First Aid Policy. Health and Safety Services. November First Aid Policy. Health & Safety Services. November 2011

Transcription

1 Health and Safety Services 1

2 Contents Page No. 1. Policy Statement 3 2. Responsibilities under the Policy 3 3. Departmental Arrangements 4 4. First Aiders 5 5. Selection of First Aiders 6 6. Planning First Aid Provision 6 7. First Aid away from Campus Equipment Information Training Obtaining First Aid Obtaining further help Records Policy Review 13 Appendix 1. First Aid Equipment 14 2

3 1. Policy Statement It is University policy that: on all University campuses and sites there are sufficient number of trained personnel, equipment and information available to ensure that someone competent in basic first aid techniques can rapidly attend an incident during normal working hours or outside normal hours when a building is regularly occupied a fully qualified first aider is always available during normal hours on each University campus or site to attend an incident beyond the competence of a lifesaver appropriate first aid arrangements are made for staff and students engaged in fieldwork 2. Responsibilities under the Policy Heads of Departments, Directorates and Services are responsible for: ensuring first aid needs within their areas of operation are assessed and addressed appointing a Co-ordinator to organise provision of first aid services across their areas ensuring appropriate first aid cover is available for field work Departmental First Aid Co-ordinators are responsible for: assessing the first aid needs of their department ensuring sufficient numbers of suitably trained first aiders are available organising provision and replenishment of equipment recording any joint cover arrangements with other departments ensuring information on obtaining first aid is made available and is up-dated liaising with the Departmental Safety Officer and the University s central Health & Safety advisors on first aid issues First aiders are responsible for: responding promptly to calls for assistance within their area providing support within their competence summoning further help if necessary reporting details of treatment provided The Health and Safety Services are responsible for: advising on appropriate levels of provision of first aid providing guidance on implementation of the University policy advising on the provision and content of first aid training maintaining records of departmental co-ordinators liaison with co-ordinators auditing arrangements for the provision of first aid in University organising provision of first aid training organising recall of first aiders for refresher training assisting in the monitoring of first aid arrangements on University sites 3

4 The Security and Portering Services Manager is responsible for: managing back up support to first aiders in departments on the Hull Campus managing out-of hours first aid cover to the Hull Campus Security staff are to provide first aid cover on campus and guide emergency services to the site of any incidents. The Commercial Services Director is responsible for: ensuring first aid cover is available in halls of residence during normal working hours The Conference and Functions Coordinator is responsible for: Ensuring first aid cover is available for events, conferences and vacation residents in halls of residence The Sport and Fitness Centre Manager is responsible for: Ensuring first aid cover is available at University sports facilities whilst in use. Wardens of Halls of Residence are responsible for: providing first aid cover when Halls are occupied by students during nights and weekends ensuring wardening staff are trained in emergency first aid ensuring students are informed of first aid arrangements ensuring first aid equipment is provided for use in halls of residence 3. Departmental arrangements Effective first aid provision relies on a number of factors. As well as: an adequate number of trained first aiders first aid equipment there has to be: local risk assessment to determine needs & resources local organisation of first aiders local display of information on how to obtain help periodic review of arrangements Heads of Departments Must appoint a First Aid Co-ordinator to organise first aid for the department. The co-ordinator must be given sufficient time, authority & support for them to fulfil their responsibilities. 4

