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Kansas City Southern is closer to launching a Web-based prescription eyewear program designed to reduce safety equipment costs. Members of the Class I's safety equipment and tools committee are reviewing several vendors' proposals and expect to select a firm soon.

KCS safety officials plan to develop a program that enables employees to go online to find a nearby eyewear store and review available frame styles. The program will be designed to reduce paperwork to a doctor's prescription, increase frame selection, and ensure eyewear has removable side shields and scratch-resistant lenses.

Available only to employees who need safety prescription eyewear for their job, the program will not replace the railroad's existing vision plan for all workers.

After choosing the vendor, committee members plan to pilot the program with some Kansas City, Mo., employees later this year before a proposed Jan. 1 launch. Members also expect to develop a new program for non-prescription eyewear by year end.