UK employment restrictions

In the UK the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) covers all areas of employment except the British Army, the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force.

Some jobs and careers, however, are governed by health regulations. An example of these is when a job requires someone to have been seizure free for a set period of time before applying for a post or training.

Some areas of employment have different health regulations, depending on whether someone has a history of epilepsy or whether their epilepsy begins while they are in post.

Jobs that are restricted by law:

• Armed services

Jobs that may be restricted due to health and safety regulations:

• Aircraft pilot
• Ambulance driver
• Child minder
• Coastguard
• Divers
• Fire brigade
• LGV/PCV and taxi drivers
• Merchant seafarer
• Police
• Prison service
• Train driver

Some activities pose special dangers for people whose seizures are not controlled.

These include jobs which involve working:

• at unprotected heights
• near open water
• with high voltage or open circuit electricity
• with unguarded apparatus or machines
• on or near moving vehicles
• with chemicals, unguarded fires, ovens and hot plates
• on isolated sites

The advice here is very general. For more specific advice, contact the Epilepsy Helpline, freephone 0808 800 5050