First Aid at Work Policy

Policy No: RM14 Version: 6.0 Name of Policy: First Aid at Work Policy Effective From: 02/03/2018 Date Ratified 18/01/2018 Ratified Health and Safety Committee Review Date 01/01/2020 Sponsor Director of Clinical Support and Screening Services Expiry Date 17/01/2021 Withdrawn Date Unless this copy has been taken directly from the Trust intranet site (Pandora) there is no assurance that this is the most up to date version This policy supersedes all previous issues First Aid at Work Policy v6

Version Control Version Release Author/Reviewer Ratified by/authorised by 1.0 Date Changes (Please identify page no.) 2.0 Sept 2008 J Hill H&SC PQRS June 2008 Sept 2008 3.0 C. Traill / S. Winn H&SC Nov 2011 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11 & 12 Rewritten in new trust OP27 policy format 4.0 C. Traill H&SC Nov 2013 2, 4, 5, 6, 8, 12 5.0 10/12/2015 C. Traill H&SC 12/11/2015 Removal of references to Nursery First Aiders & their training requirements 6.0 02/03/2018 C. Traill H&SC 18/01/2018 Change to roles and responsibilities First Aid at Work Policy v6 2

Contents Section Page 1 Introduction... 4 2 Policy scope... 4 3 Aim of policy... 4 4 Duties (Roles and responsibilities)... 5 5 Definitions... 7 6 First Aid Process... 8 7 Training... 10 8 Equality and diversity... 10 9 Monitoring compliance with the policy... 11 10 Consultation and review... 11 11 Implementation of policy (including raising awareness)... 11 12 References... 12 13 Associated documentation (policies)... 12 Appendices Appendix 1 First Aider Requirements... 13 Appendix 2 Contents of First Aid Boxes... 14-15 First Aid at Work Policy v6 3

First Aid at Work Policy 1 Introduction The Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981 (SI 1981 No 917) issued by the Health and Safety Commission (HSC) came into operation on 1 July 1982 and place a general duty on employers to make adequate first aid provision for their employees if they are injured or become ill at work. The Trust s Health and Safety Advisor together with senior nursing staff and Departmental Managers have assessed the Trust s first aid needs. Taking into consideration that there is an Accident and Emergency Department and a walk-in-centre on the QEH site they have determined that the Trust s first aid provision can be adequately provided by emergency first aiders as set out in the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) research document and supplemented by authorised officers (qualified nurses and doctors, see definitions below). The purpose of this document is to provide a framework which enables the Trust to comply with the First Aid Regulations and Approved Code of Practice. 2 Policy scope 3 Aim The Trust is not obliged under the Regulations to take account of people who are not their employees but, given that the premises are regularly attended by visitors, provision has been made for them. This policy is intended to give managers and employees support and advice relating to the provision of first aid. Within the Trust immediate first aid cover is available in clinical areas, however there are a number of non-clinical areas which will require cover. Managers of these areas must nominate suitable employees to provide cover. e.g. Pharmacy Departments Physiotherapy Pathology Departments Radiology Departments QE Facilities Workforce Development Finance and Information Departments The Trust is committed to providing employees with a first aid service in the workplace and to achieving compliance with the legislation. This will be delivered by adequate numbers of suitably trained staff and the availability of suitable equipment and supplies. First Aid at Work Policy v6 4

4 Duties - roles and responsibilities 4.1 Chief Executive The Chief Executive is responsible to the Trust Board for the effective implementation of the First Aid at Work Policy. 4.2 Director of Clinical Support and Screening Services The Director of Clinical Support and Screening Services is responsible to the Chief Executive for the overall co-ordination and implementation of the policy within Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust. 4.3 Divisional Directors Divisional Directors have a responsibility to ensure this policy is implemented within their Division. 4.4 Service Line Managers It will be the responsibility of Service Line Managers to:- Assess the requirement for the provision of first aid, and monitor their first aid service in line with this policy with the assistance and co-operation of the Health and Safety Advisor (First Aid at Work Co-ordinator). Ensure that suitably stocked first aid kits are available throughout their area in appropriate locations unless there are suitable first aid materials already readily available within the ward or department. Ensure provision is sustained if a member of staff with first aid responsibilities changes post either temporarily or permanently and inform the Health and Safety Advisor (First Aid at Work Co-ordinator) accordingly of such changes. Arrange for the name of the person(s) responsible for first aid and the first aid box to be displayed, along with their location and telephone number, unless alternative arrangements are in place. Ensure that their first aid staff have the required competencies and certification to provide first aid, except in the instance where they have an Appointed Person(s) in which case they need to ensure that that individual(s) are aware of their duties and responsibilities. 4.5 First Aid Personnel First Aid Personnel should:- Provide first aid treatment to minor injuries/illnesses. Not put themselves at undue risk and be aware of the potential dangers to health whilst attending to a casualty. First Aid at Work Policy v6 5

