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Posted By john cornhill
can anyone help? employee has requested to use battery power scooter at work instead of his wheel chair. this is likely to increase risk to pedestrians and also could cause concern of will the scooter be maintained to appropriate standard to eliminate risk e.g. braking wheels, fire risk etc. Would like to be possitive with our approach to this matter.
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Posted By Mike Draper
I would suggest contacting Access to Work, part of the DWP. They can probably advise you best as to what you need to do and if there are cost implications (unlikely since the individual already uses a wheelchair) may be able to help.
However, in principle if;
- the equipment was of an adequate standard when originally supplied (e.g. CE marked)
- the equipment has been and will continue to be maintained in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions (e.g. a maintenance log is available)
- the user is competent in the use of the equipment (e.g. they had some training from the original supplier or a government scheme)
- the user is aware of the risk that they may present to others (e.g. you have done a risk assessment and talked to them about it)
- the user has some form of liability insurance (e.g. as would probably be required if the scooter were used on the highway)
- you have talked to other workers to make them aware of the situation and the risks that this might present
- you have taken account of any views expressed by other workers and made any reasonable adjustments that they may require
then you probably have pretty much all of the bases covered.
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Posted By John Webster
John
I think the best starting point is to view the chair as an extension of the person and for everyone in the organisation to take a "what can we do to help facilitate this employee's use of a powered chair?" approach.
If charging equipment is to be used, treat this in the same way that you would treat other employees bringing in their own electric kettles and radios etc.
If there are blind turnings etc, a few carefully placed mirrors would help the employee to safely negotiate them. You will need to ensure corridors are kept free from obstructions, and adopting a simple "keep left" policy should avoid the head on collisions.
My one proviso. Some scooters are larger than others. Some intended primarily for "road" use are just too big to manouvre in typical "DDA compliant" corridors and doorways. "Reasonable adjustment" should not mean having to widen doors to make provision for an overlarge scooter/chair where a smaller one is adequate.
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Posted By JWG
We've introduced motor scooters into our hospital to aide infirm outpatients going to clinic (assisted by trained volunteers at all times).
We are using the more robust ones that can be used outside. Apart from the usual access/egress, overturning, pedestrians, stationary objects, vehicular traffic and inclement weather issues that were assessed the manufacturers guidelines suggested a maximum incline for the scooter to be used. Presumably due to the tipping risk. We have a couple corridors that are very close to the mark.
I've seen disability access ramps (not on my site) that at a guess are beyond the manufacturers recommendations for our scooters to be used.
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Posted By Lynne Ratcliffe There is a standard specification for the dimensions of a wheelchair that is referred to in the building regulations (specifically Part M is most appropriate when dealing with disability access issues), and this will almost certainly be exceeded by the dimensions of the employees mobility scooter. I have an image that gives standard wheelchair sizes (will email direct) Furthermore, mobility scooters can be classed as outdoor vehicles, which is why it can be legitimate for a shop owner to refuse access (though not service) to an individual who uses a mobility scooter under Part 3 of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (DDA), which relates to the provision of goods and services. Health and Safety legislation will always take precedent over DDA, for reasons that are obvious. The issue that needs to be looked at here is if the employers refusal results in detriment for a reason relating to the employees disability. Based on the facts presented here, the only detriment that a refusal would amount to is a result of the employee's personal choice. However, the employer should consider contacting Access to Work for assistance, as if the employee feels that manually propelling themselves around the office is too strenuous, AtW will be able to make sensible and informed suggestions to overcome the problem. Useful information on a variety of equality issues can be obtained from Equality Direct, whose contact info can be found at http://www.equalitydirect.org.uk/
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Posted By phil beresford
Do you know the weight these things can be very heavy and this might be a problem.
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Posted By Alan Woodage
John, further to Phil above referring to weight, also give consideration to the impact of the vehicle on any edge protection around voids, stairwells and changes in levels. To clarify the weight of buggy + person x Speed of vehicle = an impact velocity above the standard design loads for edge protection, balustrades, glass screens or worse still curtain walling etc. This may not be a problem dependant on the environment the employee works in but it's worth consideration.
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Posted By John Johnston Hey John, Have you thought about having an access audit carried out as it is very difficult to come to any conclusions without knowing how the individual uses the building/s? The access audit will highlight any issues you have within the building relating to fire safety and evacution procedures, circulation, widths of doors, the need to alter any existing work methods and sometimes even relocation of the person in question to name but a few. I would recommend you contact the Disability Rights Commission who have plenty of information on their website here: http://www.drc-gb.org/bu...dservices/employment.aspYou can also browse the National Register of Access Consultants website to make sure you find a registered access consultant/auditor if you decide to have an audit carried out. http://www.nrac.org.uk/I hope this helps. Very best regards, John
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