Safety Standards

Some employees with various limitations may require additional, detail-oriented training to help them learn to do their job tasks or to enhance their knowledge of their duties. Due to difficulties with memory associated a condition or from medications taken, an employee might benefit from training refreshers, whether given in part of in full, extended time with a trainer, or the use of alternate materials.

Aerial lifts (sometimes called platform lifts or manlifts) are used to access materials at heights out of reach. They often replace climbing a ladder and come in a variety of sizes and shapes, including smaller lifts called scissor lifts and platform lifts and intermediate lifts called maintenance lifts.

Indoor air cleaning systems may help to reduce levels of  allergens and pollutants in indoor air to create a cleaner, healthier work and home environment. There are a number of different types of air cleaners and filtration systems; HEPA, ULPA, carbon filter, electrostatic, electret, negative-ionizing, UV, and ozone generators. It's important to know the air cleaning needs for the situation when selecting an appropriate system. A word of caution is needed when choosing an air purifier. These are less effective in large areas and need to be designed for specific irritants. For example, certain air purifiers will not work for fragrances but will work for smoke. It's important to work with a vendor to make certain of what can be effective for the situation.

The following companies can provide information regarding air cleaning devices that may be helpful to mitigate fumes and odors.  Some air cleaning devices produce ozone during operation.  Individual responses to ozone may vary.  Unfortunately, our organization cannot verify whether a particular individual would benefit from a specific product or accommodation. While we maintain a list of products and vendors as resources, JAN doesn't recommend products or endorse vendors.

The following companies can provide information regarding air cleaning devices that may be helpful to mitigate fumes and odors.  Some air cleaning devices produce ozone during operation.  Individual responses to ozone may vary.  Unfortunately, our organization cannot verify whether a particular individual would benefit from a specific product or accommodation. While we maintain a list of products and vendors as resources, JAN doesn't recommend products or endorse vendors.

Air purifiers that filter perfumes, colognes, chemicals, and other triggers for MCS.

Alerting devices can be used to notify a person who is deaf or hard of hearing to sounds in the environment. An individual can be alerted to sounds like a telephone ringing, a doorbell or an emergency alarm through vibration or a light signal. A transmitter detects certain sounds and then sends a signal to a receiver that vibrates or blinks a light.

Clothes and body covering with layers offering protection from damage from dangerous working environments.

Software designed to keep individuals who have trouble focusing on a schedule and to keep them from overworking.

Convex mirrors are mirrors that allow users to see around corners and blind spots.

Shoes made to suit specific needs and measurements, for safety and casual applications.

Safety wear for tasks involving exposure to sharp and pointed objects.

Designating responders can be a solution that will expedite care for the person having a seizure as well as reduce the fear, confusion, and panic that often occurs in a situation where a co-worker has a seizure at work.  One responder can be designated to call 911 if necessary, or a spouse or another contact person while a second responder keeps watch over the employee.

Directional sounders are audible devices that can lead you to safety.

Disposible gloves for individual who have smaller hands.

Industrial or office ergonomic assessments can help to maintain the health and safety of employees and may be necessary as part of a reasonable accommodation for an employee with a disability. In some cases, an ergonomic assessment can be performed by an in-house safety or human factors employee who is qualified to perform an analysis on an employee’s work environment and make appropriate recommendations. When this is not available an employer may need to look elsewhere for this type of service or they may want to consider training for future ergonomic assessment needs. JAN provides the following list of organizations that offer ergonomic assessment consulting services, referrals, and training materials. This list is not exhaustive and JAN does not specifically endorse these organizations over others that provide similar services.

Ergonomic office equipment includes copyholders, monitor risers, keyboard trays, keyboard rests, and foot rests. Other equipment characterized as ergonomic are ergonomic or electric staplers, staple removers, scissors, and hole punches. Individuals with handling, fingering, and grasping restrictions resulting from cumulative trauma disorders can benefit from this equipment. Products in this area alleviate the repetitive motion common to many hand-intensive jobs.

Escape respirators, which also are known as escape hoods, come in two types. One type, called a self contained escape respirator, consists of a hood with a tightly fitting neck piece and a contained source of breathing air. The hood provides a barrier against contaminated outside air, and the user breathes air from the attached source. In the other type, called an air purifying escape respirator, a filter canister is mounted on the hood. The user breathes outside air through the canister, which filters out harmful contaminants before the air is breathed.

Emergency evacuation devices are available to help remove individuals with mobility impairments from buildings. These devices typically help individuals quickly move people with mobility limitations down the stairs or across rough terrain.

Fall protection products can include roof anchors, helmets, harnesses, lanyards, lifelines, and rescue hoists. Fall protection products are generally durable, comfortable and meet OSHA and ANSI standards.

