First aider

A qualified first-aider, or nurse, should be ealled immediately to deal with any injury - however slight - ineurred at work. 

The safety of witnesses and first aiders is essential. That is why, during missions of the mobile emergency medical services, the first fnndamental gesture is that which ensures the safety of the team. 

Each laboratory must be equipped with a first-aid box of a size and content appropriate to the number of members of the laboratory and the nature of the work being carried out. The HSE publishes guidelines on the contents of such boxes.6 A wall chart of emergency treatment should be located adjacent to the first-aid box and all members of the laboratory should be familiar with this information. Furthermore, the members of the laboratory should be aware of the name or names of the nominated trained first-aiders and where they may be contacted. A trained first-aider should be summoned in all cases of personal injury. 

If whilst handling the chemicals involved in these processes, contact is made with your skin, eyes, by inhalation or by ingestion, seek medical help initially from a First Aider. Refer to the MSDS... 

First-aid should be carried out by an appropriately trained person who has the necessary knowledge to understand the basis for the primary care. The first-aider (rescuer) should be wearing protective equipment, ideally skin protection (including gloves) and an absorbent filter or, preferably, air-supplied respirator self-contained positive pressure breathing apparatus (Ballantyne and Salem, 2005 Hall and Rumack, 1998). The first-aider should ensure the following ... 

Potential first-aiders are referred to the instructional literature and to the instructions on First aid in the event of poisoning in the chapter Supplementary information, which complement the information given on the sheets. 

First Aid identify first-aiders and specify where first aid boxes are located. 

Is the procedure known to all and posted clearly throughout the school Who are the qualified first-aiders ... 

The SMC is manned by the appointed Doctor, Station Nurse and First Aiders. It provides decontamination, first aid and minor treatment to casualties before they are sent by ambulance to the nominated hospitals which have the facilities to handle and treat contaminated and irradiated casualties. 

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. 

HSE strongly recommends that first-aiders undertake annual refresher training to maintain their basic skills and keep up to date with any changes to first aid procedures. 

First Aid measures. Information should summarise briefly the symptoms and effects and immediate treatment to be followed in the event of accidental exposure. It should be easy to understand by the victim, bystanders and first aiders. The likelihood of delayed effects and any need for further medical treatment should be covered. 

Boats should be manned continuously - and on patrol whilst work is in progress - by experienced boatmen who are qualified first aiders. If possible, there should be two persons to a boat so that one is free to attend to the person in the water. Boatmen should always wear suitable buoyancy aids. 

First aid facilities should be available, in the charge of a first aider or appointed person, on pontoons, barges and near all landing places. 

Despite all the safety precautions taken on construction sites to prevent injury to the workforce, accidents do happen and you may be the only other person able to take action to assist a workmate. This section is not intended to replace a first aid course but to give learners the knowledge to understand the types of injuries they may come across in the workplace. If you are not a qualified first aider limit your help to obvious common-sense assistance and call for help, but do remember that if a workmate s heart or breathing has stopped as a result of an accident they have only minutes to live unless you act quickly. TTie Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981 and relevant approved codes of practice and guidance notes place a duty of care on all employers to provide adequate first aid facilities appropriate to the type of work being undertaken. Adequate facilities will relate to a number of factors such as ... 

Employers are under a duty to provide such numbers of suitable persons as is adequate and appropriate in the circumstances for rendering first aid to his employees if they are injured or become ill at work. For this purpose a person shall not be suitable unless he or she has undergone such training and has such qualifications as the Health and Safety Executive may approve. This is typical of the way in which the Health and Safety Regulations are written. The regulations and codes of practice do not specify numbers, but set out guidelines in respect of the number of first aiders needed, dependent upon the type of company, the hazards present and the number of people employed. 

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 may aiso undertake the duties of an appointed person. An appointed person is someone who is nominated to take charge when someone is injured or becomes iii, inciuding caiiing an ambuiance if required. The appointed person wiii aiso iook after the first aid equipment, inciuding restocking the first aid box. 

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

To avoid possible contact with hepatitis or the AIDS virus when dealing with open wounds, first aiders should avoid contact with fresh blood by wearing plastic or rubber protective gloves, or by allowing the casualty to apply pressure to the bleeding wound. 

Every accident must be reported to an employer and minor accidents reported to a supervisor, safety officer or first aider and the details of the accident and treatment given suitably documented. A first aid log-book or accident book such as that shown in Fig. 1.34 containing first aid treatment record sheets could be used to effectively document accidents which occur in the workplace and the treatment given. Failure to do so may influence the payment of compensation at a later date if an injury leads to permanent disability. To comply with the Data Protection Regulations, from 31 December 2003 all first aid treatment log-books or accident report books must contain perforated sheets which can be removed after completion and filed away for personal security. 

What is the pattern of working hours, shift work, night work, and is a first aider available for everyone at all times ... 

How many trained first aiders will be required ... 

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