NHS WORCESTERSHIRE First Aid Policy To be read in conjunction with the Health and Safety Policy and associated health and safety guidance documents Version: Final Ratified by: Quality & Patient Safety Assurance Date ratified: 20/09/11 Name of originator/author: Tracy Owen Name of responsible committee/individual: Quality & Patient Safety Assurance Date issued: October 2011 Review date: March 2013 Target audience: All staff EIA Completed: September 2010 1
Contents Paragraph Page 1 Introduction 3 2 Purpose / Statement 3 3 Definitions 3 4 Roles and Responsibilities 3 5 Assessment of First Aid Provision 4 6 Training 5 7 Content of First Aid Boxes 5 8 Consultation and Communication with Stakeholders 6 9 Development and Approval of Procedural Documents 6 10 Dissemination 6 11 Planning and Implementation 6 12 Monitoring and Review 6 13 Standards / Key Performance Indicators 7 14 References 7 Appendix 1 Guidance on Assessing First Aid Needs 8 2 Manager s Checklist 9 2
1 Introduction The statutory requirements for first aid in the work place, are detailed in the Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981. The Regulations place a duty on an employer to provide adequate facilities, equipment, and personnel to render first aid treatment to employees who are injured or who become ill at work. This policy outlines best practice in complying with the Regulations, assessing the need for first aid in the workplace, training staff and providing first aid equipment. The Policy will be communicated to all staff during their Induction phase and a copy will be available at all other times via the internet. 2 Purpose / Statement Based on the workplace risks, the organisation will follow HSE guidance to determine the recommended number of first aiders required in each workplace. Based on this assessment, first aiders will be nominated and trained. Appropriately equipped first aid boxes will be provided to the first aiders and their names (and locations) will be publicised. 3 Definitions First Aid is defined as treatment: For the purpose of preserving life and minimising the consequences of injury and illness, until help, from a medical practitioner is obtained. Of minor injuries, which would otherwise receive no treatment or which do not need treatment by a medical practitioner or nurse Responsible Person/Manager An employer with control of a workplace Where this is not the above: A person with overall management of a building Occupier of premises Certified First Aider A person who has undergone a training course in administering first aid at work and holds a current first aid at work certificate following attendance at a training course from a Health & Safety Executive (HSE) approved provider. They will be qualified to provide emergency first aid, take charge if someone is injured or falls ill, including calling for medical assistance or an ambulance. They will also be responsible for maintaining the first aid box. First Aid at Work Certificate This is achieved by completing a three day HSE Approved first aider training course. Attendance is recommended for those nominated staff in workplaces where there is not ready access to the A&E Departments, Minor Injuries Units, professionally trained medical personnel or, where the risk of injury is considered to be high. 4 Roles & Responsibilities Senior Managers Conducting a workplace risk assessment to determine the number of first aiders required. (See Appendix 1 and 2)
Liaising with other management colleagues in circumstances where more than one manager has responsibility for a particular work area and, to ensure, that a joint approach is taken in the determination of first aid provision Identifying responsible employees who are willing to undertake first aid training. Maintaining details of first aiders, their training records, and training renewal dates Ensuring the provision of first aid equipment. In work areas where one or more first aider has been appointed, it would only be necessary to provide a sufficient number of boxes to meet local requirements Communicating the location and names of first aiders to all staff within each workplace. This information should be displayed within the work area. Employees All staff should ensure that they are aware of first aid arrangements within their immediate work area and, in particular, should acquaint themselves with the names and location of their nearest first aider Following any incident, the person in charge of the particular work area should ensure the incident is reported, using the Trust s incident reporting procedures. Certified First Aiders To administer first aid to employees, when required to do so, and to refer staff for specialist help, when required To record all treatment provided, including the nature of first aid given, together with the date and time it was given. This information should be included within any incident data recorded on Sentinel To maintain the contents of the first aid box To attend refresher training as required To ensure compliance with the Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations Health & Safety Manager / LSMS To provide advice and information relating to first aid at work, including any changes in Regulations or