The work environment contains a number of aspects that can impact on the comfort and productivity of a worker. These include physical aspects such as workstation setup and equipment, noise, temperature, lighting and access, as well as organisational aspects such as workload, job pace and task diversity. All of these aspects fall under the umbrella of ergonomic and occupational health and safety (OHS) considerations.
Workplace solutions and adjustments
Some aspects of the work environment can have a greater impact on a person with disability. For example, individuals with vision impairment may require additional lighting in order to adequately view the computer monitor, or workers with multiple sclerosis may require air conditioning to assist with body temperature regulation. People with intellectual disability may require changes to the pace or complexity of the tasks, to allow them to manage the role effectively.
In such circumstances, an assessment of the work environment is necessary. This is traditionally undertaken by someone with a background in allied health, ergonomics or OHS, such as an Occupational Therapist or Physiotherapist.
The assessor will identify the barriers within the work environment that are preventing the worker form being able to undertake their job effectively. They will then provide recommendations to address the barriers. This may involve rearranging a workstation according to recognised ergonomic principles, or recommending provision of ergonomic or safety equipment, or suggesting that certain tasks that are difficult to manage be modified or eliminated.
The following links may be useful when considering workplace assessment for an individual with a disability:
References
Ergonomic Principles and Checklists for the Selection of Office Furniture and Equipment [NOHSC publication, 1991].
Ergonomics – The Human Factor. A Practical Approach to Work Systems Design [SAA HB59 – 1994].
Safe Work Australia (no date specified), Why should you consider a safe design approach, Safe Work Australia, Canberra, viewed 20 June 2011, http://safeworkaustralia.gov.au/SafetyInYourWorkplace/SafeDesign/Understanding/Pages/WhyShouldYouConsider.aspx.