Aim to Improve Workplace Safety and Health for Workers with Disabilities

—Based on a multi-professional survey—

Abstract

The safety and health of persons with disabilities at work must be tailored to their individual disabilities. To study occupational accidents and evaluate their characteristics and work methods/environments, we conducted interviews about accidents and safety/health management, including disability considerations, and observed work methods/environments in six private-sector establishments where people with disabilities work and four workplaces that provide welfare services.

There were no disability-related work accidents. Consideration was given to creating a quiet environment to ensure the peace of mind for workers with intellectual, developmental and mental disabilities. Medication management and seizure response for individuals with epilepsy or psychiatric disorders and the medical characteristics of the developmentally and mentally disabled were not well understood by the managers. The physical environment for the physically disabled was appropriate for their physical functions. There were many accidents due to falls and collisions in the welfare-to-work center, and the workload reduction measures usually taken in general companies were insufficient. For the safety and health of persons with disabilities at work, a consultation and guidance system of experts and intervention mechanisms was necessary, with a comprehensive perspective of medical care and occupational health, welfare for the disabled in the work system, and management of small enterprises.