Health and Safety

Policy Arrangement

Section 9 – First Aid

E-mail [email protected]

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Arrangement Section 9 – First Aid

Contents

1. Introduction.
2. