FSC Operational Codes of Practice 1 May 2007 No 8: First Aid Kits Page 1 of Types, contents and locations of first aid kits

Transcription

1 No 8: First Aid Kits Page 1 of 8 FSC OPERATIONAL CODES OF PRACTICE No. 8: FIRST AID KITS Mandatory: All FSC Employees Discretionary : 1. Types, contents and locations of first aid kits 1.1. Appropriate first aid kits must be held in appropriate locations by all Units. There are no rigid requirements for number of first aid kits which have to be held or for the contents of first aid kits in terms of type and quantities of the contents. The Health and Safety [First Aid] Regulations 1981 Approved Code Of Practice 1990 requires employers to provide first aid kits whose contents are appropriate to the operations being carried out and the number of persons present in the areas where it is intended that the kit will be used. The first aid kits described in section 10 of this FSC OCoP are therefore the recommendations being made by the FSC as to the types of and contents of the first aid kits which the FSC considers could be appropriate to the operations carried out in its Units. The UM may vary the types and contents of first aid kits if, in their professional judgement, such variation is appropriate to the circumstances of the Unit and provided that such variation complies with legislation and best practice related to certain first aid provision [see section 10] The UM must ensure that the types, contents and locations of all first aid kits held by the Unit are noted in an appropriate documented form All first aid containers must be clearly identified by an approved Safe Condition sign. The standard first aid sign is, therefore, a white cross on a green background. This means that the old style first aid symbol of a red cross on a white background is illegal The UM must ensure that, where necessary, appropriate safe condition signs indicating the location of the nearest first aid kit are erected or displayed in Unit premises. 2. Under the HSE Approved Code of Practice L74 [March 1997], all kits must be checked at appropriate times for deterioration of the items that they contain particularly when items are labelled with a use by date. Any items which have deteriorated or are passed their expiry date must be discarded safely. The UM must ensure that there is a system for such checks and disposal, and that responsibility for such checks and disposal is delegated to an identified staff member.

2 No 8: First Aid Kits Page 2 of 8 3. If a FSC employee uses any item from any kit, that staff member must ensure that they replace the item from the Unit s central first aid store and record that replacement in the central first aid store log. [See also Guidance Note in section 9.]. 4. Other persons might use items from the kits without arranging replacement. The UM must ensure that there is a system of regular and frequent checks to ensure that all kits are complete, and that responsibility for such checks and replenishment of kits as necessary is delegated to an identified staff member. 5. First aid containers must not be sealed since this could prevent or delay access to a kit s contents in an emergency. However, a small strip of brown plastic packing tape [not clear Sellotape] may be used as tell tale tag on one side of a first aid kit container [with a hinged lid]. It can be seen on a kit container, can be easily split by a finger nail and yet is difficult to peel back or off without leaving obvious signs of this having been done. As such it provides a visible indication as to whether or not a container has been opened and therefore contents possibly removed. Such tags can make a checking system relatively quick [when compared to counting every single item in a first aid kit] and efficient, thus giving greater possibility that the checking will be done diligently and effectively. 6. The Health and Safety [First Aid] Regulations 1981 Approved Code Of Practice 1990 recommends that employees should be provided with appropriate eye wash facilities particularly where other sources of water are not readily available. If provided, the facility must consist of at least 900 ml of sterile eye wash in a sealed container. The container must not be refillable. Any container with surplus solution must be discarded after use. Such kits are available commercially and usually consist of two 500 ml bottles of sterile eye wash. Replacement bottles are also available. The UM must ensure that either a source of running water or appropriate eyewash facilities are available in each room or area where chemicals are or may be used, or where chemicals are stored. Such areas are seen as : a. All laboratories, classrooms, laboratory stores and preparation areas. b. Kitchen, food preparation and wash-up areas. c. Workshops and workshop stores d. Domestic stores The UM must ensure that there is a system of regular and frequent checks to ensure that all eye wash kits are intact, and that responsibility for such checks and replacement of kits as necessary is delegated to an identified staff member.

