Dear Colleagues,
I am the Disability Services Coordinator at Central School of Speech and Drama. I would like to ask your advice regarding a student who has recently enrolled with us.
The student has an undiagnosed condition that causes them to blackout for up to 20 minutes. These blackouts started approx. 2 years ago happening every day but have become less frequent over time (the student reports once or twice a month). There is no formal diagnosis. The student reports that they underwent investigation at a private hospital and was set to be referred to a specialist however this never progressed. The student disclosed after they registered and we are currently requesting medical information from their GP and hospital.
The student reports that triggers for the blackouts include:
- Unexpected loud bangs, simulated gunshots and fire alarms
- Stress, feeling claustrophobic or overheated
- When sitting to standing or standing to sitting too quickly
- Being stationary for long periods
The student reports that they have developed better control and understanding of when episodes are about to occur and developed personal strategies – for example lying on the floor with her legs raised and avoiding being stationary for too long.
The course the student is enrolled on is a theatre scenic construction course. A risk assessment has been written by members of the scenic workshop and their findings in relation to the student taking part in taught and student directed activities in the scenic workshop are outlined below my email signature. In summary - due to the possible hazards and heavy machinery the workshop staff feel that the student should be supervised by a qualified first Aider at all times whilst in the scenic workshop. That is to say not a member of staff or another student. The implications of this risk assessment will have significant support costs that are likely to fall on the institution in the absence of a formal diagnosis allowing access to DSA .
Do other members have any experience of a student with a similar condition who is working in a workshop environment with potentially dangerous equipment? We are still in the early stages of gathering medical evidence and as yet therefore DSA application and process may be some time.
Any advice or information would be gratefully received to [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]><mailto:[log in to unmask]>
Best wishes,
Jamie Crabb
Disability Services Coordinator
Central School of Speech and Drama
Embassy Theatre, Eton Avenue
London, NW3 3HY
e: [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]><mailto:[log in to unmask]>
t: 020 7559 3992
ext: 2292
Please note - I do not work on Fridays.
Risk Assessment
- Unexpected loud bangs.
- The nature of scenic construction and construction workshops would involve unexpected loud noises, from various sources at unexpected intervals, throughout any period in the workshop. For example, a compressor starting up, hammering, metal work, nail guns etc and it would not be reasonable to give warning of these noises before hand.
- The scenic workshop houses major plant and equipment, such as the radial arm saw, that could be extremely dangerous if someone was to fall onto or near to it. Power tools are regularly used in the workshop that could cause serious injury if they were dropped or fallen onto.
- In the scenic workshop, due to COSHH regulations, we have a dust extractor on major plant equipment that can come on at any time. The noise level is within the regulations however the machinery is very noisy when it starts up and during the running.
- Being stationary for long periods
- Staff and students work in teams, in close proximity to each other, anywhere in the workshop and are required to stand for lengthy periods of time at machinery or benches. It would not be possible to operate most of the machinery or most power tools whilst sitting.
- Stress, feeling claustrophobic or overheated
- During production builds, and due to the nature of the subject, there will be periods of high pressure which could result in stress. There may also be requirements to work in confined areas.
- Solution
- The student should have 1:1 supervision by a qualified medical person at all times whilst in the scenic workshop. That is to say not a member of staff or another student.
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