3 SEIZURE THRESHOLDS & TRIGGERS - PHOTOSENSITIVE EPILEPSY Photosensitive epilepsy is a type of epilepsy, in which all or most seizures are triggered by flashing or flickering light. The seizure will usually happen at the time or shortly after exposure. The seizure may be focal or generalised. The instance of photo epilepsy in the general population is about 3 in 10,000. There are likely to be about 2 members of the University population who are photo-epileptic. Specific common photo-epilepsy triggers are considered below. Members of staff with University to make reasonable adjustments to workplace and job to remove or reduce known triggers within its control. Manager to make further enquires. Possible avenues for investigation are: Do you suffer from photosensitive epilepsy? Is there anything within your workplace or job that might trigger a photo epileptic seizure? Is there anything within your workplace or job that might increase the risk of having a photo epileptic seizure? 3A SEIZURE THRESHOLDS & TRIGGERS - PHOTOSENSITIVE EPILEPSY - CEILING FANS A light seen through a fast-rotating ceiling fan may trigger a seizure. Members of staff with If ceiling fans are installed, they must be slow rotating. (Any flickering should be <=4Hz)
3B SEIZURE THRESHOLDS & TRIGGERS - PHOTOSENSITIVE EPILEPSY - IT EQUIPMENT Flashing or flickering lights on the screen may trigger seizures. Rapidly changing images on the screen may trigger seizures. Contrasting or moving patterns on the screen may trigger seizures Members of staff with COMPUTER SCREENS Make sure the workroom is well lit and provide a desk lamp near to the screen (to lessen high contrast patterns). If possible, use a LCD or Plasma screen. If you use a CRT screen make sure that the refresh rate is set to >70 Hz. Most business applications (eg word processing) are unlikely to generate flashing lights or high contrast patterns. INTERACTIVE WHITEBOARDS Interactive whiteboards are unlikely to cause problems unless they are used to project flashing or flickering lights or contrasting patterns Manager to make further enquires. Possible avenues for investigation are: Is using a computer screen with business applications likely to trigger an epileptic seizure? Is using an interactive white board with business applications likely to trigger an epileptic seizure? Photo epileptics who experience any discomfort, such as dizziness, blurred vision, loss of awareness, or muscle twitching while using IT equipment should stop looking at the screen immediately and leave the area. The problem should be reported to the manager and the risk assessment updated accordingly. 3C SEIZURE THRESHOLDS & TRIGGERS - PHOTOSENSITIVE EPILEPSY - LIGHTING Fluorescent strip lighting and bulbs may trigger seizures if they flicker because they are faulty. Members of staff with Faulty lighting to be reported and replaced in the work area. Whilst awaiting repair of the light, persons with photo-epilepsy should work elsewhere.
7A PROVISION OF FIRST AID - FOCAL SEIZURES Member of staff may suffer a focal seizure and require first aid assistance. Likely symptoms are: The person is not aware of their surroundings or of what they are doing, this may manifest as Plucking at their clothes Smacking their lips Swallowing repeatedly Wandering around Member of staff with epilepsy First aid providers Colleagues in the vicinity. Provide first aid treatment as recommended – see first aid information sheet Guide the person away from danger Stay with the person until recovery is complete Be calmly reassuring Explain anything that they have missed During a seizure do not Restrain the person Act in a way that could frighten them (such as shouting or being overly forceful) Assume the person is aware of what is happening or what has happened Give them anything to eat or drink until they are fully recovered Attempt to bring them around First Aid at Work qualified first aiders are unlikely to be routinely trained in epilepsy awareness. It is advisable for the person with epilepsy to contact their local first aiders to make them aware of possible need for action. (Managers can do this on behalf of a staff member if they so wish). The person’s regular work colleagues would also benefit from having information about what to do in case of a seizure.