a Bronze National Recycling Star Award. With extensive, state-of-the art manufacturing facilities in Hull, East Yorkshire, the business is well placed to respond quickly to customer requirements. The business can produce over 300,000 units each year, with over half being delivered direct to the consumer’s home on Kingstown’s own delivery fleet, and has an annual turnover of £26M.

Notes:
Specsavers Corporate Eyecare is the leading provider of eyecare services to the private, public and voluntary sectors
Specsavers Corporate Eyecare offers a range of simple, cost effective services to help employers meet health & safety regulations.
The services include: VDU Eyecare – to help employers comply with the health & safety display screen regulations, Optical Care – a simple way to fulfil health & safety obligations, Safety Eyewear and a Premium Package which offers exclusive deals on glasses for staff.
For more information, visit www.specsavers.com/corporate