Northumberland, North Tyneside, Newcastle North and East, Newcastle West, Gateshead, South Tyneside, Sunderland, North Durham, Durham Dales, Easington and Sedgefield, Darlington, Hartlepool and Stockton on Tees and South Tees Clinical Commissioning Groups Standard Operating Procedure CCG SOP07 First Aid Version 1 Implementation Date 01/04/2013 Review Date 30/04/2014 Approved By CCGs Approval Date 01/04/2013 Revisions Date Section Reason for Change Approved by Procedure Obsolete Date Reason Approved by CCG SOP07 First Aid
First Aid 1 Purpose The Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981 require employers to ensure that there is adequate first aid provision for employees who are injured or become ill at work. This procedure describes the processes in place to ensure these duties are met. This includes ensuring that a suitable person is appointed to take responsibility for first aid provision and that adequate supplies of first aid equipment and appropriate signage are available in the workplace. 2 Who Will Be Affected By This Procedure? This procedure applies to all staff working within the CCGs. Although there is no legal obligation under the regulations for employers to take account of persons who are not their employees, such as visitors and contractors; it is recognised as good practice to make some provision for them. The CCG will indemnify peripatetic workers who choose to administer first aid to a member of the public during their working hours and within the limits of their competence. 3 Responsibility The CCG Accountable Officer is responsible for the dissemination and implementation of this procedure. 4 Content/Abbreviation Definitions For the purposes of this procedure, Northumberland, North Tyneside, Newcastle North and East, Newcastle West, Gateshead, South Tyneside, Sunderland, North Durham, Durham Dales, Easington and Sedgefield, Darlington, Hartlepool and Stockton on Tees and South Tees Clinical Commissioning Groups will be referred to as the CCGs. First Aid Preserving life and minimising the consequences of injury and illness until help from a medical practitioner or nurse is obtained; The treatment of minor injuries which would otherwise receive no treatment or which do not need treatment by a medical practitioner or nurse. First Aider CCG SOP07 First Aid 2
Someone who is trained and holds a valid certificate of competence in First Aid. Appointed Person An appointed person is someone appointed to take charge when someone is injured or falls ill, including calling an ambulance if required; An appointed person maintains the first-aid equipment e.g. restocking the first-aid box. An appointed person should not administer first aid for which they have not been trained. The HSE recommend that appointed persons have some basic first aid training which includes what to do in an emergency; cardio-pulmonary resuscitation, first aid for the unconscious casualty and first aid for the wounded or bleeding. 5 Procedure for First Aid 5.1 CCG Responsibilities The CCG will ensure that there is adequate first aid provision within their area/s of responsibility (see Appendix 1). This includes giving First Aiders and Appointed Persons the necessary time off to attend training. The selection of first aiders depends on a number of factors, including an individual's: Reliability, disposition and communication skills. Aptitude and ability to absorb new knowledge and learn new skills Ability to cope with stressful and physically demanding emergency procedures Normal duties; these should be such that they may be left to go immediately and rapidly to an emergency. The CCG will ensure a risk assessment of the first aid needs within their area/s of responsibility is carried out, including lone workers. The guidance in Appendix 1 will give an indication of the level of first aid cover required. The CCG will ensure all staff are informed of the arrangements that have been made in connection with the provision of first-aid, including the location of equipment and first aiders/appointed persons. The CCG will ensure that induction of new members of staff includes the names and whereabouts of first aiders, appointed persons and first aid boxes. The CCG will ensure that appropriate and adequate signs, indicating the names of first aiders and location of first aid boxes are in place within their area/s of responsibility (see Appendix 3). Employees should report any incident which involves the provision of first aid via the relevant system. Where the injured employee is unable to do this due CCG SOP07 First Aid 3
to the extent of their injuries, the first aider or person in charge should complete this information. Employees must not remove equipment from first aid boxes without the prior knowledge of the first aider/appointed person. 5.2 First Aiders Responsibilities First Aiders will ensure their First Aid at Work Certificate is kept current by undertaking HSE approved training and refresher courses prior to the expiry of the certificate. Assess the situation where first aid may be required and without putting themselves in danger make the area safe. Call for assistance without delay. Administer first aid as required and within their capabilities. Ensure that relevant information is included on ant Incident Report System following any incident where they have administered first aid. Ensure that any items used are replaced in the first aid boxes as soon as possible after use. Regularly check first aid boxes to ensure that they are kept stocked and the contents are within expiry date. 5.3 Appointed Persons Responsibilities Appointed persons will ensure that their appointed person s training is up to date. They will take charge when someone is injured or falls ill and call for appropriate medical assistance if required. They can administer first aid only when the appropriate training has been undertaken to do so. Where there is no First Aider at the location, they will regularly check first aid boxes to ensure that they are kept stocked (see Appendix 3) 5.4. TRAINING AND COMPETENCE A first aider must hold a valid Certificate of Competence in First Aid at Work issued by an organisation approved by the HSE e.g. the British Red Cross or St John s Ambulance. Prior to the expiry date on the certificate a refresher course is required for renewal of the certificates validity. Appointed Persons are not first aiders so should not attempt to give first aid for which they have not been trained. It is good practice for appointed CCG SOP07 First Aid 4
