Safe working environment: Our top 10 tips

People with sight loss and other disabilities are just as capable at doing many jobs that non-disabled people do. Disabled people may need to have adaptations at their workplace, and for their employers to be aware of a disabled person’s needs and how they can support them.
Under the Equality Act 2010 an employer must make reasonable changes for disabled applicants and employees. These are known as ‘reasonable adjustments’. Adjustments should be made to avoid employees being put at a disadvantage compared to non-disabled employees. Employers also have a duty to ensure a safe working environment for all employees.

Henshaws’ Top 10 Tips for a Safe Work Environment:

1. Keep corridors clear from clutter like bags, boxes, bins etc. This will avoid somebody tripping over if they miss the obstacle in their path.
2. Don’t trail wires from one desk to the other or across corridors, as these are hazards.
3. Don’t leave doors ajar, drawers open etc. as it is easy to walk into these.
4. Consider the layout of the room. It is easier for everyone to be able to negotiate straight lines.
5. If you are putting something on a blind person’s desk like a cup of tea, ensure that you tell them where you are putting it so they are aware. Be descriptive; say ‘it’s on your left’ instead of ‘here’s your cup of tea’ so the person knows exactly where it is.
6. Some people with sight loss might use task lighting. This is localised light that would be on the desk for reading printed material. They might also use a hand-held magnifier, or video magnifier or CCTV.
7. Try to keep light levels constant throughout the building to avoid glare. Reduce glare by using vertical blinds to control the amount of light entering the workplace.
8. Consider the use of colour when re-furbishing the work place. Introduce colour contrast around doorframes. You can also use colour contrast to distinguish chairs from the desk from the carpet etc.
9. Also, consider using tactile elements to help people navigate.
10. Signage should be large enough to see and in a position that is accessible, like eye level height.

We offer training programmes and consultancy services to organisations and service providers who support people with a visual impairment or disability. We can tailor the training to meet your needs, or the needs of your organisation. These services aim to raise awareness of visual impairment and disability:

• Disability etiquette training
• Visual impairment awareness training