5 First Aid Co-ordinators The person appointed should be willing to take on the role, able to carry out risk assessments and preferably be a first aider. They should be a member of the department s safety committee. Coordinators must have an account. Co-ordinator s responsibilities A co-ordinator will normally be responsible for: undertaking & reviewing the department s assessment of first aid needs organising recruitment of first aiders inducting new first aiders distributing information notices to first aiders organising stocking and replenishment of first aid supplies display and updating of first aid notices liaison with the Departmental Safety Officer and University Occupational Health & Safety Advisers 4. First Aiders First Aiders must be allowed time to attend incidents and to attend training. They should have easy access to a first aid kit and disposable gloves. All first aiders should be contactable via for distribution of information on first aid issues. Arrangements should be made to pass on mailings to first aiders who do not have access to . There are two types of qualified first aider in the University: fully qualified First Aiders can provide first aid assistance in almost all situations likely to occur in University Lifesavers are able to deal with immediately life-threatening conditions and look after someone if unconscious. In the guidance the term first aider refers to both fully qualified First Aiders and Lifesavers. In addition, there is a category called Appointed Person. In areas with very low numbers of staff, a qualified first aider may not be necessary, but there should be someone who looks after the first aid equipment, and knows how to summon help when required. Both First Aiders and Lifesavers are able to recognise and manage any immediately lifethreatening condition. If the problem needs a fully qualified First Aider, a Lifesaver can safely look after the casualty whilst a First Aider is called over. All first aiders have attended an approved course in first aid. Fully qualified First Aiders have gained a nationally-accepted First Aid at Work certificate. Lifesavers have gained a certificate of competence in emergency first aid techniques. All fully qualified first aiders have to undertake a skills update every year and refresher training every 3 years. 5

6 5. Selection of first aiders Personal qualities To be an effective first aider, a person needs to be reliable, able to stay calm in an emergency, have a good standard of personal hygiene & be fit enough to rapidly attend an incident. The person must be willing to provide first aid to anyone at any time whilst at work and to attend training courses to obtain and retain their qualification. Recruitment First aiders should be selected from staff who can be easily contacted and who are usually based in the area for which they are providing cover. Staff who are likely to be long term employees should be selected for training in preference to staff who are likely to leave within two years of training. Students should only be recruited as first aiders where it proves impossible to recruit staff to meet a defined need. New members of staff should be asked at induction whether they are trained in first aid and willing to act as a first aider if the need arises. If so, their details should be passed on to the department s first aid co-ordinator. If subsequently appointed as a first aider, the University Safety Office should be notified so that the person can be enrolled into the University first aiders retraining programme. 6. Planning first aid provision Departments must carry out an assessment of the first aid needs of the department. This should usually be undertaken by the first aid co-ordinator in co-operation with the departmental safety officer. The assessment and decisions taken on the basis of it, should be recorded. An electronic template is available from Health and Safety Services to assist in the assessment. Where a department is located in more than one building, separate local assessments may need to be undertaken. Assessments should take in to account: number of occupants workplace & task hazards building layout other occupants hours of work availability of back up support on the campus or site foreseeable absences of first aiders Outcome The assessment should provide answers to: how many first aiders are needed in the department? where are they needed? whether any need to be fully-qualified? what equipment is needed? where should equipment be located? 6

7 where should notices & signs be posted? in order for first aid support to be rapidly and reliably obtained when needed. Number of occupants The average number of staff, students & visitor numbers which are in the building at any one time during the day during normal working hours should be taken into account. Hazards A Departments occupied area should be split into lower hazard and higher hazard areas. a. Lower Hazard Areas These are areas such as offices, computer suites, libraries and lecture theatres. The HSE guidance taking into account the overall occupancy levels is: For less than 25 people, there should be 1 Appointed Person For between 25 and 50 people, there should be 1 Lifesaver For between 51 and 100 people, there should be 1 First Aid at Work trained person For every extra 100 people, add one First Aid at Work trained person b. Higher Hazard Areas These are areas such as workshops, laboratories, plant rooms and kitchens. Higher hazard areas can be single rooms, or if in close proximity, should be considered as a group. The HSE guidance taking into account the overall occupancy levels is: For less than 5 people, there should be 1 Appointed Person For between 5 and 50 people, there should be 1 Lifesaver For every extra 50 people add one First Aid at Work trained person However, the University specifies that the minimum first aid cover in Higher Hazard Areas should be 1 Lifesaver. For the purposes of determining the whether the first aid cover should be in the Higher Hazard Area, or part of the general building cover, the higher hazard areas can also be split into low, medium and high risk areas. High Risk Medium Risk Low Risk If there is a potential to cause serious injury and the likelihood of this happening is medium to high (i.e. high frequency of use) then it has a high risk rating. The potential for serious injury is high, with low likelihood; Or Medium injury potential, with medium likelihood Low potential for serious injury, with medium to low likelihood; Or medium injury potential with low likelihood. 7

