Alyson,
I too take exception with that email as it clearly ignores Part II of
the DDA governing employment! As far as I know, they would not be exempt
from the legislation unless they could prove that adapting them (etc.)
would be 'unreasonable', but even then they would have to argue that.
As far as I am aware there are no safety regulations that stipulate that
'disabled' people carry an enhanced risk in the kitchen as a workplace.
If a space is designed from the outset with all in mind, there shouldn't
be a problem and with the right training and guidance there should be no
personal risk to colleagues and the like.
To my ears it is merely an excuse not to do so, and therefore should be
challenged. Have they, or are they providing a design and access
statement?
Rob
_______________________________________________
Rob Bracewell BA (Hons)
Access Officer,
Forward Planning Team,
Planning Services,
Lancaster City Council,
Palatine Hall,
Dalton Square,
Lancaster,
LA1 1PW
Tel. & Minicom. 01524 582372 (please use announcer)
Mob. 07792439623
Fax. 01524 582322
-----Original Message-----
From: Alyson Matthews [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 19 June 2008 11:11
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [ACCESSIBUILT] Commercial kitchens
I have had sight of an email from a kitchen designer who says:
"Commercial kitchens are excluded from the DDA regs due to the dangerous
nature of the equipment.
A wheelchair bound or sight impaired person would be a danger to
themselves and their colleagues in this environment.
Disabled people are inly [sic] employed for admin tasks for this reason"
For obvious reasons, myself and my colleagues have taken issue with this
email. However, does anyone know if commercial kitchens actually do
have exeption from the DDA regs? As far as I can tell, the only reason
that a disabled person would be in any more danger is because the
kitchen itself has been poorly designed and not taken any potential
adjustments (e.g additional manoeuvring space, lowered counters )into
account. Is there any way that the above statement could be justified?
----------End of Message----------
Run by SURFACE for more information on research, consultancy and the
distance taught MSc. in Accessibility and Inclusive Design programme
visit:
http://www.surface.salford.ac.uk
Archives for the Accessibuilt discussion list are located at
http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/accessibuilt.html
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
UK businesses use up 2 million tonnes of paper each year. Think before
you print this email - do you really need to? Thank you. DISCLAIMER:
DISCLAIMER:
----------End of Message----------
Run by SURFACE for more information on research, consultancy and the distance taught MSc. in Accessibility and Inclusive Design programme visit:
http://www.surface.salford.ac.uk
Archives for the Accessibuilt discussion list are located at http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/accessibuilt.html
|