Rank: New forum user 
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Good evening everybody, I'm looking to tap into the great pool of knowledge here.
I have been advised of a staff member who is suffering from Fibromyalgia in the workplace and have been asked to carry out a risk assessment. The lady's work involves facilitating programmes such as infant aquatics, (although every child has a parent in the water with them), Cooking classes for parents and carrying out home visits to parents' houses.
Has anybody carried out a risk assessment for this condition or would be willing to share their experiences. I dearly would love to see this lady stay in work, but am, finding through my own risk assessment the risk is stacking up quite high !
Any help / insight would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks all in advance.
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Rank: Super forum user
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I think you should contact the below group before going any further. You have not indicated any strenuous physical needs for the work so stop and think carefully what you are seeking to assess, and that this is not just an attempt to manage the pain and weakness issues.
http://www.fmauk.org/
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Rank: Super forum user
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We have a member of staff that suffers with this condition (as does my mother) and I will be honest and say that I have not risk assessed her directly.
As the website states, sufferers will have good days and bad days, they will be in pain and feel completely drained.
I find that good communication and understanding is all that is required to manage this condition, certainly in my work place. If she isn't up to the task or feels that she can't carry on, I simply expect her to inform us and we allow her to go home. Maybe this in itself is an identification of the risk and a control measure in itself? Just to contradict myself.
Pete
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Rank: Super forum user 
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I've also dealt with an employee (in a sedentary role) with this before and haven't felt the need for a risk assessment as such. You need to understand a little about the condition which you can get from talking with the individual and your own research. 'Flares' etc can normally be managed with a little thought, consideration and co-operation.
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Rank: Super forum user 
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Hayley
You do not say you have sat down with an spoken to the staff member. That might be a good place to start.
Also, how does FM become a safety risk that needs a risk assessment? What are the risks that are "stacking up"? I don't see what they could be.
This would surely be a condition management issue, looking at what, if any, reasonable adjustments might be required. Such as flexible working, energy conservation principals, workplace layout, etc
Ian
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Rank: New forum user
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Thank you everybody for your helpful responses. I would definitely agree that communication is key and encouraging the member of staff to inform us when the going gets tough.
we have made a few changes to her role to reduce physical tasks which she herself has advised were causing her issues.
Thanks again everybody.
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Rank: Super forum user
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Sounds like you both on the ball and on the case, glad to be of service.
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Rank: New forum user
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I have a similar issue - staff member with FM says her chair is causing her pain (it is the same, adjustable chair we use for everyone). I've been asked for a workstation RA but not sure whether I am comfortable doing it myself - manager seems to think a specialist Occup Health assessment is needed because of concerns about us missing something. FMA UK (mentioned in the thread) were helpful and advised a RA by someone with experience of FMA would be the right way forward but aren't able to offer links to anyone who can do this.
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Rank: Super forum user
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Have you thought of asking the person to go through Access to Work? Their condition is highly likely to be accepted by ATW as an eligible condition.
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