requirements placed on employers 5 Assessment of First Aid Provision Senior managers will need to take into account the following factors when determining the nature and extent of first aid provision within the various workplaces (see Appendix 1): The nature of the work undertaken, the situation and environment and the hazards and risks they present. The size and location of the workforce The location in relation to the nearest expert medical services (e.g. A&E and Minor Injuries Units) The sharing of first aiders and facilities in multi-occupancy buildings The provision during normal working hours and also any out of hours occupation of premises. Working patterns e.g. fixed base working, shift work, peripatetic working (i.e. staff who have a work base but spend significant amounts of time within the community). Services requiring 24 hours cover etc. The needs of travelling, remote or lone workers, particularly where their job is considered high risk. Such staff may need to be trained to become first aiders and be provided with an individual first aid box. Cover for leave/absence of first aiders 4
The number of non-employees (service users, visitors, contractors, members of the public etc.) The first aid provision already in place, i.e. trained staff and first aid boxes. The location of first aid materials and equipment that are readily available when needed Directors will be responsible for ensuring that their Senior Managers appoint sufficient first aiders to cover periods of annual leave, sickness and other planned absences so that the service is maintained in compliance with the legislation. Staff who work in close proximity to A&E or Minor Injury Units may negotiate with qualified staff working in those units to provide suitable first aid cover. If this cannot be arranged, then first aiders will be required. Even where first aid provision is in place, staff should summon an ambulance if there is a possibility they cannot respond in a timely way to the situation. Qualified medical doctors registered with the General Medical Council and nurses registered as Registered Nurse (General) with the Nursing and Midwifery Council are deemed, by their training, to be qualified to administer first aid. The Regulations do not require employers to provide first aid, for anyone other than their employees. However, it is important to give consideration to other groups when assessing the need for first aid provision. 6 Training It will be the responsibility of Service Managers to arrange appropriate training for their first aiders. This must be via a training organisation approved by the HSE. A list of approved local training organisations can be obtained by contacting the HSE or accessing their website: www.hse.gov.uk. The first aider course will last three days. Qualified first aiders are legally required to attend a two day refresher course every three years. The HSE recommends that first aiders attend this refresher annually in order to help maintain their basic skills, and keep them up to date with best practice procedures. However this recommendation is not currently mandatory. 7 Content of First Aid Boxes First aid boxes and travelling first aid kits should contain a sufficient quantity of suitable first aid materials. The boxes should not contain drugs of any description. The content of the boxes (and kits) should be replenished, as soon as possible after use, in order to maintain an adequate supply of all materials. Sterile items should not be used after the expiry date shown. It is therefore essential that first aid equipment is checked frequently to ensure all items are available to use. Standard first aid boxes, together with contents should be ordered via the Supplies Department. The boxes should be made of a suitable material, designed to protect the contents from damp and dust, and should be clearly identified as first aid containers. The marking used should be a white cross on a green background, in accordance with the Safety Signs Regulations 1980. A standard sized first aid box should contain the following items: 1 guidance card 20 individually wrapped sterile adhesive dressings (assorted sizes) appropriate to the work environment (which may be detectable for the catering industry) 2 sterile eye pads, with attachment 6 individually wrapped triangular bandages 5
6 safety pins 6 medium sized individually wrapped sterile unmedicated wound dressings (approx. 10cm x 8cm) 2 large sterile individually wrapped unmedicated wound dressings (approx. 13cm x 9cm) 3 extra large sterile individually wrapped unmedicated wound dressings (approx. 28cm x 17.5 cm) Where mains tap water is not readily available for eye irrigation, sterile water or sterile normal saline (0.9%) in sealed disposable containers should be provided. Each container should hold at least 300ml and should not be reused once the sterile seal is broken. At least 900ml should be provided. Eye baths/eye cups refillable containers should not be used again for eye irrigation. 