Accessibility in the Workplace

Published by Angela May for Total Hygiene in Communities

Changes by the new Government to its Access to Work scheme are further simplifying the process of enabling people to contribute to society- right down to ‘going to the loo’.

Total Hygiene, the UK’s leading provider of disabled toileting solutions, says potential employers focus on adaptations such as a new or existing employee being able to physically get to their desk and carry out their job, but overlook basic issues such as their ability to use the washroom! Yet the Access to Work* scheme can encompass provision of appropriate toileting, by up to 100% of the bill, as it covers ‘alterations to premises or working environments necessary because of a person’s disability and special equipment necessary’.

University of Edinburgh is just one employer who has taken advantage of the scheme, installing two Clos-o-Mat ‘wash and dry’ toilets to enable one of its fellows to continue to undertake his scientific research work. He commented, “The Clos-o-Mat is a very discreet product that doesn’t look out of place either in the home or work environment. I certainly value it very highly and without it, I would find it difficult to fulfill my working life!”

Robin Tuffley, Total Hygiene marketing manager, points out, “We all have to go to the toilet, and do so on average eight times a day! For a disabled person, that basic function can have a major impact if the washroom is not appropriately adapted: it may be simple fitting of a grab rail, or something more complex such as a toilet lifter or ‘wash and dry’ toilet, or space to manoeuvre a wheelchair. Regardless, such adaptive costs ARE covered by Access to Work grant funding- by up to 100% of the bill!”

Total Hygiene is unique in having the complete package of in-house expertise and experience to provide authoritative technical advice, through to designing, installing, commissioning and servicing the equipment, from simple grab rails to an all-encompassing disabled toilet facility with hoists, changing tables etc. Now in its 50^th year, the company has to date installed over 40,000 of its Clos-o-Mat ‘wash and dry’ toilets and innumerable WC adaptations in domestic, commercial and public environments.