Safety Considerations
Every employer and potential employee with epilepsy should know about safety considerations in the workplace.
Usually, epilepsy does not interfere with the performance of any job. There are some exceptions, such as airline pilots and military professions, because lives could be endangered should a seizure occur.
Laws governing employment may vary, depending on whether you have an established history of epilepsy when you apply for a job or whether you develop it during your employment.
Some activities may 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
- with babies or young children
- on regular overseas tours of military duty
- with unguarded apparatus or machines
- on or near moving vehicles
- with chemicals, unguarded fires, ovens, hot plates
- on isolated sites
- with valuable fragile equipment or objects.
If there is a possibility that seizures will occur at the work place, appropriate first aid procedures should be taught.
Basic Guide to First Aid Procedures for the predominant types of epilepsy [1 page PDF format]
General First Aid Procedures
The employee may have to disclose additional information regarding specific first aid procedures s/he requires.
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