Posted By chris allen Has anyone had any experience in undertaking a risk assessment within an engineering workshop, bearing in mind we have an employee who has just started suffering seizures. Is there any guidance available on the web / Hse on how to manage this potentailly dangerous and difficult situation. Many thanks Chris A.

Posted By Sean Warburton Hi mate, Like with any risk assessment i would simply consider the individual. We wouldn't place someone with a solution or substance for which they were sensitised too, or someone with poor eye site driving a vehicle. And as we know, it does ask the question when applying for a driving licence if you suffer from fits etc. If you feel his condition may put him or others Health & Safety at risk then i would consider modifying his role to suit or look at the possibility of relocating him within the organisation perhaps. It will be interesting to see others opinion. Hope this helps :)

Posted By Brian Welch Chris I've had to do a couple of medically restricted risk assessments. My approach has been to take a normal risk assessment for the activities concerns and fit the individual to the revised assessment. A few things to consider; Some activities pose special dangers for people whose seizures are NOT controlled :- These include working · at unprotected heights · near open water · with high voltage or open circuit electricity · unguarded apparatus or machines · on or near moving vehicles · with chemicals, unguarded fires, ovens and not plates · an isolated site Triggers · Stress and / or anxiety · Some medicines · Lack of sleep or tiredness · Irregular meals (low blood sugar) · Flickering lights such as from strobe lighting or video games · Illness which causes fever i.e. flu Don’t forget DDA covers:- Epilepsy is a tendency to have more than one seizure so is considered long term. Even those with seizures totally controlled by medications are covered by DDA as the act considers the condition without treatment (i.e. in its worse form). Brian

Posted By Bob Shillabeer Take this a step at a time. What are the risks facing a person with a condition which causes temporary loss of chysical control and what are the risk exposures? E.G. someone who works at hight and suffers a fit the risk is clear he may fall so don't let him do it. If you find someone who suffers this condition they must be grounded and the whiole problem examined.

Posted By Brian Welch Disability Discrimation Act

Posted By Tony Priest Also consider lone working and ensure your first aiders are aware of the persons condition and are able to take appropriate action in the event of a fit, this may involve them seeing the persons epilepsy action card/programme.