"No-man's-land" between occupational health and safety legislation and the disability service sector

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to draw attention to a significant and growing tension that exists between the application of Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) legislation and the obligations of disability service providers under disability legislation and funding agreements with governments. Our purpose in highlighting this tension is to seek a body of knowledge to inform the courts and judicators of the complexities of implementing OHS and disability service work, and to gain a sound understanding of the synergies already in existence with OHS practices and the disability sector. We also need to keep in mind that we don?t compromise the rights of people with disabilities, nor the health and safety of the people who work with them.