First Aid at work

People at work can suffer injuries or become ill. It doesn t matter whether the injury or illness is caused by the work they do or not, what is important is that they receive immediate attention and that an ambulance is called in serious cases. 

The Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981 requires the employer to provide adequate and appropriate equipment, facilities and persoimel to enable first aid to be given to employees if they are injured 

A first-aider is someone who has undertaken training and has a qualification that HSE approves. This means that they must hold a valid certificate of competence in either 

EFAW requires a 1-day training course and enables a first-aider to give emergency first aid to someone who is injured or becomes ill at work. 

FAW requires a 3-day training course which includes EFAW and also equips the first-aider to apply first aid to a range of specific injuries and illnesses. 

An assessment of the risk to employees health and safety is required under MHSW and this should include an assessment of first aid requirements. If the risk is small, an easily identified fully equipped first aid materials container and an appointed person, trained to deal with emergencies, may be all that is required. Short courses lasting about 4 hours are available for training such people to cope with emergencies and the trainers do not require HSE approval. 

In areas of greater risk, the employer needs to provide better services. In such areas a first aider should be available to give first aid immediately after an accident has occurred. Where the process includes the possibilities of gassing or poisoning, the first aider may need special training to deal with these specific risks. Adequate first aid rooms and equipment may be required, especially in areas of high risk such as the chemical industry and on construction sites. 

Details of all first aid treatments should be recorded. The record may be made in the statutory accident book (B1150) or in a record system developed by the employer. The local emeigency services should be notified of all sites where hazardous substances are used. 

These should be available in sufficient niunber to be able to give first aid rapidly when the occasion demands. Where more than 50 people are employed a first aider should be provided luiless the assessment can justify other facilities. For example, a sinall oigaiusafion with only minor hazards may require only an appointed person. Qn the other hand, serious hazards may warrant a first aider in each hazardous area. A detailed guide to the assessment of first aid needs is given in an Approved Code of Practice which includes a table indicating the recommended niunber of first aiders. 

First aiders must hold a currently valid certificate of competence in first aid at work. The HSE approves first aid trainers and provides information on the availability of local coiuses. Certificates obtained after basic training last for 3 years but refresher coiuses should be attended on a regular 

What is adequate and appropriate will depend on the circumstances in a particular site. 

It is also important to remember that accidents can happen at any time. First-aid provision needs to be available at all times people are at work. 

Some smaii sites wiii oniy need to make the minimum first-aid provision. However, construction work is normaiiy considered to be high risk and greater provision is usuaiiy necessary. The foiiowing checklist covers the points that shouid be considered. 

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Working with sewage - The health hazards - A guide for employers Working with sewage - The health hazards - A guide for employers Eirst aid at work - your questions answered Basic advice on first aid at work... 

First aid at work. Approved Code of Practice and guidance A guide to the Gas Safety (ManagementJ Regulations 1996 A guide to the Pipelines Safety Regulations 1996... 

As a minimum you must have a frst aid box and an appointed person to take charge of first aid requirements. You can faid more information in HSE s free leaflets First aid at work - your questions answered INDG214 1997 and Basic advice on Frst aid at work INDG347 2002. 

First Aid at Work (1981). Health and Safety Series Booklet (HS(R)ll. HMSO. 

Now having defined first aid, who might become a first aider A first aider is someone who has undergone a training course to administer first aid at work and hoids a current first aid certificate. The training course and certification must be approved by the HSE. The aims of a first aider are to preserve iife, to iimit the worsening of the injury or iiiness and to promote recovery. 

A first aider is someone who has undergone a training course to administer first aid at work and holds a ourrent first aid certificate. 

The first-aid facilities to be provided are outhned in the Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981, with greater detail being given in an Approved Code of Practice and Guidance First aid at work , HSE publication L 74. The recommendations include ... 

Certificates for the purpose of first aid at work last for three years. Before their certificates expire, first-aiders will need to undertake a re-qualification course as appropriate to obtain another three-year certificate. Once a certificate has expired, the first-aider is no longer considered to be competent to act as a workplace first-aider. 

The letter also notes Other standards that apply to certain specific hazards or industries make employee first aid training mandatory, and reliance on outside emergency responders is not an allowable alternative. For example, see 1910.266(i)(7) (mandatory first aid training for logging employees), and 1910.269(b) (requiring persons trained in first aid at work locations in the electric power industry). 

A first aider is someone who has undergone an HSE approved training course in administering first aid at work and holds a current first aid at work certificate. Lists of local training organizations are available from the local environmental officer or HSE Offices. The training should be repeated every three years to maintain a valid certificate and keep the first aider up to date. 

Health and Safety Executive, Basic advice on first aid at work. Publication No. 1ND(G)215L, HSE Books, Sudbury (1997) (Single copies free)... 

A leaflet giving general guidance on first aid, e.g. HSE leaflet Basic Advice on First Aid at Work (see Where can I get further information )... 

The role of a first aider is to be trained in administering first aid at work they should hold a current first aid at work certificate. The training provider has to be approved by the HSE. A first aider can undertake the duties of an appointed person. 

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