Upper and lower limb conditions support at work

There are ways you can support employees with conditions that affect the use of their hands, arms and legs. This might include equipment or small changes to work areas. There is funding available to help cover the costs.

Fine hand coordination and lifting

Conditions that affect movement of the hands include:

• acquired brain injuries
• quadriplegia
• carpal tunnel syndrome and tendonitis
• diseases of the central nervous system such as multiple sclerosis.

People need fine hand coordination for a range of tasks like writing, using tools and equipment, driving machinery, preparing food and using items like telephones or keyboards. 

An employee may also find it difficult to lift, carry or handle items because they have less grip strength or range of movement. Pain due to conditions listed above can also cause these issues.

Making workplace adjustments

To help employees who have trouble with fine hand coordination and lifting, you can make changes to their work area and way they work. For example:

• where possible, make sure the employee is sitting or standing in a way that allows them to use their hands more freely. For example, an ergonomic seat can help employees who are sitting
• place items in easy reach to prevent over-reaching
• use adjustable tables and stools
• allow the employee to change tasks regularly to reduce continued or repetitive activity in the hand and wrist. For example, they could use the keyboard and mouse for a while, then switch to another task
• add machine guards for industrial equipment if safety is an issue.

You can also adapt tools or provide assistive technology to help your employee do things more easily. Consider:

• adaptive technology or equipment to reduce or remove the need to use fine hand coordination. For example, computer controls like switches or eye controls
• cutting tools with spring loaded pins so employees don’t need to open tools after each cutting action
• padding on thin tool handles to make the grip bigger and reduce tension in the hand muscles
• power tools, so the employee doesn’t need to use force
• tools that are designed to keep the wrist stable, so that any force doesn’t put too much strain on the wrist
• tools with non-slip grips, or non-slip gloves
• where possible, tools such as a crowbar with a longer lever arm. The longer the lever arm, the less force is needed
• foot operated instruments or controls
• light tools or instruments that place less stress on the muscles, hands and arms
• voice activated software and speech to text software
• alternative mouse and keyboard controls.

Reaching

Reaching for equipment can be hard for people who have limited movement in their arms and hands, back or neck pain, or physical disability. Reaching can cause pain and strain, or it may not be possible due to the person’s condition.

Making workplace adjustments

There are many products that help people to reduce the risks involved with reaching.

If the employee’s job involves answering the telephone a lot, like in a call centre, they can use supports such as headsets, hands-free telephones and accessible call centre systems.

Reachers, step stools and order pickers can help people to pick up items that are above their head height.

Mobility

There are changes you can make in the workplace to help people with disability or injury that affects how they move around. People with severe mobility restrictions may need mobility training by an allied health professional.

Making workplace adjustments

You can support mobility at work with different workplace modifications and products. For example:

• changing the layout of the office to meet specific mobility needs
• moving specific workspaces to a more accessible area.

You can help people who use walking aids, scooters or wheelchairs by making sure:

• pathways, walkways and entrances are clear
• there are no mats to cause trip accidents
• small steps or door lips are changed to ramps
• the width of doorway entrances to facilities like bathrooms, kitchens and offices allow access
• emergency exits are accessible.

Walking

Walking takes strength, range of movement and coordination. This can be affected by disability, injury or health condition. For example, a person with rheumatoid arthritis may find it hard to walk due to weakness, pain and fatigue. A person with spinal cord injury may find it hard to walk due to paralysis, weakness or changes to sensation.

Making workplace adjustments

For jobs that involve a lot of walking, like sales, retail and cleaning, there are changes employers and staff can make reduce the impact on the body. For example:

• correct floor coverings, such as anti-fatigue matting, carpet alternatives and non-slip surfaces
• wearing work appropriate and supportive footwear with cushioned shoe inserts or orthotics if needed
• changing between sitting, standing and walking during the day, if possible.

Working while standing

Working as a chef, shop assistant, factory worker, customer service assistant, hairdresser, waiter, nurse or teacher usually requires working while standing. This may involve doing tasks:

• above head height
• at a medium height
• down low.

Working in a standing position may be difficult for a person with disability. When doing work while standing, it’s important to look at the position of each part of the body, including the neck, head, arms, hands, back, hips, legs and feet. You should aim to work between hip and shoulder height if possible.

Making workplace adjustments

Employers should support staff to use safe work practices when working in a standing position. For example:

• doing stretches and mobility exercises on a regular basis
• taking regular breaks from standing. For example, after every 20 to 30 minutes of standing, do a seated task or walk for 2 to 3 minutes.

It’s also very important for employees to have well-fitting comfortable shoes, suitable for standing for long periods. Orthotics or moulded shoes may help for some disabilities.

Reduce the risks of working from a standing position in each job. Where possible, the job and work environment should be designed to fit the employee. For example:

• consider if the work needs to be done in a standing position, or if there is another way to do it
• try to reduce how often the employee has to do the task if they are standing
• consider if you can change the workstation or area to reduce the risks or difficulties for the employee. For example, making sure work is done at a medium height and tools are easy to reach
• rotate employees between tasks to reduce how long any one person has to work while standing
• make sure employees use equipment safely and use safe work practices if working while standing. For example, make sure that they can stretch often and change the way they are standing, if possible
• encourage employees to wear supportive shoes and provide anti-fatigue matting.

Ways to help employees who need to stand for long periods include:

• using anti-fatigue matting or innersoles
• using ergonomic chairs or perching stools
• changing the height of the table or using a height adjustable workstation. This is even more important if employees of different heights use the same workstation
• using a stand-up wheelchair if a wheelchair user’s job requires them to work at different heights.

Climbing

Climbing involves going up or down structures or objects using your feet, legs, hands and arms. Climbing ladders, stairs, poles or posts, scaffolding or ramps can be part of many jobs and can be hard for people with disability.

Climbing and working up high can be a health and safety risk at work. Employers or people who are self-employed must assess safety risks and find ways to prevent or control the risk of injury.

Making workplace adjustments

There are adjustments that can help if an employee finds climbing hard, or if climbing may be risky for them. For example:

• consider changes to the role or tasks so the employee doesn’t need to climb
• reduce how often employees need to climb, if possible
• use handrails, stair lifts or more regular landings in ramps
• change work systems and practices – for example, rotate employees between jobs
• train employees in safe work practices for climbing to prevent falls, and make sure employees operate equipment safely and properly
• provide protective gloves or harnesses.

Financial support for workplace changes

The Employment Assistance Fund (EAF) helps fund work-related modifications, equipment and services to help people with disability get a job and support them at work. To work out if your employees are eligible, visit Funding for changes in the workplace.