First Aid
First Aid, put simply, is the immediate action taken in an
emergency. It can stop a condition from worsening, encourage
recovery and even save a life. It is an invaluable aspect of
any working environment or indeed any life situation where
an accident or sudden illness can occur.
First Aid in the Workplace
The Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981 require
employers to provide adequate and appropriate equipment, facilities
and personnel to enable first aid to be given to employees
if they are injured or become ill at work.
The minimum first aid provision in any workplace is:
- Having a first-aid box containing the right equipment
- Having a person appointed to oversee first aid provision
Remember this applies to all workplaces including those with
five or fewer employees, and to the self-employed.
It is important that employers have made arrangements to
ensure that, if necessary, staff can receive immediate First
Aid in the workplace. This includes providing the right equipment
and staff to monitor supplies of this equipment. Having competent
First Aiders in the workplace can lessen the threat of any
dangerous situation and literally mean the difference between
life and death.
Remember that accidents can happen at any time and so first
aid provision needs to be available at all times.
Appointed Person
An Appointed Person is the person who is assigned to take
charge of First Aid. This means taking control when someone
is ill or injured, including calling 999. They are responsible
for First Aid equipment and keeping boxes stocked up. An Appointed
Person should be available at all times, so it may be necessary
to appoint more than one to cover the workplace fully.
Ouch Training Team offers Appointed
Person courses to help the delegate learn about their
role and become trained in important life saving skills and
techniques that can help to increase their effectiveness
in an emergency. Appointed Persons should not attempt to
give First Aid for which they have not been trained.
First Aider
A First Aider is a person who has successfully attended a 4
Day First Aid At Work training course and who holds a
current First Aid at Work certificate. This training can
be obtained from Ouch Training Team as we are an HSE Approved
organisation. (Certificate No: 113/00). More than one First
Aider may be needed but a First Aider can undertake the duties
of an Appointed Person. Remember as your business grows you
may need to reassess the number of First Aiders required.
What First Aid training do you need?
Look at the list below to see whether you need more than the
minimum First Aid provision (i.e. a first aid box and someone
to maintain this box)
-
If you have 5 or more employees you
need to make an assessment of significant risks in your
workplace.
If there are significant risks then First Aiders may be needed
-
Are there any specific risks, for example:
dangerous equipment, hazardous substances?
You will need to consider specific training for First Aiders
and possibly extra First Aid equipment placed in the right
position.
-
What patterns can be shown by the records
of accidents and illness?
This may affect where First Aiders and equipment are located
and what type of First Aid equipment you have.
-
How many people are working on-site?
This can affect whether or not First Aiders are needed and
if so how many should be available on-site.
-
Does anyone who works on site have a
disability or health problem?
You may need more qualified First Aiders or special equipment
sited in the correct place.
-
Does the organisation have a number
of sites or numerous floors?
You will need to consider provision in each building or on
several of the floors.
-
Do employees do shifts or out-of-hours
working?
Remember First Aid facilities need to be available all the
time when people are at work.
-
Is the workplace some distance away
from emergency medical services?
Medical services will need to be informed of your location
and you may need to make special arrangements with the emergency
services.
-
Do some of your employees travel extensively
or work on their own?
Personal First Aid kits and mobile phones may need to be
issued.
-
Do any employees work at sites shared
by other employers?
You will need to discuss provision with the other employers.
-
Do you have any trainees on work experience?
They will still need to be protected by your First Aiders
and/or equipment.
-
Do members of the public visit the
premises?
You have no legal responsibilities for the public regarding
First Aid but the HSE recommends that you include them in
your First Aid provision.
How many First Aiders or Appointed Persons do I need?
The number of First Aiders and Appointed Persons required
depends on the workplace. The following table may help when
deciding on the risks in your organisation and the relevant
number of First Aid personnel required. The information in
the table is not a legal requirement but illustrates suggestions
offered by the HSE to help you decide:
Informing Employees
It is vital that everyone in the building knows where the
first aid equipment is located and who is first aid trained.
This can be advertised by displaying easy to understand first
aid notices in effective locations. New staff should be informed
of first aid procedures during induction training and remember
to make special arrangements for those who have reading or
language difficulties.
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