Safety is a concern for any organizations whether it employs individuals with disabilities or not. Following the two-step safety and loss control model, it is recommended that employers (1) do everything possible to prevent an accident from happening in the first place, followed by a presumption that, despite your best efforts, accidents can still occur and to then (2) take appropriate steps to reduce the amount of loss experienced by those involved. Below are resources employers might want to consider in addressing safety and workers’ compensation issues.

 

Safety, Health, and Emergency

List of numerous topics from the National Institute on Occupational Safety and Health addressing issues on Emergency Preparedness and Response: http://www.cdc.gov/niosh//topics/emergency.html

 

List of numerous topics from the National Institute on Occupational Safety and Health addressing issues of safety and prevention: http://www.cdc.gov/niosh//topics/safety.html

 

Job Accommodations Network article addressing emergency evacuation strategies.  http://www.jan.wvu.edu/media/emergency.html

 

Fact Sheet on Obtaining and Using Employee Medical Information as Part of Emergency Evacuation Procedures, http://www.eeoc.gov/facts/evacuation.html.

 

Sensory-Related Disabilities: Employers can consider installing lighted fire strobes and other visual or vibrating alerting devices to supplement audible alarms. Section 4.28 of the ADAAG specifically addresses alarms. http://www.access-board.gov/adaag/html/adaag.htm#4.28

 

Health Hazard Evaluations (HHE) can serve to assist in reducing exposures to hazardous materials or harmful conditions. By addressing these issues proactively, employers can avoid problems by reducing insurance costs and time spent in litigation. Information on HHE can be found at: http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/hhe/HHEprogram.html 

 

Hartford Insurance article concerning “Loss Control Tips: http://mb.thehartford.com/insurance_info/pdfs/520-259.pdf

Workers’ Compensation

An EEOC enforcement guidance document concerning: Workers' Compensation and the ADA. This 
enforcement guidance document sets forth the EEOC Commission's position on the interaction 
between Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and state workers' compensation laws. 
http://www.eeoc.gov/policy/docs/workcomp.html

Worker's Compensation: Developing Company Policies as presented by the United Cerebral Palsy 
organization: http://www.ucp.org/ucp_channeldoc.cfm/1/17/11928/11928-11928/4671