Hearing protection might be used as an accommodation for an individual who is hard of hearing, who needs to work in a noisy environment and still be able to communicate with co-workers. Active hearing protection and special purpose ear muffs that attenuate sound as the noise level rises, may enable effective performance in moderate noisy environments. Hearing aids may fit under certain muff style hearing protectors that have large, rectangular openings. An audiologist may be helpful in determining whether a particular individual can wear hearing aids under hearing protection and what product combination would best suit their needs.

Color can provide important safety cues such as serving as an indicator of change in surface or level, a warning for potential hazards such as open doors or cabinets, and serve as a way to color-code files, documents and other paperwork. These high contrast/ high visibility products can be useful to help with a variety of tasks for someone with low vision.

Screens that display text from TTY devices with much larger dimensions than normal for easier reading.

Ladders that can accommodate loads of up to 500 pounds are considered to be large-rated ladders. These ladders vary in the number of steps, whether they have handrails, and if they are single, extension, platform, or step.

Medical aprons made with pregnant women in mind to reduce the normal high weight from their body.

Machine guarding is a generic term which describes a variety of safety products used near industrial or manufacturing equipment. Machine guarding may include: safety shields, perimeter guards, quick disconnects, sensor starts, or safety signs.

Respirators are devices to protect individuals from inhaling dangerous substances, such as chemicals and infectious particles. There are several different types of respirators, including escape (used only in an emergency), particulate (only protect against particles), chemical cartridge/gas mask (clean chemical gases and possibly particles), and honeycomb charcoal. For other respirators such as Powered Air Purifying Respirators (PAPR) or supplied air respirators, please see https://AskJAN.org/solutions/Powered-Air-Purifying-Respirator-PAPR.cfm The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) maintains a list of NIOSH-Approved Particulate Filtering Facepiece Respirators at https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npptl/topics/respirators/disp_part/default.html See also: Masks – General/Chemical/Allergen Masks – Clear Masks – Face Shield

Paging products and services can be used in place of traditional overhead paging, such as code paging in a hospital, and may be used to notify a person who is deaf or hard of hearing to routine or emergency announcements. These devices and services can offer paging in text format to pagers, smart phones, tablets, and desktop computers, as well as through remote interpreter services.

Personal safety and fall alert devices are available in a variety of products and services. Some products and services are activated when a person pushes a button on a watch, pendant, cell phone, or other device. These generally have a monthly service plan and connect the person with a call center operator. It may be necessary to contact vendors to learn more about available features -- such as alerting emergency contacts and/or 911; selecting automatic alerting options; or setting up appointment reminders.

Signage to indicate individual should practice physical/social distancing.

In the event that a seizure does occur in the workplace, it is wise to be prepared. Preparation begins with a plan of action. Being prepared and knowing what to expect as well as what to do can reduce the fear, confusion, and panic that often occurs in a situation where a co-worker has a seizure at work. For more information on plans of action, see JAN's A to Z by Topic: Sample Forms.

Protective eyewear includes safety glasses and/or goggles.

Products and devices that assist individuals working on roads to promote safety in dangerous working zones.

Rolling safety ladders are less steep than regular ladders, therefore, easier to climb; other features include handrails and locking casters.

A number of products and devices that have been tested to apply to little people to provide them with the same standards of safety and assistance that exist for others.

Seat belt use is required by law in most states. People with different body sizes may need adapters for proper fitting of seat belts. Individuals should check with their car dealers or contact the manufacturers of the vehicles to determine what options are available. The below list identifies relevant aftermarket manufacturers, major distributors, and information providers.

Mobile carts and static tables made of stainless steel to promote a clean and stable working enrivonment.

Non-slip surfaces that can be attached to stairs to prevent slips and falls in cold weather.

Shoes with built in protective metal plates over the toes to deter crushing of toes when working with heavy objects.

Strobe lights can be useful as an accommodation to alert workers who are deaf to oncoming vehicles in an industrial environment.

Faucets equipped with a proximity sensor that allows activation without touch.

Products and services offered that can alter vans to make them accessible for individuals with physical disabilities.

A vehicle rear vision system might be used as an accommodation when a worker's ability to hear and see the environment is compromised. For example, a worker who is deaf who needs to operate a vehicle in the workplace, such as a forklift, may find it beneficial to see behind them when a mirror is not being used.

Walkers can be used by people with mobility impairments who do not need a wheelchair but who have difficulty walking for various reasons, such as fatigue or muscle weakness. Walkers come in various sizes and options, including having wheels.

Universal precautions should be taken to ensure safety in the workplace (Keep aisles clear of clutter, Provide a quick, unobstructed exit, Post clearly marked directions for exits, fire doors, etc.