Hand rails are designed to assist all people with the safe navigation of stairs and pathways. They are particularly important to people with disability, including those with mobility difficulties, those who are blind or vision impaired, and those with impaired judgement or balance.
Hand rails should be designed and constructed to all allow easy use for all people. There should be two hand rails, one on either side of the stair case, to allow both safe ascent and descent, or one either side of the wall of a toilet or chair.
Workplace solutions and adjustments
Employers have a responsibility to allow reasonable access to their employees. The Disability Discrimination Act (Section 23) makes it unlawful to discriminate against a person with disability by not providing access or use of public premises.
Access consultants may be employed to provide additional information regarding installation of hand rails for people with disability.
The following links provide more information on the installation of hand rails:
Other information that may be useful when considering the installation of hand rails can be found at the links below:
References
Standards Australia 2001, AS 1428.1, Design for access and mobility, Part 1: General requirements for access—New building work, Standards Australia, Sydney.
Human Rights & Equal Opportunity Commission 2007, Access to buildings and services: Guidelines and information, Human Rights & Equal Opportunity Commission, Sydney, viewed 25 January 2011, http://www.hreoc.gov.au/disability_rights/buildings/guidelines.htm
Human Rights & Equal Opportunity Commission 2007, Access to premises, Human Rights & Equal Opportunity Commission, Sydney, viewed 25 January 2011, http://www.hreoc.gov.au/disability_rights/buildings/access_to_premises.html
Association of Consultants in Access Australia Inc. 2010, Policies, Acts & Regulations, Association of Consultants in Access Australia Inc., Sydney, viewed 25 January 2011, http://access.asn.au/policies_acts_regulations