Is an injury to an employee caused by an epileptic fit/seizure RIDDOR reportable?

You are expected to report work-related ill health. This is a health condition that has been caused by or made worse by work.

This may include:

• A musculoskeletal condition (e.g. regular aches and pains) associated with the use of computers or lifting and carrying

• An infection that is likely to have been contracted through working with a group of people who are more likely to have the infection than the general population, or to pass on an infection due to their actions. It would not include coughs and colds, and stomach bugs, etc.

It is not normally necessary to report persons with an existing health condition being taken ill (e.g. a fit in a person known to have epilepsy).

A member of staff may suffer a seizure or fitting for a number of reasons, but most commonly through epilepsy. Epilepsy is not harmful but can be distressing to the staff and can result in injury as the sufferer falls or becomes unconscious. If a member of staff suffers an epileptic seizure at work, it is important to keep them from injuring themselves and keep them safe until the seizure passes – usually after just a few minutes. A risk assessment may need to be performed for certain activities if the staff member is likely to suffer frequent episodes.

The manager may need to monitor increases in such incidents where the work is safety critical, as it may prompt a need for an occupational health review.

As you rightly mentioned, it is a pre-existing condition and is not exacerbated or caused by work exposure.