Disabled Access Provision (Temporary)

Construction sites must maintain accessible routes for workers and visitors with disabilities where practicable.
The Equality Act 2010 requires employers to make reasonable adjustments for workers with disabilities.
Temporary access ramps, level crossings, and firm surface routes help wheelchair users navigate the site.
Tactile and visual warnings at hazard points assist workers with visual impairments.
Site welfare facilities including toilets and rest areas should be accessible to all workers.
Construction work affecting public paths and entrances must maintain accessible alternative routes.
Temporary signage should be at readable heights and use clear, high-contrast lettering.
Evacuation plans must account for workers with mobility, sensory, or cognitive impairments.
Task-specific risk assessments should consider how disabilities interact with the work hazards.
Inclusive site design demonstrates respect for the diverse workforce that builds the UK.

Legal duty	The Equality Act 2010 requires reasonable adjustments for workers with disabilities in all workplaces including construction sites.
Public access	Construction affecting public routes must maintain accessible alternatives for disabled members of the public.
Workforce inclusion	Accessible site design enables a wider range of workers to contribute safely to the construction project.

Do

Don't

Assess the site for barriers to access for workers and visitors with disabilities
Provide temporary ramps, firm surfaces, and level crossings where steps or uneven ground exist
Maintain accessible routes to welfare facilities including toilets and rest areas
Include disabled workers in the site evacuation plan with personal emergency plans
Use high-contrast, clearly worded signage at readable heights for all temporary signs
Ask workers with disabilities what adjustments would help them work safely on site
Maintain accessible public pedestrian diversions when works affect existing routes
Brief the site team on the accessible routes and any specific adjustments in place
Inspect accessible routes regularly to ensure they remain clear and in good condition
Record reasonable adjustments made and review them if conditions on site change

DON'T block accessible routes with materials, plant, or temporary works
DON'T assume no workers on site have a disability — many conditions are not visible
DON'T ignore requests for reasonable adjustments — assess each one on its merits
DON'T close accessible public routes without providing an alternative accessible diversion
DON'T place signs at heights that wheelchair users or those with visual impairments cannot read
DON'T exclude disabled workers from evacuation drills — include them with specific plans
DON'T allow accessible toilet facilities to be used for storage or locked
DON'T treat accessibility as someone else's responsibility — everyone plays a part
DON'T create temporary routes with steep gradients that wheelchair users cannot navigate
DON'T forget to reassess adjustments when the site layout or works phases change

See also: Temporary Access Safety Awareness | Site Induction Requirements

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