Law, technology and sign language
People with hearing impairment live in a world partially or entirely devoid of sound. They rely mostly on what they can see. Here are some organisational and technical issues that should be taken into account by an employer who wishes to hire a person with impaired hearing.
One of the factors taken into consideration when assessing
whether a given working conditions pose a threat to worker's health
is the level of noise. Sadly, many employers still hold a false
belief that it is safe for a deaf person to be exposed to excessive
noise levels since he or she can't hear anything anyway. This is
far from true. In fact, working in such conditions can be
detrimental to the impaired worker's health.
According to the workplace safety and health regulations the
employer is obliged to provide the employees with an adequate
protection against excessive noise either by modifying and
silencing the noise-generating plant, by enclosing it or by placing
the operator in a soundproof enclosure. Plus, the workers must be
equipped with personal hearing protectors and job rotation ought to
be introduced.
In Poland, the permissible noise levels and general requirements concerning noise monitoring are regulated by the standard no. PN-84/N-01307. For more detailed information on hearing protection visit www.ochrona-sluchu.ebhp.pl, the list of Polish Standards is available at www.wypadek.pl.
Workplace accommodations for hearing-impaired workers:
- written emergency instructions and signs placed near all escape routes, emergency exits, doorways and on staircases
- written instructions and safety regulations in the workplace, in restrooms, canteens, medical facilities etc.
- lifts equipped with signal lights
- teletypewriters and amplified telephones helping impaired workers to communicate
- machines that are properly and visibly marked, equipped with signal lights and visual alarm system, as stipulated by the Polish Standards
Alarm systems and warning signs must fit the impaired worker's sensory abilities:
- warning signs marking any potential source of danger or a danger zone ought to be placed in well-lit and easy-to-see spots,
- signal lights can't be neither too bright nor too dim and ought to be placed against a contrasting background
- the use of hand sign system – precise, simple, easy to use and understand. Its full description is contained in the Occupational Safety and Health Regulations.
The employers' main concern when it comes to hiring employers with impaired hearing, is the communication barrier. Hiring a sign language interpreter can prove too costly for small and medium firms, whereas hiring assistants for deaf employees is even more expensive, not to mention the fact that there are no regulations for employing them.
However, it is possible to overcome such problems, as was demonstrated by a manager of one of the companies employing people with hearing impairment. In his dealings with them, he either communicates with them directly via speechreading or sends them written instructions by email. Sign language interpreter's assistance is needed only during weekly staff meetings and individual interviews.
A word from the expert
Józef Fijołek, Senior Labour Inspector, National Labour
Inspectorate
Labour Inspectors, when assessing whether a given workplace has
been properly adapted to impaired worker's needs, follow
regulations contained in several separate legal acts. These include
labour law, Occupational and Social Rehabilitation Act and
Occupational Safety and Health Regulations. We make sure that the
company employing impaired workers respects their rights and that
its facilities have all necessary adaptations. However, I must
admit that even the inspectors don't have a clear idea on what
those adaptations should include, as there is no single and
all-inclusive set of regulations on the subject. Therefore, people
employing and working with the disabled persons are often forced to
come up with their own solutions. Although National Labour
Inspectorate is not an advising body, the employers who wish to
hire impaired workers are always welcome to turn to us for advice,
it is our moral duty to aid them.
Komentarze
-
london property rental agencies
14.06.2024, 12:58 -
roswell female personal trainer
14.06.2024, 12:58 -
apartment rental agencies
14.06.2024, 12:39 -
auto detailing near me
14.06.2024, 09:58 -
personal training near me
13.06.2024, 16:37 -
personal fitness trainer for seniors
13.06.2024, 15:58 -
relocation to london
13.06.2024, 15:58 -
mobile detailing san jose
13.06.2024, 14:36 -
personal trainer
13.06.2024, 13:48 -
leopard hunting namibia
24.05.2024, 14:08 -
african safari honeymoon
24.05.2024, 14:03 -
london apartment rental agency
24.05.2024, 10:27 -
apartment rental agency
24.05.2024, 09:12 -
residential contractors
24.05.2024, 08:32 -
boat motor repair near me
24.05.2024, 06:58 -
discount hunting safari in namibia
24.05.2024, 05:28 -
lion hunting africa
24.05.2024, 05:06 -
relocation to london
24.05.2024, 02:11 -
london relocation agency
24.05.2024, 00:48 -
build homes
23.05.2024, 23:17 -
honda outboard motor repair
23.05.2024, 22:24 -
Source
23.05.2024, 21:00 -
What are the accomodations like for an african safari?
23.05.2024, 20:36 -
top london relocation agents
23.05.2024, 17:26 -
have a peek at these guys
23.05.2024, 16:27 -
custom homes
23.05.2024, 15:00 -
big game hunting rifles for africa
23.05.2024, 12:04 -
relocation services london
22.05.2024, 14:26 -
home building company in whitefish
22.05.2024, 13:40 -
apartment rental agencies
22.05.2024, 13:26 -
yamaha outboard service near me
22.05.2024, 12:05 -
elephant hunting namibia
22.05.2024, 09:58 -
rhinoceros hunting namibia
22.05.2024, 09:35 -
relocation to london
22.05.2024, 05:29 -
residential home contractor
22.05.2024, 05:00 -
london relocation agency
22.05.2024, 04:06 -
honda certified mechanic near me
22.05.2024, 02:50 -
african safari vacations packages
22.05.2024, 01:18 -
big game hunting in africa
22.05.2024, 00:29 -
new home builders
21.05.2024, 20:23 -
london relocation company
21.05.2024, 20:06 -
More about the author
21.05.2024, 18:35 -
boat engine repair shops
21.05.2024, 17:57 -
hunting cape buffalo with a bow
21.05.2024, 16:48 -
what animals are in namibia africa?
21.05.2024, 15:15 -
this website
21.05.2024, 11:28 -
apartment rental agencies
21.05.2024, 10:30 -
mercury outboard motor repair
21.05.2024, 09:30 -
rental agencies
21.05.2024, 09:00 -
what does an african hunting safari cost?
21.05.2024, 07:48
Dodaj komentarz