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Posted By Robert S Woods
Recently one of our employees has had an epileptic fit. The company were unaware that this person suffered from epilepsy, as he did not mention it in the pre employment medical information request. The employee has worked for the company for six years and now tells us that they have not had an episode since 1986.
I have been asked to carry out a risk assessment and would like guidance, information, and any assistance you can offer on carrying out the assessment. In particular, any increased risks forum users have come across in relation to this condition. I fully intend to involve the employee concerned at every stage of the process.
The individual carries out light assembly work.
Thanks in advance
Bob
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Posted By Descarte
Does the work the employee do involve driving or using heavy machinery.
I beleive that after a epileptic fit (however infrequent) they will be required by law to tell the DMV and will be banned from driving 6months to 1year.
Not 100% clear on the heavy machinery part, but would certainly want to consider that as well.
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Posted By Catman
Hi Robert
Remember to include work at heights, even relatively low risk routine work as this condition changes things completely.
Cheers
TW
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Posted By RoseR
Hi
We have a couple of people on site who have epilepsy, both work in an office environment. I spoke to the people involved and with their consent ran a session for their colleagues regarding first aid treatment for seizures (I'm a first aid instructor) covering what to do during a seizure, and after care - although this differs from person to person. One person recovers almost immediately after a seizure, but the other had a 30 minute period of confusion and extreme fatigue. Therefore the risk assessment highlighted a need for somewhere for them to rest afterwards, however the nurses room is in another building (down 2 flights of steps and across a road) so a blanket, pillow and comfy chair/recliner was purchased for their office, and they are looked after and monitored by their colleagues - thankfully everyone wanted to have the training to be able to assist, and everyone is happy with this.
Ask the person whether they have any warning signs prior to a seizure ie. seeing flashing lights etc, this may give them time to move into a safe area and also warn their colleagues that they may have a seizure.
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Posted By Neil Wakefield
You need to fully understand the nature of your employees seizures, if there are warning signs (aura)it means they can make someone aware of this and be moved to a safe area / or you can advise their colleagues what signs to look for and the action to take, if they suffer black outs then you are faced with additional risk of injury.
Either way until the condition is proven to be medically controlled (1 year for the DVLA)you have to assume there is a risk of another seizure.
Also be aware that a fit is the most severe of seizures, absences can happen regularly and present as great a risk to an operator as a seizure.
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Posted By Descarte
As mentioned above, Absence seizures could have been occuring in the past and gone un-noticed.
Would agree with the training preferably with the permission of the person/s in volved.
Know of a scenario in an office a year or two back, person though the other was just ignoring them, upon further investigation and repeat of incident turned out the person in question was having an absence and obviously didnt even know what had happened.
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Posted By Pat Hannaway
Hi Robert,
a site you might be interested in visiting is "Epilepsy Action". This is the national charity for people with, or interested in the condition. It has some very useful information.
www.epilepsy.org.uk
As the other contributors have said, it is vital that you involve the person with the condition in any risk assessments as they are best placed to advise you.
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