Access to Work workplace assessment

dori2o

Has anyone had a workplace assessment by Access to Work for things like chairs, footstools.

My employers OH advisors have recommended a chair from the employers supplier which is unsuitable, I know this as I've had the same chair before, but my employer is refusing to look at alternatives and says I must accept the OHA's advice despite the fact the chair is too big, doesn't have any lumbar/upper back support, and the seat is so large it digs into the back of my knee and I wouldn't be able to use my specialist leg rest.

I'm considering asking my employer to accept a workplace assessment from Access to Work in order to resolve the issue.

Any advice appreciated.

dori2o

I've had this topic moved from the employment boards, can anyone give any advice on the subject?

GlasweJen

They will assess for chairs but won't grant one if they think it's within the remit of your work to provide it.

My chair was granted because it's not a standard chair - it's made to order and custom measurements. At the time I couldn't control most of my spine so it couldn't sit in a normal chair. Another person at my work got knocked back because although our normal chairs caused her pain she could get one that was suitable from a catalogue.

dori2o

GlasweJen wrote: »

They will assess for chairs but won't grant one if they think it's within the remit of your work to provide it.

My chair was granted because it's not a standard chair - it's made to order and custom measurements. At the time I couldn't control most of my spine so it couldn't sit in a normal chair. Another person at my work got knocked back because although our normal chairs caused her pain she could get one that was suitable from a catalogue.

Thanks GlasweJen,

I'm not after it being funded as I work for a Gov department and they have more than enough ability to fund it. Unfortunately they don't seem to have the ability to realise when they are in the wrong.

What i want from the end product of this process is for them to make a recommendation on a chair, any chair, as long as it would likely be suitable for me and is one that hasn't already been declared unsuitable.

I then have something I can take to my employer to say to them, 'look, here's a valid alternative and this is where you can purchase it from.'

At the minute I'm off work because they are unable to provide a suitable chair and it's killing me. I actually like my job.

DomRavioli

dori2o wrote: »

Thanks GlasweJen,

I'm not after it being funded as I work for a Gov department and they have more than enough ability to fund it. Unfortunately they don't seem to have the ability to realise when they are in the wrong.

What i want from the end product of this process is for them to make a recommendation on a chair, any chair, as long as it would likely be suitable for me and is one that hasn't already been declared unsuitable.

I then have something I can take to my employer to say to them, 'look, here's a valid alternative and this is where you can purchase it from.'

At the minute I'm off work because they are unable to provide a suitable chair and it's killing me. I actually like my job.

Who has "deemed it unsuitable"? You don't mention that in your OP.

dori2o

DomRavioli wrote: »

Who has "deemed it unsuitable"? You don't mention that in your OP.

Sorry, it was deemed unsuitable by the ATOS Occ Health Advisor who did the assessment in December 2012.

Now the OCH from OH Assist (Which is actually ATOS but they have rebranded, I wonder why?) has recommended that chair which was originally deemed unsuitable.

The issue is that the chair seat is 52 cm deep, it doesn't slide in or out as others do which would usually change the depth of the seat.

When I was measured the distance from just behind my knee to the backrest of my chair is just short of 52cm, therefore the seat will be digging into the back of my knee.

According to every website I have checked for information on correct seating, they all say there should be a gap of approx 5-10cm between the back of my knee and the seat.

I won't be able to use my leg rest with this chair.

The OHA also deemed that the backrest wasn't offering the correct support, and neither did it adjust adequately to provde the support.

GlasweJen

Access to work used to be able to send an advisor to "give advice and training" to employers so it might be worth a go.

dori2o

Finally my employer has agreed to have an assessment performed by access to work.

I've phoned them, given some details, and someone is going to call back to go through everything.

Hopefully this is the beginning of the end of this mess.

kittykat17

dori2o wrote: »

Finally my employer has agreed to have an assessment performed by access to work.

I've phoned them, given some details, and someone is going to call back to go through everything.

Hopefully this is the beginning of the end of this mess.

That's great Dori2o. Hopefully they'll get it all sorted quickly and they get you the right chair plus any other equipment you need.

Su

HB58

Great news, I'm glad the assessment goes well.

garfield413

dori2o wrote: »

Thanks GlasweJen,

I'm not after it being funded as I work for a Gov department and they have more than enough ability to fund it. Unfortunately they don't seem to have the ability to realise when they are in the wrong.

What i want from the end product of this process is for them to make a recommendation on a chair, any chair, as long as it would likely be suitable for me and is one that hasn't already been declared unsuitable.

I then have something I can take to my employer to say to them, 'look, here's a valid alternative and this is where you can purchase it from.'

At the minute I'm off work because they are unable to provide a suitable chair and it's killing me. I actually like my job.

Access to work is run by the JobCentre and is instigated by the individual. Once they complete an assessment, the amount the employer and/or ATW pay towards any equipment is dependent on the number of employees your employer has. I noticed you mentioned working for the Government - hopefully then your employer will have already told you about fully paid disability leave (rather than you using sick leave, etc) while you wait for your reasonable adjustment to be put in place then!