Ensure where necessary the casualty is referred for further treatment to the A&E department, the individual s own GP or dental practitioner as appropriate for the circumstances of the injury. Ensure that the first aid box/kit for which they have responsibility, is kept clean, tidy and appropriately stocked and is available at all times for use or inspection by the Health and Safety Advisor (First Aid Co-ordinator). When First Aiders are supporting people they should ensure, so far as reasonably practicable, that the way they treat people reflects their individual needs and does not discriminate against them in any way, for example new and expectant mothers. All First Aiders must attend training in accordance with HSE requirements, unless they are Appointed Persons in which case they are not required to be first aid trained. 4.6 Employee responsibilities Each employee has a duty to:- Make themselves aware of the first aid arrangements in the place(s) where they work. Contact the nearest First Aider or Authorised Officer immediately in the event of injury, accident or sudden ill health whilst at work. Be aware of the process for contacting the Emergency Services or summoning immediate medical aid in the event of a cardiac arrest or a serious injury. 4.7 The Health and Safety Adviser (First Aid at Work Co-ordinator) The Health and Safety Adviser acts as the First Aid at Work Co-ordinator. Duties include the following: Co-ordinate the Trust s first aid arrangements Assist managers in assessing the provision of first aid, and monitoring the first aid service in their area of responsibility. Advise managers, First Aiders and employees on the first aid service. Advise managers on suitable first aider at work courses, if required. Liaise with Workforce Development in the provision of the Trust s Emergency First Aid at Work Course. Ensure a register of the Trust's first aid service is maintained including number and type of first aid personnel trained and their department. First Aid at Work Policy v6 6

Communicate with managers about first aider requirements, keep records of new First Aiders and forward details of any new emergency First Aiders to Workforce Development. 4.8 Workforce Development The Workforce Development Department will:- 5 Definitions Facilitate the Trust s Emergency First Aid training including arranging the courses, booking accommodation/refreshments etc. Provide course support for Emergency First Aider training. Arrange with Managers and First Aiders, the First Aiders attendance on a course at an appropriate date. Publicise Emergency First Aider training as appropriate. Provide names of attendees to the First Aid at Work Co-ordinator. The definitions listed below are used in the Policy and are mainly those referred to in the Regulations. First Aiders A combined term for First Aiders at Work and Emergency First Aiders. Emergency First Aider A person who has a current Emergency First Aid at Work certificate in accordance with Health and Safety Executive Guidance. First Aider at Work A person who has been trained and holds a current First Aid at Work certificate in accordance with Health and Safety Executive Guidance. Authorised Officer A qualified Nurse/Doctor classified as being suitably skilled in first aid during the course of their training. See Section 6.3 NB Some additional training of First Aiders may be necessary to meet specific needs e.g. First aid measures set out in hazardous substances safety data sheets or for some biological agents. First Aid Personnel Combined term for Emergency First Aiders, First Aiders at work, and Authorised Officers. Casualty A member of staff or visitor needing emergency care in the initial minutes after an accident, injury or period of ill health. First Aid Treatment given for the purpose of preserving life and minimising the consequences of injury/illness until medical/nursing assistance arrives. This includes the treatment of minor injury/ illness which would otherwise receive no treatment or which do not need treatment by a Doctor or Nurse. First Aid at Work Policy v6 7

