Seizure in the workplace: How first aiders are trained to respond

Around 630,000 people in the UK have epilepsy, one of the leading causes of seizures, that's around 1 in every 100 people who are at risk of a seizure, so it’s important to know what to do if someone in your workplace has a seizure. Our workplace guidance feature looks at what a seizure is, the possible workplace environments where seizures may arise, and how you can help and prepare if a colleague has a seizure in your workplace.

How our training prepares first aiders to help someone having a seizure in the workplaces

Our course learners will build the skills and confidence to know what to do if someone has a seizure in the workplace through learner led, hands-on practical exercises along with engaging video presentations. For example, learners might spend time in small groups brainstorming some of the background and triggers for a seizure and working out what the best course of action is. Our trainers will use coaching techniques to enable learners to discuss some of the myths they may have heard around seizures and to decide the correct steps to take. The trainers may also set up a scenario using training manikins with notes featuring the signs that they are displaying for learners to practice helping a person who is having or has just had a seizure.

What happens when someone is having a seizure

A seizure is caused by a disturbance in the electrical activity in the brain. This can cause involuntary contractions of the person’s muscles, and they may become unresponsive, or their level of response could be impaired.

In what workplace situations or environments may seizures arise?

Not everyone with epilepsy will be triggered by the same factors. An individual’s seizures can be trigged by specific factors that are likely to be in a work environment including:

• flashing lights
• extreme temperatures changes
• high stress levels
• working at heights
• operating heaving machinery
• driving
• working with hazardous chemicals
• irregular shifts or long working hours.

What to do if someone has a seizure in the workplace

If someone is having a seizure, they may have collapsed and be making sudden jerking movements. They may also have froth around their mouth.

1. Protect them from injury. Do not restrain them.

• Use a blanket or clothing to protect their head. Make space around them – ask bystanders to move back.
• Restraining them may cause injury to you or them. Let the seizure run its normal course. Please respect their dignity whilst waiting for the seizure to stop.

2. After the seizure, when the jerky movements have stopped, help them to rest on their side with their head tilted back.

• An easy way to move someone onto their side is using the recovery position.
• Putting them in this position with their head back helps keep the airway open by making sure their tongue falls forward and blood and vomit can drain out.

3. Call 999 if necessary.

• If the seizure lasts longer than five minutes; if they have hurt themselves or if you are unsure as to the cause, then you should call 999.
• If the person having a seizure has epilepsy, then it is not always necessary to call 999 for an ambulance.

How can you be prepared for someone having a seizure in the workplace?

Not everyone with epilepsy has frequent seizures and in many cases a person’s epilepsy can be managed with medication. If you’re aware that a member of your team experiences seizures, this will impact your organisation’s first aid needs assessment, as well as informing decisions on the number and level of training required for first aiders at work. There are some other causes of seizures that are unrelated to a person’s medical background of epilepsy.

Other incidents such as a head injury, reaction to medication or toxic substance exposure could lead to anybody having a seizure. As part of the first aid needs assessment consider how seizures could affect a person’s safety at work and what adjustments can be made to the person’s working environment.

Download our first aid needs assessment template, so you can equip your team with the tools, skills, and confidence to act in a first aid emergency.

All British Red Cross Training first aid at work courses including 1-day Emergency First Aid at Work course, 2-day First Aid at Work Requalification course and 3-day First Aid at Work course , feature training on how to help someone who is having a seizure.