3 No 8: First Aid Kits Page 3 of 8 7. Hypo-Allergenic suncream should be carried when the weather is likely to make its use appropriate. Students should be encouraged to apply their own suncream, if covering up is not practicable. If they do not have access to their own suncream, then they may be given suncream from the first aid kit for self application. 8. The issuing or use of other creams, antiseptic creams, eye ointments and similar products by FSC employees is not normally permitted. Where exceptions are made, the following five criteria must all be met: i) an item should only be applied if it is the most effective thing to do to prevent the situation worsening, eg. high risk of insect bites to areas not possible to cover up if insect repellent was not applied; ii) the safety of the item can be determined, eg. it can be bought over the counter and is suitable for use on under 5 s; iii) the agreement of the accompanying staff must be obtained prior to provision of the item; iv) confirmation must be sought that the individual does not suffer from major allergic reactions; and v) the item should not normally be applied by the FSC staff. 9. Under the HSE Approved Code of Practice L74 [March 1997], employers are required to hold sufficient first aid supplies to act as back-up on site. The UM must ensure that such a central first aid store is established and maintained, and that responsibility for such is delegated to an identified staff member. It is recommended that such a store is established in a separate cupboard or chest. If the store has to set up in a cupboard also used for other storage purposes, then the first aid supplies must be totally partitioned off from the rest of the cupboard and the area so created must only be used for the storage of first aid supplies. It is further recommended that the first aid store is sub-divided, so that particular items are easily located in specific compartments and so that supplies do not become damaged [and therefore unusable] through constant disturbance when attempts are made to locate particular items. It is further recommended that a log book is held in the first aid store. This log book should : a. Detail the types and quantities of items held in the store. b. Allow any withdrawals of items to be recorded. Cross referencing the above records will enable the delegated person to ensure that sufficient back-up supplies of all first aid items are always available.

4 No 8: First Aid Kits Page 4 of Recommendations as to the types and contents of first aid kits to be held by Units as appropriate to their operations [see Guidance Note in section 1.1.] In all the kits described below, the scissors must be of a type which is strong enough to cut through clothing and boots. Such use is also aided when the blades and handles are set at an obtuse angle about the pivot point, rather than in a straight line through the pivot point as in normal scissors. Such scissors are commercially available. Rigid hook airways must not be in any first aid kit nor held by or otherwise available at a Unit. The use of such devices requires specialised training and qualifications. Cramer wires, SAM splints and Resusciaids [simple mouth piece]. A UM may decide that it is appropriate that one or more of the above types of device should be available for use / held at the Unit. In which case, the UM must ensure that any use of such devices is only undertaken by personnel who are competent to do so as a documented outcome of appropriate information, instruction and training. Aspirin For use only in the event of a suspected heart attack. See FSC OCoP No Main Unit kit : A UM may decide that it is appropriate that this drug should be available for use / held at the Unit. In which case, the UM must ensure that any use of the drug is only undertaken by personnel who are competent to do so as a documented outcome of appropriate information, instruction and training. 8 Triangular bandages 1 Extra large, plain, sterile, unmedicated wound dressing 4 Large, plain, sterile, unmedicated wound dressings 12 Medium, plain, sterile, unmedicated wound dressings 2 Sterile eye pads 60 Assorted plasters [in packet] 20 Sterile antiseptic wipes 12 Safety pins Such a Main Unit First Aid Kit is frequently and sensibly located in the main office / reception area of the Unit. It is recommended that consideration is given to also having a second and similar kit in a suitable portable case or container which can be carried by an FSC employee who is undertaking an evening or night duty and therefore is always available for immediate use by them. In the event of an incident, the known location of the duty staff and / or the incident may be remote from the main office / reception area.

5 No 8: First Aid Kits Page 5 of Laboratory / classroom kit : 4 Triangular bandages 1 Extra large, plain, sterile, unmedicated wound dressing 6 Medium, plain, sterile, unmedicated wound dressings 2 Sterile Eye Pads 20 Assorted plasters [in packet] 6 Sterile antiseptic wipes 6 Safety pins Kitchen kit 4 Triangular bandages 1 Extra large, plain, sterile, unmedicated wound dressing 6 Medium, plain, sterile, unmedicated wound dressings 2 Sterile eye pads 20 Assorted plasters [in packet] 6 Sterile antiseptic wipes 6 Safety pins 2 Finger stalls 1 Tubigauz and applicator The plasters and finger stalls must be of the detectable variety ie. blue in colour Workshop kit 2 Extra large, plain, sterile, unmedicated wound dressings 2 Sterile eye pads 10 Assorted plasters [in packet] 2 Sachets of sterilised water/saline 5 Sterile antiseptic wipes