First Aid Service That provided by First Aid personnel using the materials and equipment needed for each casualty or situation. 6 First Aid Process 6.1 First Aid Arrangements The numbers of Emergency First Aiders and fully qualified First Aiders required will be assessed through a process of risk assessment and monitoring of the first aid provision. This will take into consideration the requirements of the regulations and HSE guidance. In assessing the provision of first aid consideration must be given to the individual needs of the people who might access the service and ensure, so far as reasonably practicable that it does not discriminate against any individual. It should also consider the effects that changes in work practice, purchasing new equipment or hazardous substances etc. has on the first aid provision in line with other Trust Policies. In wards or departments with practising registered medical practitioners, or practising nurses these staff are qualified under the regulations to administer first aid so it is not necessary to identify others as first aiders as these staff are Authorised Officers providing the first aid service for their workplace. However, such staff must be offered suitable training if an individual identifies a need for an update of emergency response skills. 6.2 First Aiders at work First Aiders are qualified personnel who have received training and passed an assessment in accordance with the Health and Safety Executive s requirements. Where Managers have identified that First Aiders are needed in their workplace, the First Aiders must have a valid certificate of competence in Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW) or First Aid at Work (FAW). There is currently no identified requirement for First Aiders to be certified to the level of First Aid at Work in the Trust. See requirements for training and refresher courses; Section 7 6.3 Authorised Officers Providing they have current knowledge and skills in first aid, the training and experience of the following qualify them to administer first aid in the workplace and act as Authorised Officers: (a) doctors registered with the General Medical Council; (b) nurses registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council; (c) paramedics registered with the Health Professions Council. First Aid at Work Policy v6 8

6.4 Appointed Persons Appointed Persons need not be qualified in first aid but will be available to summon emergency assistance if it is required. They will be able to dispense a basic dressing from the first aid box but should not apply it. Appointed Persons are not First Aiders and should not attempt to give first aid for which they have not been trained. 6.5 Emergencies The Cardiac Arrest Team should be contacted by dialling the national Hospital Arrest Team Number 2222 on the internal telephone system clearly stating Cardiac Arrest, the exact location of the patient/ person and whether the individual is an adult, child or obstetric. First Aiders must be aware of the local arrangements for contacting the Cardiac Arrest Team within their immediate area of work. For areas such as car parks, Women s Health Clinic, Education Centre, Tranwell and Cragside Units staff must call 9999. For external locations such as Bensham Hospital and Dunston Hill Day Unit call 999 to alert the paramedic ambulance in the event of cardiac arrest. For all other casualties who require transfer to Accident and Emergency for emergency care telephone 9999. 6.6 First Aid Boxes Where necessary First Aid boxes should be provided within the workplace to ensure that there are adequate supplies for the nature of the hazards involved. Only specified First Aid supplies will be kept. No creams, lotions or drugs, however seemingly mild will be kept in these boxes. See Appendix 2 for the recommended contents of a first aid box. There is no mandatory minimum content of first aid boxes, only a guide to the minimum contents provided by the HSE and British Standards. The First Aid Coordinator can provide advice on the contents of individual first aid boxes and it may be sufficient, given the abundance of materials in a clinical setting, for the contents to be no more than a supply of sticking plasters. First aid boxes are to be checked at regular intervals if unused otherwise at more frequent intervals after every episode of use by the First Aider or the appointed person in his/her absence. NB First aid boxes/kits will not be essential where first aid provisions are provided by an alternative means. 6.7 Recording Accidents All accidents must be reported on Datix as specified in the Trust Incident Reporting Procedure. First Aiders should ensure that a Datix report has been completed and that details of the first aid they provided have been recorded. First Aid at Work Policy v6 9

7 Training 7.1 Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW) Training EFAW training enables a first-aider to give emergency first aid to someone who is injured or becomes ill while at work. EFAW lasts for at least six hours of contact time training and is run over a minimum of one day. 7.2 First Aid at Work (FAW) Training FAW training is designed to enable people designated as a First Aider to carry out appropriate first aid in an emergency situation at work to be able to manage a casualty who is injured at work, or suffers from a serious illness, while waiting for more qualified medical help to arrive. FAW training includes EFAW and also equips the first-aider to apply first aid to a range of specific injuries and illnesses. FAW lasts for at least eighteen hours of contact time training and is run over a minimum of three days. 7.3 Refresher Training The HSE strongly recommends that First Aiders undertake annual refresher training, over half a day, during any three-year FAW and EFAW certification period. Although not mandatory, this helps qualified First Aiders maintain their basic skills and keep up to date with any changes to first-aid procedures. 7.4 Authorised Officer Training Authorised Officers do not require training provided they have current knowledge and skills in first aid, and have suitable medical training and experience. However they may attend an Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW) course or First Aid Refresher course if they wish. 8 Equality and Diversity The Trust is committed to ensuring that, as far as is reasonably practicable, the way that services are provided to the public and the way staff are treated, reflects their individual needs and does not discriminate against individuals or groups on any grounds. This policy aims to ensure that no employee receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of a protected characteristic in accordance with the Equality Act 2010.This policy has been appropriately assessed. This policy when implemented should reflect anti-discriminatory practice. Any services, interventions or actions must take into account any needs arising from race, gender, age, religion and belief, language, communication, sensory impairment, disability and sexuality. First Aid at Work Policy v6 10