persons to be trained in basic life support. Basic life support training should cover the following topics: What to do in an emergency Cardio-pulmonary resuscitation First aid for the unconscious casualty First aid for the wounded or bleeding Details of first aid and appointed persons courses can be obtained and booked through the Senior Governance Officer (H&S) within North of England Commissioning Service (NECS) Records of training will be kept centrally by the Senior Governance Officer (H&S) and locally by the CCG All First Aid incidents must be reported via the relevant system and The Senior Governance Officer informed. 6. FURTHER INFORMATION Further information and advice with regard to First Aid Regulations and Risk assessment is available from the Senior Governance Officer (H&S) at NECS. 7. Documentation Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981 ING 214 First Aid at Work. 8. Consultation Policy and Corporate Governance Lead (NHSCDD) Senior Manager, Corporate Affairs (NoTW) Information Governance Advisor (Tees) Governance Lead (SoTW) This SOP has been developed with reference to the First Aid Policy in NHS Tees. CCG SOP07 First Aid 5
Appendix A FIRST AID CHECKLIST REQUIREMENTS Aspects to consider Impact on first-aid provision 1 You are required by law to make an assessment of significant risks in your workplace. If the risks are significant you may need to employ first aiders (see Q6and Q7). What are the risks of injury and ill health identified in this risk assessment? 2 Are there any specific risks, e.g. working with: hazardous substances: dangerous tools; dangerous machinery; dangerous loads or animals. You will need to consider: specific training for first aiders; extra first-aid equipment; precise siting of first-aid equipment. 3 Are there parts of your establishment where different levels of risk can be identified (e.g. in a University with research laboratories)? You will probably need to make different levels of provision in different parts of the establishment. 4 What is your record of accidents and cases of ill health? What type are they and where did they happen? You may need to: locate your provision in certain areas; review the contents of the first-aid box (see Q4). 5 How many people are employed on site? You may need to employ first aiders (see Q6 and Q7). 6 Are there inexperienced workers on site, or employees with disabilities or special health problems? You will need to consider: special equipment; local siting of equipment. 7 Are the premises spread out, e.g. are there several buildings on the site or multi-floor buildings? You will need to consider provision in each building or on several floors. 8 Is there shift work or out-of-hours working? Remember that there needs to be first-aid provision at all times people are at work. 9 Is your workplace remote from emergency medical services? You will need to: inform local medical services of your location; consider special arrangements with the emergency services. CCG SOP07 First Aid 6
Aspects to consider Impact on first-aid provision 10. Do you have employees who travel a lot or work alone? You will need to: consider issuing personal firstaid kits and training staff in their use; consider issuing personal communicators to employees. 11 Do any of your employees work at sites occupied by other employers? You will need to make arrangements with the other site occupiers. 12 Do you have any work experience trainees? Your first-aid provision must cover them. 13 Do members of the public visit your premises? You have no legal responsibilities for nonemployees, but HSE strongly recommends you include them in your first-aid provision. CCG SOP07 First Aid 7
Appendix B FIRST AID REQUIREMENTS In order to determine the level of First Aid cover required in an area, a risk assessment must be carried out. The assessment should be based on the risk and the number of workers. The majority of CCG office premises will be lower risk but some premises where the public have access e.g. health centres will be medium risk. In some instances where there is dangerous machinery in use e.g. Foot Health, the area would be deemed as High Risk. The table below outlines the HSE s guidance on numbers of first-aiders and appointed persons. SUGGESTED NUMBERS OF FIRST AID PERSONNEL Category of Risk Numbers employed at any location Suggested number of first aid personnel Lower Risk Fewer than 50 At least one appointed person. E.g. Shops, Offices & libraries. General areas where the public have access such as health centres. 50-100 More than 100 At least one first aider One additional first aider for every 100 Medium Risk Fewer than 20 At least one appointed person. E.g. light engineering work, food processing, warehousing. 20-100 More than 100 At least one first aider for every 50 employed (or part thereof). One additional first aider for every 100 employed High Risk Fewer than 5 At least one appointed person. e.g. most construction, slaughterhouses, chemical manufacture, extensive work with dangerous machinery or sharp instruments 5-50 More than 50 At least one first aider One additional first aider for every 50 employed CCG SOP07 First Aid 8
Where one or more departments are located in close proximity e.g. on the same floor it is not necessary for each department to have their own first aider of appointed person. When assessing the first aid requirements, there should be adequate first aider/appointed person cover to take into consideration annual leave or extended spells of absence. CCG SOP07 First Aid 9
Appendix C FIRST AID BOX All first aid boxes must have a white cross on a green background. First Aid boxes located at sites should contain the following: A leaflet giving general guidance on first aid e.g. HSE leaflet Basic advice on first aid at work. 20 individually wrapped sterile adhesive dressings i.e. plasters (assorted sizes) Two sterile eye pads Four individually wrapped triangular bandages (preferably sterile) Six safety pins Six medium sized (approximately 12cm x 12cm) sterile unmediated wound dressings Two large (approximately 18cm x 18cm) sterile individually wrapped unmediated wound dressings One pair of disposable gloves ALL EXPIRY DATES ARE TO BE CHECKED REGULARLY MEDICINES OR TABLETS SHOULD NOT BE KEPT IN THE FIRST AID BOX Boxes located in areas where food preparation is carried out should contain blue adhesive dressings should be placed inside boxes i.e. catering department. TRAVELLER/LONE WORKER KIT A leaflet giving general guidance on first aid 6 individually wrapped sterile adhesive dressings (plasters) 1 large sterile unmediated dressing (approx. 18cm x18cm) CCG SOP07 First Aid
2 triangular bandages 2 safety pins Individually wrapped moist cleansing wipes 1 pair of disposable gloves FIRST AID SIGNS First Aid signs detailing the name of the first aider and/or the appointed person, their location and the location of the first aid box should be displayed in a prominent position in each office area, health centre, ward or department. PURCHASE First Aid kits, travel kits, replacement contents and signs can be ordered through the Senior Governance Officer (NECS)