6 No 8: First Aid Kits Page 6 of Group fieldwork kit : 4 Triangular bandages 1 Extra large, plain, sterile, unmedicated wound dressing 3 Medium, plain, sterile, unmedicated wound dressings 2 Small, plain, sterile, unmedicated wound dressings 12 Assorted plasters [in packet] 10 Antiseptic wipes 4 Conforming [crepe] bandages at least 7.5 cm wide 1 Melolin dressing 1 Reel micropore adhesive tape (Non-stretch) 6 Assorted safety pins Glucose tablets [for diabetics] Cling film for major burns/abdominal injuries GAPS [Groups Away from Permanent Supervision] kit : 2 Triangular bandage 1 Large, plain, sterile, unmedicated wound dressing 1 Medium, plain, sterile unmedicated wound dressing 10 Assorted plasters [in packet] 2 Sachets of sterilised water/saline 5 Sterile antiseptic wipes 1 Incident Procedure Instructions Card ** 1 Incident Message Card ** ** If such Instructions and Message Cards are not built into the Working Information Card given to each GAPS group, it is suggested that the container, used for a GAPS first aid kit, may be a convenient place to store such Instructions and Message Cards. [See also FSC OCoP No. 2 : Fieldwork Site Information.] There are a number of circumstances in which it may be necessary for the members of a GAPS group to make contact either with the Unit or with a supervising member of staff by telephone. It is therefore often suggested that a small amount of money is held in a GAPS first aid kit for this purpose. However, at the working sites in the area of some Units there are relatively few cash payphones and the carrying of a telephone paycard would more appropriate. It has also been known for students to run out of money long before they have usefully completed their telephone call to the Unit. So another option is for GAPS group to be given specific instruction on how to make a transferred / reversed charge call to the Unit or supervising member of staff. It is considered appropriate that the details of any contact procedure should be left to the professional judgement of Unit staff in the light of their knowledge of local circumstances.

7 No 8: First Aid Kits Page 7 of Single employee kit [to be carried only by FSC employee working outdoors on their own] 3 Triangular bandage 2 Extra large, plain, sterile, unmedicated wound dressings 1 Medium, plain, sterile unmedicated wound dressing 10 Assorted plasters [in packet] 5 Sachets of sterilised water/saline 5 Sterile antiseptic wipes Minibus kit [Kit must be packed in a suitable labelled container and the location in the vehicle must be indicated clearly] The contents described below represent the minimum required under Regulation 43 and Schedule 7 of the Road Vehicles [Construction and Use] Regulations Triangular bandages 3 Large, plain, sterile, unmedicated wound dressings 2 Sterile eye pads 1 Conforming [crepe] bandage at least 7.5 cm wide 20 Assorted plasters [in packet] 10 Sterile antiseptic wipes 12 Safety pins Motorists kit [to be carried in FSC vehicles other than minibuses] 1 Triangular bandage 1 Large, plain, sterile, unmedicated wound dressing 1 Medium, plain, sterile unmedicated wound dressing 20 Assorted plasters [in packet] 6 Sterile antiseptic wipes 6 Safety pins European countries often require that a first aid kit is carried in a vehicle. The required contents of such kits may be very precise with regard to exact type and quantities, and are almost entirely different to those given above. FSC employees travelling in Europe, using either an FSC vehicle or their own vehicle for business purposes, must request FSC Head Office to check as to current requirements.

8 No 8: First Aid Kits Page 8 of Overseas Kit The contents of these kits will depend upon the purpose of the travel abroad, the number of people in the group and the area[s] to be visited. The requirements for groups travelling on courses organised by FSCO are determined by the UM of that Unit. Staff from other Units travelling abroad for work purposes are recommended to consult with their own GP and with the UM of FSCO. If travelling outside mainland Europe, staff are strongly recommended to seek advice as to the risk of cross-contamination of blood-borne diseases and the need to carry suitable sterile medical equipment in addition to the more typical contents of a first aid kit. Similar considerations apply to the possible requirement to have water purifying and sterilising equipment available Boat Kits At the time of writing : a. The Rigid Inflatable Boat [RIB] used at Dale Fort Field Centre is required, with regard to first aid equipment, to fulfil the regulations laid down in the Local Council Pleasure Boat Licence issued for this vessel. b. Other Units using or intending to use boats of any description in estuarine or coastal waters must : i. Confirm the requirements for such boats and their intended use to comply with any regulations such as those described in section a. above. The UM must ensure that whether or not there is any requirement for such compliance is documented. ii. If the boats or their usage is not so covered, a first aid kit must be carried on such boats. The contents of the first aid kit must be determined by the professional judgement of the UM in the context of the intended usage. The UM must ensure that determined contents are documented. d. Where Units are using or intend to use boats on inland waters, the UM must : i. Confirm the requirements for such boats and their intended use to comply with any regulations [such as Outdoor Adventure Activity Providers : Code of Practice 1994] or any recommendations made by organisations [such as the British Canoe Union] with regard to first aid kits. The UM must ensure that whether or not there is any such requirement or recommendation is documented. ii. In the absence of any such requirement or recommendation, ensure that a first aid kit is available whilst a boat is being used during an activity, and ensure that the numbers and contents of such first aid kits are determined and documented.