8 Risk Minimum First Aid Cover Detail Rating Required Low 1 Lifesaver in the general area First aiders for these areas can be built Medium 1 Lifesaver in the immediate area into the number required as a whole. Selected first aiders must be people with knowledge of the local risks High 1 Lifesaver in the immediate area A full First Aid at Work trained person is recommended if access controls delay outside help from gaining admittance to the area. Selected first aiders must be people with knowledge of the specific risks Specific training may be required c. Specific arrangements may be necessary to cover work with unusual, rapidly dangerous hazards e.g. research work using toxins or dangerous pathogens: the person in charge of the work should address these in the COSHH assessment for the particular work. Health and Safety Services should be consulted for advice and the first aid coordinator informed. Building layout In most buildings the first aid cover should be spread evenly across floors or the occupied areas. Where the layout of an area or security measures may hamper access, additional first aiders may need to be appointed. Other occupants Assessments should take into account other occupants of a building. Where co-operative working between members of different departments sharing a building will improve the effectiveness of first aid response, suitable arrangements should be agreed and recorded. Out-of-hours working At times outside the normal University day, when buildings are regularly occupied by significant numbers of people (more than 30 persons working in offices or libraries or more than 15 persons engaged in laboratory work within a building) a first aider should be available within the building. The minimum level of cover at such times is one Lifesaver per building. A Lifesaver should be available in each building in the mornings to provide cover for cleaning staff. Where this cannot be achieved, alternative cover must be arranged and cleaning staff notified of this. 8

9 Campus support On the Hull campus, the Security Team will provide back-up first aid support on request to departmental first aiders during normal hours and a campus-wide first aid response out of normal working hours. Interdepartmental co-operation Where a building or part of a building is shared by small units of different departments, units should plan first aid cover jointly. Joint cover agreements should be documented and a named individual made responsible for ensuring the agreement works and is maintained. The University s Safety Advisors will monitor cooperative working agreements. Responsibility for ensuring that such arrangements are effective lies with the departments involved. Foreseeable absences of first aiders: holidays, sick leave, work commitments away from the person s usual location have to be taken into account when calculating levels of provision Out of term time provision Where a departmental assessment includes large numbers of undergraduate students, the first aid provision may be reduced between term times. This will allow for flexibility when staff members make their own plans for leave. Numbers of first aiders The numbers of appointed Lifesavers and fully trained first aiders should be no more than necessary to meet the objectives of the University policy, taking into account the factors above. Appointing larger numbers of first aiders than this may make it more difficult to provide an effective first aid response: first aider s skills may be lost through lack of opportunity to use them; annual refresher training may become impractical if the numbers of first aiders in University rise too high; first aid notices will require more frequent updating to remain accurate. Review Periodic review of the adequacy and effectiveness of first aid arrangements is an integral part of an effective health & safety management process. Review should be part of a department s annual health & safety inspection or conducted separately. Significant changes in a department s structure e.g. a move into a new building or a new research group being set up should provoke at least a partial review of first aid arrangements. Audit The University Health and Safety Service periodically reviews systems within Departments for ensuring first aid cover is available. It also monitors the effectiveness of first aid response through scrutiny of accident reports and Security reports. 9

