Deborah Williams CMIOSH RMaPS at Compass Ltd. Deborah specialises in assisting private sector organisations within the construction, waste management and extractive industries.
01257 482256 |
dwilliams@compass-ms.co.uk HEALTH & SAFETY
First aid at work
ACCIDENTS and illness can happen at any time, including at work; first aid can save lives and prevent minor injuries becoming major ones. Employers are responsible for ensuring that immediate medical attention is given if their employees are taken ill or injured at work.
Employers must make appropriate first aid arrangements for the workplace. In order to do this, an assessment of the first aid needs of the workplace should be done. This assessment should include:
• the workplace, including its location and proximity to emergency services;
• the workforce, including the size, shift patterns and any specific needs; and • the hazards and risks present.
The first aid arrangements will depend on the outcome of the first aid needs assessments and the particular circumstances in the workplace at any given time. The findings of the first aid needs assessment should indicate the level of first aid equipment, facilities and personnel required. As a minimum, each employer should provide:
• a suitably stocked first aid kit; • an appointed person to take charge of first-aid arrangements; and
• information for all employees giving details of first-aid arrangements.
Where a first aid needs assessment identifies workplace or workforce issues, or more significant health and safety risks, it is likely that a sufficient number of appropriately trained first aiders will be needed, as well as additional equipment and facilities.
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First aiders and appointed persons The first aid needs assessment may identify that a first aider is needed (for example, where a workplace uses machinery or hazardous materials). A first aider is someone who has been trained in first aid at work, emergency first aid at work or some other appropriate level of training as identify by the needs assessment.
If a first aid needs assessment identifies that a first-aider is not required, a person should still be appointed to take charge of the first aid arrangements (the appointed person). This would include looking after the equipment and facilities and calling for emergency services when required. An appointed person is not required to have any formal training. It is important to ensure that someone is always available to take charge of the first aid arrangements whenever people are at work.
The first aid kit
The minimum level of first aid equipment needed is a suitably stocked first aid kit. At least one first aid kit for each workplace should be provided, although more than one might be required for larger workplaces. Each kit should be stocked with a sufficient quantity of first aid materials suitable for the workplace.
First aid kits should be readily accessible and the contents should be checked frequently and restocked after use. The first aid needs assessment may identify the needs for additional materials and equipment eg foil blankets, additional eye wash solution or cleansing wipes.
First aid facilities
A suitable first aid room may be required in larger premises or where more dangerous hazards are present. This room should be readily accessible and a designated person should be responsible for supervising it. Wherever possible a first aid room should be used exclusively for the purposes of first aid. A first aid room should:
• be large enough to hold an examination / medical couch;
• have washable surfaces and adequate heating, ventilation and lighting;
• be kept clean, tidy, accessible and available for use at all times when employees are at work;
• ideally have a sink with hot and cold running water; and
• be positioned as near as possible to a point of access for transport to hospital.
Accidents and ill-health Under health and safety law, the employer must report and keep a record of certain injuries, incidents and cases of work-related disease. RIDDOR (the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013) puts duties on employers, the self-employed and people in control of work premises to report certain serious workplace accidents, occupation diseases and specified dangerous occurrence or near misses.
In addition to being a legal requirement, keeping records can also help to identify patterns in the incidence of accidents and injuries and will assist in completing risk assessments.
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