Posted By David J Bristow
Hello Colleagues

I have a deaf client whose temporary (3 weeks) work placement involves working in a warehouse with forklift trucks driving around.

I am after, if there is such a thing on the market, a device that can be fitted to a forklift, which would emit a signal to a vibrating pad, which the client will wear, when the forklift is within a given distance to the client.

I suppose it would be a similar device to the tagging that is used for those persons on remand/ASBO’s, but would work in the opposite way.

Before I approach REMAP to enquire whether they can manufacture such a device I have to be sure that I am not able to buy a product “off the shelf”.

Do you know of such a device that may be on the market?

Have you had a similar problem?

If so how did you resolve the issue?

This device is required in addition to other control measures that have been instigated.

One last point – if the client is successful over these 3 weeks then there is an employment opportunity for the person. They then may be required to work on their own within part of the warehouse during the course of a shift.

Your replies are eagerly awaited and I thank you in anticipation of your assistance with the above.

Kind regards



David B

Posted By Dave Joyce
Try contacting Blick UK
http://www.blick.co.uk/ they may be able to help

Posted By Debbie Shepherd
Hi David,

Being Deaf myself I have a number of helpful gadgets, but have not heard of one that fulfills your specific requirement. RNID certainly have a large range of equipment and I think you may be talking about an alerter pager not a hearing aid. I would also suggest you contact your local Access to Work advisor http://www.jobcentreplus...abledPeople/AccesstoWork
who can provide advice and assistance and if necessary a workplace assessment which could result in full or part funding of any necessary equipment should the person become permanently employed.

Do your FLTs have flashing beacons? Deaf people are generally more aware visually, as well as being more sensitive to vibrations from equipment and vehicles. It's a difficult one and I hope one of the key things you will ensure happens is to alert all FLT drivers that the person is Deaf.

Another thought - have you thought about how the person will hear the fire alarm - I have a vibrating pager for this funded through access to work.

Posted By duncan abbott
This is an example of what can be done, and is taken from an article I wrote on undertkain personal risk assessments for disabled workers (April issue of Health and Safey at Work).

If you want a copy of the article let me know.

Duncan

Duncan Abbott
Ergonomist
www.enricosmog.com

Case study 2: hearing impairment

Paul suffers from a severe hearing impairment and was taken on as a material handler by his employer. Not realising the limitation of his hearing, the employer was concerned about Paul’s safety when working around or operating forklift trucks and other heavy equipment.

A number of solutions were implemented. A path of travel for forklifts, vehicles and heavy equipment was created using tape and paint. All drivers were told that they must stop at intersections. Flashing lights and mirrors were installed on the forklift, plus mirrors were placed around the work environment. Paul was asked to wear a vest to alert others to his hearing loss and was given a vibrating pager that could be activated by another one touch pager installed on the forklift. This way Paul could be alerted to the danger. A CCTV camera was installed on the forklift to enhance the workers’ ability to visually assess their environment.

It is essential that management and supervisors participate in this type of workplace adaptation in order to enforce rules, in particular for stopping at intersections and for ensuring the worker wears a vest and carries a pager. If accidents are to be avoided and adaptations are to succeed, then clear communication is required. This case demonstrates that health and safety concerns can be overcome when employing disabled workers.