10 7. First aid away from the main campus Fieldwork Departments with fieldwork commitments on taught courses must carry out an assessment of first aid needs for these courses as part of the fieldwork risk assessment. Fieldwork leaders must be trained to at least Lifesaver standard. Field course leaders and deputy leaders to remote areas (as a guide where assistance to full medical aid cannot be achieved within 6 hours) should have completed the Far from Help first aid training course, in addition to holding the first aid at work certificate. Where staff are supervising students in less remote areas than above, but still away from easily accessible medical assistance, at least one person present should be first aid trained. For urban locations fewer staff may need to be trained, depending upon the way the course is organized, with a minimum of one first aider on all courses. Students should receive basic first aid & personal safety training before being required to work in the field for significant periods of time out of immediate contact with a trained leader. General information on fieldwork safety can be found in the Safety Unit's area. Sports Facilities At least one person trained to full First Aider standard, must be available at times when sports grounds are in official use. In addition, a defibrillator unit and trained operator should be available. Halls of Residence Each hall of residence must have a first aid box available at all times. At least one member of the hall, trained to full First Aider standard, should be available at nights and at week-ends when the hall is occupied. Wardens and sub-wardens should attend an appropriate training course unless they already hold a valid first aid qualification and be prepared to provide first aid when in hall. Where it is impossible to provide adequate cover by training of wardens and sub-wardens, students may be trained as Lifesavers to meet needs. A valid first aid qualification could be taken into account when assessing re-applicants. First Aid notices in halls should include information on how to obtain help at times when there is no trained first aid support available. Fitness Testing At least one person trained to full First Aider training and a defibrillator unit and trained operator should be available. 8. Equipment 8.1 First Aid Boxes. At least one first aid box has to be readily available in a building whilst the building is occupied. In large buildings, or where a building is occupied by more than one department, each department should maintain its own box, unless a single box is held at a staffed reception desk for the building and can be quickly delivered to an incident. 10

11 The minimum contents of first aid boxes should comply with Appendix 1 of the guidance. Sufficient materials should be to hand to cover the usual maximum occupancy of the area covered. Extra items, such as or calcium gluconate gel can be added where the risk assessment deems them necessary. University vehicles should carry a first aid box. Restocking An individual preferably the first aid co-ordinator or a first aider should be made responsible for regularly checking and replenishing first aid boxes. The frequency of checks should be specified in the department s first aid assessment. It should relate to the frequency with which supplies are used up. Food preparation areas In commercial food preparation areas only detectable (blue) plasters should be available for use. 9. Information Accurate, accessible information on how to obtain first aid is essential for an effective response. Induction All new staff, students and visitors in a department should be provided with information at induction on how to obtain first aid assistance. This information should cover: general organisation of first aid in the department where to find information on first aiders emergency phone numbers where to obtain a first aid box First aid notices Notices should be posted up in communal areas, e.g. lift lobbies, entrance halls and in areas where enquiries on where to find a first aider are likely e.g. reception desks, general offices, notice boards, departmental web sites. Notices should be easily recognisable through use of the standard first aid symbol (a green cross) & provide information on: the name, room number & telephone number of first aiders within the building or department who the nearest first aiders are Suitable notices are available from Health and Safety Services. 11

12 Laboratories, kitchens, workshops and large offices Should each have a notice posted up providing information on the nearest first aiders and how to summon additional help if needed. Up-dating All first aid notices should be regularly checked for accuracy and up-dated. Notices will need to be altered if a listed first aider leaves, moves location or does not renew their certificate and to provide information on new first aiders. All first aiders need to be kept informed of changes in the location of other first aiders. Lifesavers need to be specifically informed of how to obtain assistance from a fully qualified First Aider. 10. Training All first aiders have to attend an assessed training course to be recognised as a first aider. All first aid training for Departmental first aiders is organised by Health and Safety Services. A variety of courses are offered. Details are provided on the Health and Safety Services web site: Anyone wishing to attend a first aid course must first obtain approval from their first aid coordinator. The course for fully qualified First Aiders follows the syllabus proscribed in the First Aid at Work Regulations for the award of a First Aid at Work certificate. The course covers initial management of all problems likely to be encountered in the work place. The initial training course is 3 days long. There is a ½ day refresher course each year thereafter. Fully qualified first aiders must requalify on a 2 day course every 3 years. The Lifesavers training course teaches emergency first aid techniques, necessary to be competent in the treatment of immediately life-threatening conditions and first aid for chemical burns. The initial training course is 1 day long. There is a ½ day refresher course each year thereafter. Lifesavers must requalify on a 1 day course every 3 years. Appointed persons do not require specific training, but should be aware of the location of a first aid box, and how to summon help in the event of an accident. Defibrillator training Defibrillator training is available from Health and Safety Services and as part of the Annual First Aid Refresher course. Only those with a current first aid at work certificate are eligible for the training. 12