8 Consultation and Communication with Stakeholders The Quality and Patient Safety Assurance Committee aims to promote partnership working between management and staff in initiating, developing and carrying out measures, to ensure everyone s health and safety. The Committee provides the organisation with a forum at which management and staff can consult about any health and safety issues. It allows staff representatives to communicate with managers, in order to raise health and safety issues that may be of concern and that cannot be resolved at local level. Accredited Trade Union Safety Representatives and nominated representatives of employee safety are entitled to attend, together with advisors from specific safety areas i.e. manual handling, fire, infection control. This committee is directly accountable to the Board. 9 Development and Approval of Procedural Documents This policy is drafted and developed by the Health and Safety Manager in accordance with legislation and HSE best practice. Key stakeholders and specialist staff are involved in the consultation process e.g.: infection control, Chartered H&S professionals. The policy receives final approval from the Quality and Patient Safety Assurance Committee, and is ratified by the Board. 10 Dissemination Policy documents are available via the organisation s website. The principles embedded within the policy will be included in Induction Training for staff and in the Minimising Risk mandatory training updates. 11 Planning and Implementation The Board will be responsible for setting the strategic aims for health and safety matters within the organisation. The Chief Executive will ensure, through the Trust s Directors that those aims are reflected within their business objectives. Directors and Senior Managers will ensure that health and safety arrangements form an integral part of their business planning process, in order to ensure that needs are identified, prioritised, and that appropriate resources are allocated. 12 Monitoring and Review Injuries, ill health and other "loss events" will be reported on a six monthly basis to the Quality and Patient Safety Assurance Committee. The investigation of such accidents/losses will be used to identify causation, reduce future incidence and assess the effectiveness of the first aid 6
arrangements. Policies will be subject to review in line with health and safety legislation or if there are changes to best practice. The review of policies will also be based on the prioritisation of risk within the Trust and as a consequence of any serious incidents. 13 Standards/Key Performance Indicators The Care Quality Commission requires the Trust to achieve Outcome 10 to demonstrate compliance with all relevant health and safety legislation. 14 References Trust H&S policy documents Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations Safety Signs Regulations Care Quality Commission 7
Appendix 1 GUIDANCE ON ASSESSING FIRST AID NEEDS Aspects to consider when carrying out an assessment: Are there any specific first aid risks, for example working with; - hazardous substances - dangerous tools - dangerous machinery - dangerous loads? If so you may need to consider specific training for first aiders, extra first aid equipment and the precise siting of first aid equipment Are there different levels of risk in different parts of your work area? If so you will probably need to make different levels of provision in different areas. What is your record of accidents? Consider the number and type of first aid injuries you have needed to deal with. How many staff are employed in your work area? In low risk work areas (offices) there should be one first aider for every 100 staff. In medium risk areas (warehouse) it is suggested one first aider for every 50 staff. Are there inexperienced workers on site or staff with disabilities or special health problems? Consider the need for specialist provisions. Are the premises spread out e.g. are there several buildings on the site or multi-floor buildings? You may need to carefully consider where you site your provisions. Is there shift work or out of hours working? Remember first aid cover needs to be available at all times to people are at work. Do you have staff who travel a lot or work alone? You may need to consider issuing staff with personal first aid boxes and training staff in their use. Do any of your staff work at sites occupied by other employers? You will need to co-operate and co-ordinate your arrangements with other site occupiers. Do members of the public visit your premises? You have no legal responsibilities for non-employees however you are strongly advised to include them in your provision. 8
Appendix 2 MANAGER S CHECKLIST 1 Has a risk assessment been carried out by a competent person? 2 Does the workplace have an adequate number of first aiders? 3 Does first aid provision include non-employees? 4 Is there adequate cover for annual leave and other foreseeable absences? 5 Are notices posted in the workplace identifying who first aid personnel are? 6 Are the notices up to date? 7 Are arrangements in place to keep first aid boxes stocked? 8 Do first aid boxes require any non standard items to cover specific types of injury or emergency? 9 Do any staff need to be issued with personal first aid boxes? 10 Does the workplace require a first aid room? 11 If the workplace requires a first aid room, is it equipped with all necessary facilities and equipment? 9