9 Monitoring compliance with the policy The overall policy will be monitored by using the register of First Aiders and first aid will be an element of Health and Safety audits. An annual report will be produced and reported to the Health and Safety Committee. Standard / process / issue Regular review of the first aid arrangements and training records Training and Number of First Aiders Monitoring and audit Method By Committee Frequency Regular review H&S Health and Annually of incidents Adviser Safety including a Committee review of first aid required and provided Regular review of first aid arrangements and training records H&S Adviser Health and Safety Committee Annually Regular monitoring and audit of health and safety is essential to ensure that the arrangements in place for managing health and safety are effective and compliant with relevant statutory provisions. Monitoring will be achieved by the Health and Safety Advisor reviewing the first aid arrangements and comparing them with the number of trained First Aiders via regular checks and an annual audit process. The policy will be audited by the Health and Safety Advisor. The findings will be analysed and included in a report, together with recommendations and supporting action plan where appropriate to the relevant committees. 10 Consultation and review The policy has been reviewed in consultation with members of the Health and Safety Committee and interested parties. It has been reviewed and approved by the Health and Safety Committee and will be regularly reviewed according to OP27 Policy or more frequently depending on updates in health and safety legislation or requirements. This policy will be reviewed as necessary in light of changes to First Aid legislation, guidance or significant changes in work practices. 11 Implementation of policy (including raising awareness) This policy reflects the Trust s stance on the Management of Risk and the provision of good health and safety standards. Managers must have named individuals responsible for providing first aid within each Directorate or Service Area, where relevant. These named First Aid at Work Policy v6 11

individuals are responsible for ensuring the policy is implemented fully in each locality of the Trust. The Trust s risk assessment process will provide the evidence for each manager to identify any needs relating to compliance. The Health and Safety Advisor will provide assistance and guidance for managers and staff on assessing first aid requirements they feel requires specialist knowledge. This policy will be circulated by the Trust Secretary as detailed within OP27. 12 References The Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981 Approved Code of Practice L74 Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999. Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995 13 Associated Documentation (Policies) The Health and Safety Policy RM02 Resuscitaton Policy RM27a First Aid at Work Policy v6 12

FIRST AIDER REQUIREMENTS APPENDIX 1 The following sets out the standard of First Aid provision required in the workplace QUEEN ELIZABETH HOSPITAL Clinical Areas Authorised Officers The aim is that first aid will be provided by Authorised Officers in those areas that employ them. Other clinical areas Other clinical areas provision will be by Emergency First Aiders NB: Small departments may be able to work with adjacent departments to provide the necessary cover. It is already mandatory under the Trust s resuscitation policy that in-patient areas have a member of staff available that is trained in life support. Non-Clinical Departments First aid provision will be provided by Emergency First Aiders Bensham Hospital Bensham is a multi occupancy site of Acute, NHS South of Tyne and Wear and non-nhs staff with a changing and developing usage. The first aid service will be provided by Authorised Officers and Emergency First Aiders where risk assessment deems necessary. Dunston Hill Day Unit The first aid service will be provided by Authorised Officers and Emergency First Aiders where risk assessment deems this to be necessary. Other Premises The first aid service will be provided by Authorised Officers, Emergency First Aiders and/or First Aiders as deemed necessary by risk assessment. First Aid at Work Policy v6 13

APPENDIX 2 CONTENTS OF FIRST AID BOXES Where provided it is the responsibility of the manager of the department to ensure that these boxes are maintained along with the name of the person responsible for such maintenance. There is no mandatory list of items to be included in a First Aid Box. The decision on what to provide will be influenced by the findings of the first-aid needs assessment. Where the work activities are low hazard and they are in the vicinity of a clinical environment it may be sufficient for the contents of the first aid box to be no more than a supply of sticking plasters. Where the work activities are not in the vicinity of a clinical environment, or there is no ready access to first aid supplies by other means, the British Standard (BS 8599-1) for a stock of first-aid items includes: First Aid at Work Policy v6 14

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