Certification Services Division

Midsummer House
Riverside Way, Bedford Road
Northampton, NN1 5NX
United Kingdom

Tel: +44(0)1604-438-300.
E-mail: [email protected]

PSL/44 VISION REQUIREMENTS – Issue 17

Dated 1st January 2018
Implementation date 1st February 2018

All PCN candidates and holders of PCN certification shall have natural or corrected vision satisfying the
following minimum requirement:

PCN will recognise the Tumbling E Chart as a satisfactory near vision test please refer to BS EN ISO 18490
previously NANDTB 24 which has been superseded http://www.eminspection.co.uk/visiontests/. (Existing
documentation or Tumbling E vision test charts that continue to state NANDTB/24 remain valid but ISO 18490
is the standard that must be adhered to.)
The candidate shall provide documented evidence of satisfactory vision in accordance with the following
requirements:
A. Corrected or uncorrected near-vision acuity shall permit reading a minimum of Times Roman N4.5
or equivalent letters (having a vertical height of not more than 1.6 mm – see note 1) at not less than
30 cm.
B. Colour vision (see note 2) shall be sufficient that the candidate can distinguish contrast between the
colours or shades of grey used in the NDT method concerned as specified by the employer see
PSL/44 ANNEX A for employer guidance.
Subsequently to certification, the tests of visual acuity shall be carried out at least annually. Records of tests
shall be retained by the employer or responsible agency and provided to PCN upon request. Failure to do so
will invalidate all PCN certification.
NOTE 1. Laminated hand held vision test charts are available from a number of suppliers, including the
Institute of Optometry*. Further information may be obtained from the Certification Services
Division of the British Institute of NDT. *http://www.ioosales.co.uk/html/practice/eye06B.html
NOTE 2. All candidates and holders of PCN certification will be required to have had colour perception
assessed by the Ishihara 24 plate test. For VT and CRT the candidate is usually required to undergo
both the Ishihara and Grey scale tests, however, the employer will need to confirm with the AQB.
For Film RT and Film RI the grey scale may be sufficient without the need for the Ishihara plate test,
this shall be confirmed by the employer. The test is required every five years. In the event that a
colour perception deficiency, indicated by misreading any of the first 17 plates, is detected
during the Ishihara test, a further 'trade test' is to be carried out by the employer to ascertain
whether the detected colour perception deficiency affects the individual's ability to perform the
NDT for which he is certificated. This trade test is to be documented and the record of the test
made available to BINDT upon request.
In such cases as a new medical issue arises candidates are required to undergo further eye examinations as
some medical conditions such as diabetes or a major medical condition can affect both near vision and colour
perception.
Forms overleaf may be used to record the results of near vision, colour perception and contrast tests.
BINDT accepts that a *nominated official of an Authorised Qualifying Body, a PCN Level 3 certificate holder or
other medical professional, having documented proof of satisfactory training in the administration of the test,
and is medically recognised as competent to conduct such tests for candidates and holders of PCN certification.
*nominated officials must provide proof of appropriate training upon request by BINDT.

The British Institute of Non-Destructive Testing is an accredited certification body offering personnel and quality management
systems assessment and certification against criteria set out in international and European standards through the PCN Certification
Scheme.
© 2019 The British Institute of Non-Destructive Testing. All Rights Reserved.
This document is protected by UK and international copyright laws and remains the intellectual property of BINDT.
Reproduction and distribution of the document without the written permission of BINDT is strictly prohibited
 RECORD OF VISION TESTS

Name of individual tested: _____________________________ PCN number: _________________

Address: ________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

Telephone: ____________________________ Email: ____________________________________

Employer: _______________________________________________________________________

RESULT OF NEAR VISION TEST

(record the smallest text capable of being read).
CORRECTED UNCORRECTED

Times Roman N: ___________, or Times Roman N: ___________, or

Jaeger number: ___________ Jaeger number: ____________

RESULT OF NEAR VISION TEST – Tumbling E Option

(candidates should correctly identify 5 out of 5 on each line, and lines 1-9)
CORRECTED UNCORRECTED

Line 1 Pass/Fail Line 1 Pass/Fail

Line 2 Pass/Fail Line 2 Pass/Fail
Line 3 Pass/Fail Line 3 Pass/Fail
Line 4 Pass/Fail Line 4 Pass/Fail
Line 5 Pass/Fail Line 5 Pass/Fail
Line 6 Pass/Fail Line 6 Pass/Fail
Line 7 Pass/Fail Line 7 Pass/Fail
Line 8 Pass/Fail Line 8 Pass/Fail
Line 9 Pass/Fail Line 9 Pass/Fail

RESULT OF ISHIHARA COLOUR VISION TEST

Record the Ishihara test results, and indicate if an alternative (trade) test is suggested.

Please state number of Ishihara Record of Ishihara plates failed (the test administrator may,
plates correctly interpreted: Failure optionally, provide comment on the nature of colour perception
to record this will result in vision test deficiency):
being rejected

(MINIMUM OF FIRST 17)

RESULT OF GREY SCALE TEST

Which grey scale test was used? Number of correct readings given for Dr Kolbl ONE/TUV/BV Eye
Examination (20 minimum)
Pass/Fail (delete as appropriate)
The Skerik grey scale test: - Contrast modification – It is required that
the contrast of 2% and above shall be clearly discriminated on pattern
while contrast of less than 1% shall not be visible.
Pass/Fail (delete as appropriate)

PSL 44 Page 2 of 3 Issue 17 dated 1st January 2018

 RESULT OF COLOUR VISION TRADE TEST (WHERE NECESSARY - SEE NOTE 2)
The employer should state the NDT methods and associated colours used by the employee:

NDT METHOD ASSOCIATED COLOURS COLOUR CONTRAST DETECTION

DIFFERENTIATION

RESULT OF OPTIONAL FAR VISION TEST

CORRECTED UNCORRECTED
Corrected far vision acuity shall have a minimum Uncorrected far vision acuity shall have a
value of 0.8 (or imperial measurement 6/7.5 i.e. the minimum value of 0.8 (or imperial measurement
candidate will be able to read the characters on the 6/7.5 i.e. the candidate will be able to read the
line marked 7.5 M-units at a distance of 6 metres). characters on the line marked 7.5 M-units at a
distance of 6 metres).
Pass/Fail
(delete as appropriate) Pass/Fail
(delete as appropriate)
DETAILS OF PERSON CARRYING OUT AND RECORDING ANY OF THE ABOVE TESTS
Signature: Name of tester:

Date of test:

Expiry date of test:

(note: maximum 12 months from date of test but
may be prior to that)

Organisation and telephone number (please use official stamp if available):

PSL 44 Page 3 of 3 Issue 17 dated 1st January 2018