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WORKERS WITH DISABILITIES: 5 MUST-KNOWS FOR YOUR WORKPLACE

Hiring a worker with disabilities requires a little extra consideration and planning to ensure the workplace is safe.
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When hiring a worker with a mental or physical disability, it’s important to ensure the worker is able to safely perform all the required tasks. It’s also essential that the person with the disability does not create an undue risk to other workers in the working environment.

1. Conduct an assessment of risk If a candidate for a role has a disability, a risk assessment needs to take place to ensure safety for themselves and their coworkers. Are they able to effectively operate machinery or lift heavy objects? If this is a requirement for your position, you need to be sure the worker can safely perform all required tasks.
2. Allocate suitable tasks

The outcome of the risk assessment will determine the tasks that are suitable for the worker to perform.

The decision for allocating tasks should be based on the following:

  • Can the person perform the physical requirements associated with the task?
  • Is the disabled worker at greater risk than other workers, while performing the task?
  • What would be the potential consequences of an accident, to the person and to others, including the potential for a deterioration of the person's health?
3. Ensure training is undertaken Workers with disabilities may require additional training, instruction, or assistance before being able to effectively perform a task.
4. Supply appropriate equipment Special equipment may be required for a disabled worker to safely perform a task. Ensure this equipment is purchased should it be required.
5. Communicate anti-discrimination requirements Workers with disabilities should never be discriminated against. While it is important to ensure that the working environment is safe, workers with disabilities do not suffer from discrimination. Other workers need to be educated on anti-discrimination in the workplace.

General advice warning

The information on this site is of a general nature only. It does not take your specific needs or circumstances into consideration. You should look at your own situation and requirements before making any decisions.

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