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Zanshin67  
#1 Posted : 16 November 2010 16:58:14(UTC)
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Zanshin67

hi all not wanting to dircriminate againt anybody. we are at present considering an option for visitors at our theme park an experience to enter the workplace for a day could anybody please advise further. Who would write the risk assessment? Would we send out a questionaire? as the care plan is confidential, would we ask for a individual risk assessment from the carers? many thanks
KieranD  
#2 Posted : 16 November 2010 17:30:43(UTC)
Rank: Guest
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David Someone with a thorough understanding of how physical and cognitive ergonomics applies to safety for people with physical and mental impairments can do a suitable risk assessments. If you can afford to pay a professional ergonomist, with relevant expertise in safety and disability mangement, you should get it p.d.q. If you can't, why not approach one of the courses that offer M Sc programmes in Ergonomics to see whether someone would like to dio it for a project? It would take much longer, naturally, so you'd have to weigh up the tradeoff between speed and cost, although you might get better recommendations for risk management from a professional by virtue of their breadth of experience as well as up-to-date nowledge of the Equality Act 2010.
User is suspended until 03/02/2041 16:40:57(UTC) Ian.Blenkharn  
#3 Posted : 16 November 2010 20:45:57(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Ian.Blenkharn

Careful KeiranD, not all disabilities ae physical. There is much more to this than ergonomics. Much, much more.
bob youel  
#4 Posted : 17 November 2010 07:21:30(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
bob youel

All the above said what is 'reasonably practicable' should/must also come into the equation - we deal with 1000's of such cases every day in all types of environments without much mishap - so take note of the postings but also use common sense and get hold of your local disability [or whatever your local people now call themselves] group as that are very helpful and knowledgeable
KieranD  
#5 Posted : 17 November 2010 10:05:02(UTC)
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Ian, with respect, if you read accurately what I actually wrote, you might be less inclined to make invalid inferernces. I specifically referrred to COGNITIVE as well as phyical ergonomics. I made absolutely no suggestion that disability management is restricted to phsyical barriers or that the issue is resticted to ergonomics. As a chartered HR practitioner, with substantial relevant experience as a aregistered ergonomist and chartered occupational psychologist as well as a chartered safety and health practitioner, I specifcally drew the enquirer's attention to the impact of the recent equality legislation whose scope is far, far more extensive than legislation. The tough practical problem is alluded to by Bob's reference to the 'reasonably practicable' criterion. Asthis unfortunately is not explicit in the equality legislation, a competent ergonomist - ie. familar, as I stated, with relevant equality law as well as cognitive and physical dimensions of safety ergonomics - is well equipped to provide the assistance requested.
Bob Shillabeer  
#6 Posted : 17 November 2010 14:32:30(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Bob Shillabeer

Why use expensive people to carryout a simple task of looking at what needs to be done with someone with a disability. If the work they are likely to undertake when visiting your site is that complicated then you simply don't do it as the risks are far to great than it is worth just for one day. If however, they are visiting and undertaking simple tasks (if any) simply talk to them or thier carers and find out what they can comfortably do. You will need to take into account such things as fire evacuation and complete a PEEP for them and ensure they understand the l;imits on what they can do when on your premises. There is no need to undertake a whole raft of expensive assessments for just a single days visit. This will need to be done for each individual who vists remember.
User is suspended until 03/02/2041 16:40:57(UTC) Ian.Blenkharn  
#7 Posted : 17 November 2010 15:11:02(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Ian.Blenkharn

Impressive background keiran, but don't get blinkered into cognitive ergonomics as a universal solution to managing and improving the wellbeing and ability to cope of those with mental illness. Managing the individuals' environment interface is an impressive approach, but at your peril you forget the individual - simple basic care for the individual is an essential first step, and for an occasional vistor might be all that is required. And simply being sympathetic, helpful, supportive etc may be all that is required, and a far more reasonable approach that attempts at redesign of the work environment.
wstuarth  
#8 Posted : 18 November 2010 15:51:23(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
wstuarth

David, Whilst the above points need to be considered, I would offer the following thoughts based on my interpretation of your question (apologies if I have not picked it up correctly) You seem to be considering offering people with some "disabled" persons the opportunity to visit your workplace for a day, and carry out some meaningful work whilst there. That being the case then, the first stage would be to talk to the person concerned and their carer (if appropriate) and gauge the level of support they might need to undertake some tasks. Once you have this information, you may then identify the need for specialist advice, but even that may be available from some of the charities. If it is only a day visit as you seem to suggest, then I would have thought, in the main, it unlikely that anyone would be pursuing high risk activities that would merit extensive(expensive) input from experts. The carer will know the limitations of the individual, you will know the limitations of the systems and procedures that are used in the park - it shouldn't be too challenging to make sure the two match up and all significant risks are dealt with. The risks assessment would be a joint document. A questionnaire might be used to gather initial data, but I think I would want to rely on a slightly more robust systems that would be at least as person specific as a PEEP. I hope I got the right end of the stick, and that this is helpful. Good luck with the visits, I hope they all go well Stuart
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