13 11. Obtaining First Aid If someone is injured, or becomes unwell and needs help, the nearest first aider should be contacted, and asked to attend. The first aider will assess the situation, provide help, request assistance from other first aiders if necessary, and stay with the casualty until recovered or arrangements for further care if needed are made. If attempts to summon a first aider fail, then Security should be contacted on the campus emergency number to assist. Failure to obtain an effective first aid response should be reported to the Health & Safety Office as a dangerous occurrence. 12. Obtaining Further help Defibrillator Operators These are requested through Security on the campus emergency number. They should be requested only where a casualty requires resuscitation i.e. where breathing or circulation is thought to have stopped. Medical support When a first aider thinks that a casualty needs urgent medical treatment, the first aider should arrange for the casualty to be taken to the hospital accident & emergency department via ambulance. An ambulance must be called for through Security on the campus emergency number. Security will guide the ambulance (or first responder) to the location of the casualty. 13. Records Assessment A written record of the current departmental first aid needs assessment should be kept for reference and as evidence of effective health & safety management. A template form is available from the Health and Safety Office for this purpose. A copy of the assessment must be forwarded to the Health and Safety Office. First Aid A casualty treatment form should be completed every time a first aider provides assistance to a casualty, including when the problem was illness rather than accident. As well as the usual details of the accident (if appropriate) the name of the person giving first aid and summary details of the treatment given should be recorded. 14. Policy Review This policy will be reviewed on a three yearly basis or at an earlier date if changes are required due to risk assessment review or changes in government advice. 13

14 Appendix 1: First aid equipment 1. Recommended contents for a standard first aid box. A leaflet giving general guidance on first aid 60 Individually wrapped sterile adhesive dressings, assorted sizes, (dressings may be of a detectable type for food handlers) 3 Sterile eye pads 3 Individually wrapped triangular bandages 12 safety pins 6 Medium sized individually wrapped sterile unmedicated wound dressings approximately 12cm x 12cm 2 Large sterile individually wrapped unmedicated wound dressings approximately 18cm x 18cm 9 Pairs of large powder-free nitrile gloves 30 Alcohol Free Cleansing Wipes 1 Microporous Tape 2.5cm x 5mtr 3 Finger Dressings 3.5cm x 3.5cm 1 Revive Aid mouth to mouth resuscitator 2 Emergency thermal blankets 2 Hydrogel Burn Dressings 10cm x 10cm 1 Pair of small Tuff Cut scissors black 6 2 conforming bandages 7.5cmx4.5mtr 1 Clinical waste disposal bag These are recommended contents only. An assessment may conclude some additional materials or equipment would be useful, e.g. eye wash etc. These could be stored in the first-aid box, or alternatively in a separate box kept by the first-aider if this is more convenient. Most commercially available boxes will have contents similar to those listed in the table. 2. Adhesive plasters for catering outlets Plasters available in food preparation areas must be of the high visibility (blue) type. 3. Eye wash bottles Mains tap water is recommended when eye irrigation is necessary. Special eye wash bottles are only needed where this is not readily available. These should provide at least a litre of sterile water or sterile normal saline (0.9%) in sealed disposable containers. Once the seal has been broken, the containers should not be kept for reuse. The container should not be used after the expiry date. 4. Spillage Kits Kits for clearing up and disinfecting spillages of blood or other body fluids are available from Health & Safety Services. 14