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Gradient for ramps?

JW77

This morning we (my partner & myself) had an accident on a 'temp access ramp' while some tree works are going on in the area.
In hindsight, yes we should have gone round the long way!

She backflipped & bruised her head, thankfully only bruising, but I'm observing for the next 24 hrs as per NHS guidance/website. I had to get the assistance from passers by & community centre staff to lift her back up.
I went back later & measured the gradient on my phone, which was 20%. I'm pretty sure thats steeper than is recommended for chairs.
Any ideas?

I've reported to local council, as well as neighbourhood groups.

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Comments

Mary_Scope

Sorry to hear about yours and your wife's accident @JW77. That must have been very frightening! How are you both doing now?

A 20% gradient does sound pretty steep. There is this website that has information on disabled ramp regulations to public buildings that may be helpful to explore.

Big_Al

Hi JW77,
I can understand how you both must feel. My wife and I had a similar incident when taking her to the local salon. I dropped her off, and we had already contacted the salon ahead of time to check disabled access. "We have a ramp". After dropping my wife off I went to get a cup of coffee. As I drove past the salon my wife was 'up-ended'. Much like your wife it resulted in her having bruising and grazing to the back of her head.
When you got the wheelchair. In the manual/ instructions it should tell you the gradient that is the maximum tilt level. I.e. My wife's chair (Powered) has a maximum of 1:12 gradient.
As to the "drop" kerbs they are a different story entirely. The issue for us has not be the gadient so much as to the kerb stones being uneven. Also, where road re-surfacing has happened there, the road can develop a gap between road and kerb-stone. Here the risk appears to be the front wheels (small ones) get stuck in-between the stone and the road catapulting the chair occupant forward.
What can be done?
Local council should if you report an item 1) Acknowledge 2) Give a response/ plan 3) Give a time scale. If you get "fobbed off". Just drop into the conversation about disability access rights.
Private property, if they do not have a ramp then there's little you can do. However, if they have a ramp then it should be the correct ramp. However, Proprietor's tend to "just get any old ramp". This is where charm comes in alongside education. I informed the salon re: the ramp. My wifes next appointment they had a substantial ramp affixed to the premises. Have to say though, the owner of the salon is very understanding.

JW77

This type of ramp. Public area near a footpath that blocked of due to tree work. Front of the ramp is slightly uphill as well.
As far as I know land is council/parish council, highways maintained. (it's a bit weird round here sometimes!)

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Darking

I am so sorry you both went through that scary incident, and please do not blame yourselves for taking that path. Temporary access ramps put out during public works are required to be safe for everyone, and a 20% incline is exceptionally steep and dangerous for a wheelchair. First and most importantly, keeping a very close watch on her over the next 24 to 48 hours was very important. Please get emergency medical help immediately by calling 999 or going straight to A&E if she develops any red flags like drowsiness, worsening headache, vomiting, confusion, slurred speech, weakness, or clear fluid coming from her nose or ears.

Regarding the ramp itself, your 20% gradient measurement equals roughly a 1 in 5 slope. UK accessibility standards state that public ramps should ideally be a 1 in 20 slope, with a maximum limit of 1 in 12 for extremely short distances. A 20% slope is more than double the absolute maximum safety limit and creates a severe tipping risk. Under the Equality Act and health and safety legislation, temporary pedestrian diversions must remain accessible and safe. To address this, start by taking photos of the ramp, its steepness, the surrounding site, signs, contractors' company names, and her bruising. Keep a note of the time, exact location, and contact details of the passersby or community center staff who helped.

Next, contact your local council's Highways or Parks team immediately to report an urgent public safety hazard. Explain that an unsafe temporary ramp caused a wheelchair tip-over and injury so they can force the site team to correct or block it off right away. You can also report the site safety failure to the Health and Safety Executive.

Once your partner is feeling better and past the initial worry, you may want to speak with a personal injury solicitor regarding public liability, as temporary works contractors have a legal duty of care to provide safe access.

justj74

Oh goodness, what a fright for you both! ❤️ I hope your partner is okay @JW77 and she’s having no problems after the fall? I use a wheelchair part of the time myself, and a ramp that steep would worry me too.
I hope the council takes it seriously before anyone else gets hurt.