Workplace Accessibility

The National Construction Code and DDA Access to Premises Standards require that all new or modified buildings subject to a building approval are accessible to people with disabilities.

However, the Building Code of Australia and the Disability Access to Premises Standards provide an exemption in areas that may be inappropriate for people with disabilities.

This website includes a number of scenarios where it may be considered suitable to accept a reduced level of accessibility within some workplace areas. While the examples presented are not exhaustive, they provide insight into some suitable workplaces that may be exempted. It is important to note that any claim for an exemption must be assessed on a ‘case-by’case’ basis.

A view through a shop window of a baker working in a commercial kitchen

Bakeries

A person working in a bakery will have a wide range of roles and responsibilities. These may include receiving deliveries and unloading vans, moving large sacks of flour and other ingredients, and mixing ingredients to make all sorts of baked goods

Bars and Nightclubs

A barman or barmaid is responsible for serving beverages, including alcohol, to customers. They may also manage inventories, receive deliveries, and be able to stand, walk, bend, and lift large volumes of liquids. They may also clean bar and public areas.

Breweries, Distilleries and Wineries

People working in a distillery or winery will have a variety of job duties. They include gathering water and raw materials, overseeing the fermentation process, blending and bottling, and managing a team of professionals.

A builder is moving a steel section from a storage room

Builder Yards

A builder’s storage yard is a facility used for storing and organising materials, supplies, and equipment used to construct or alter buildings. These yards are often only accessed at the start or end of the day and secured during the rest of day.

Bulk Fuel Storage Facilities

People working in bulk fuel storage facilities will be responsible for the maintenance of tanks and pumps, inspecting for corrosion and other signs of wear and tear, cleaning, and conducting regular maintenance to ensure everything is working correctly.

Butcher’s Premises

Butchers turn large pieces of meat into smaller, ready-to-cook portions. They cut, trim, bone, tie, and grind meats, such as beef, pork, poultry and fish, to prepare them. They also handle, debone, trim, tie, grind, and stuff meat products.

Cafés and Food & Beverage Premises

Café workers typically perform various tasks related to preparing food and beverages. This may include customer service, cleaning, preparing hot food and beverages, using commercial cooking equipment, dishwashing, receiving and making deliveries.

Chemical Storage Facilities

Chemical storage facility workers are responsible for various tasks related to the safe storage and handling of chemicals. This includes inspecting storage tanks, monitoring inventories and ensuring the proper segregation of incompatible chemicals.

Commercial Kitchens

Restaurant workers typically perform various tasks related to preparing food and beverages. They must be knowledgeable in food safety and hygiene protocols and recognise and respond to any potential hazards associated with food preparation.

Dry Cleaners and Commercial Laundries

Dry cleaning and laundry workers will lift and carry items, such as large laundry bags. They will operate commercial dry-cleaning, washing and drying machines. They may be responsible for sorting, pressing clothing, mending, and altering garments.

A tractor parked in front of a shipping container and large tent

Farms

Farm workers maintain and operate agricultural machinery and equipment, care for livestock, and tend to crops. They may also maintain and repair machinery and equipment, feed, herd, manage livestock, and operate milking machines on dairy farms.

Food Processing Facilities and Factories

People working in food processing factories perform various tasks related to food safety, storage, and preparation. This includes inspecting and maintaining storage areas, checking for proper temperature control and sanitation, and ensuring safe storage.

Chef pouring basis into the ice cream freezer machine in the small manufacturing

Gelateria and Ice Cream Shops

People working in a gelateria are responsible for measuring, mixing, cooking, and freezing ingredients to make frozen desserts, such as ice cream and gelato. They must be able to lift ingredients, enter walk-in freezers and follow safety protocols.

Manufacturing Plants and Factories

People working in a manufacturing factory may perform various tasks, including assembling and fabricating products, operating machinery, equipment, and lifting equipment, driving forklifts, managing orders and deliveries, and conducting daily checks.

A mechanic working under a car that is raised up on a hoist lift

Mechanic’s Workshops

Mechanics typically perform maintenance, diagnostic testing, repairs, and inspections of small trucks and cars. They work on the engine, drive belts, brakes, transmissions, electrical systems, and other components of the vehicle to ensure it runs safely and efficiently.

Military Bases and Military Training Areas

Military personnel typically perform a wide range of duties. They will operate under ‘war-like’ conditions when undertaking military exercises to plan and train for actual events.

A panelbeater is grinding down a panel on a car

Panelbeaters and Vehicle Panel Repair Workshops

Panel beaters are responsible for assessing, repairing, and restoring damaged vehicles to their original condition. They use a variety of hand tools, spray painting equipment, welding equipment, and hydraulic lifters to remove dents and make repairs.

Crane picking up a car in a scrap metal recycling plant

Scrap Metal Yards and Recycling Plants

Scrap metal yard workers typically weigh, sort, and grade scrap metal ready for recycling. Workers operate cutting and welding equipment, cranes, machinery and forklifts. They must be able to accurately weigh and record details of the scrap metal.

Tyre shop working removing a tyre from a racking shelf

Tyre Sales, Puncture and Repair Workshops

People working in a tyre repair shop provide services related to tyres, including inspecting for damage and repairing or replacing tyres. As a tyre technician, one must be able to use various tools such as wrenches, jacks, and tire changers.

A forklift driver is moving a pallet inside a warehouse

Warehouse Storage Facilities

People in a warehouse are responsible for receiving, storing, picking, and packing goods. They may operate machinery, such as forklifts, to move goods around the warehouse or to unload trucks. They may also maintain and inspect racking systems.

DDA Exemptions

All areas of a building are required to be accessible to people with disabilities. However, the Building Code of Australia and the Disability Access to Premises Standards provide an exemption in areas that may be inappropriate for people with disabilities.