Posted By NJS Afternoon, Picture the scene: a new school is being built, the fixed furniture is in the process of being ordered, the DDA consultant asks where the adjustable benches for the resistant materials (wood work and metal work) are. We sit down and discuss the health and safety issues of having disabled persons in such areas. wheelchair users cannot reach the lathes. piller drills etc. The DDA guy says we must install ramps to each machine, surely this will be more of a hazard to the non-disabled persons? is there not also an issue with moving away from a machine? Any thoughts?

Posted By NJS pardon my ignorance but what is a D&T advisor?

Posted By NJS I'll have to check on that, thanks Jack. I'll let you know the outcome. NJS

Posted By clairel I thought that the DDA Regs looked at providing what is appropriate and resonable in each circumstance. If the school doesn't generally have disabled pupils then why must they adapt every area to be accessible for a wheelchair. That would be cost prohibitive. If it is a school for disabled pupils then more facilities would be required. However, I also cannot see why you would want ramps to all equipment. There would be better ways of allowing access surely.

Posted By Jack This is a new school, presumably provided for pupils from a fairly wide area, in which it would be reasonable to assume there will be a significant number with disabilities over its likely lifetime(and as far as I am aware the current government policy is one of inclusion rather than segregation in special schools). As it is a new school a number of 'modifications' are reasonable which may not be in an existing school. In practice many existing schools have had to make major and costly modifications when a new pupil with a disability enters a school. Much better to ensure the design includes reasonable measures to address some of the foreseeable needs of prospective students. The DfES guidance documents I cited previously clearly expect new schools to incorporate such features. For example, adjustable height benches, a separate hob and oven allowing easier access to wheelchair users etc. It is unlikely it would be reasonable to provide complete access to all equipment for all disabilities but such access should at least be considered at the design stage. During my time in h&s there have been countless times when I have complained about not being involved at the design stage. I guess those in other fields have made similar complaints. I therefore find it surprising that h&s professionals' first reaction is to find ways of doing nothing.

Posted By Bob Youel this is a prime example of the CDM gap between what the CDMC does/responsibilities are and what the day to operational areas reality are as both a CDMC & H&S adviser should be involved in new build calling in experts e.g. DDA, as needed Time and again the day to day user has to retro fit, at high costs, or leave things out thus carrying the risk because the client has not obtained the all round information that they should have to end up with an operational building etc as many designers / CDMC's do not note to the client that H&S should be included as part of the team from the beginning and many clients do not have competent H&S advisers themselves anyway

Posted By Della Pearlman Just a quick note to say that BB 77 has now been replaced by BB 102 Designing for disabled children and children with special educational needs - Guidance for mainstream and special schools (which you can download from http://www.teachernet.gov.uk/_doc/13210/BB102.pdf ) - it has some information on adjustable furniture in design and technology rooms, plus numbers required etc.