A common misconception among employers is that workers with disability are more likely to have accidents at work.
Recent research shows people with disability have fewer accidents at work and significantly lower recorded workers compensation incidents. The workers compensation costs for people with disability can be as low as four per cent of the workers compensation costs of other employees (Graffam et al 2002).
The following case study may be useful in allaying the concerns of employers when it comes to safety:
Workers with disability often have heightened safety awareness, especially if their disability has stemmed from an injury at work and many may have undertaken specific pre-employment occupational health and safety training.
Providing information and assistance to employers on ways to prepare and modify their workplace can assist in allaying their fears regarding safety concerns. You could also offer on the job support in workplace occupational health and safety orientation or training if necessary, for the safe induction of a new employee with disability.
The following facts sheets and checklists have been developed to assist employers to prepare and modify their workplace and to ensure a safe working environment. The pages on our web site all print out in a user friendly format so that you can hand them to employers in hard copy:
You may be interested in the research report produced by the Australian Safety and Compensation Council which answers the question: Are people with disability at risk at work? See our Related Links for a copy of the report.
References
Graffam, J, Shinkfield, A, Smith, K, and Polzin, U 2002, ‘Employer benefits and costs of employing a person with a disability’, Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 17, pp. 251-263.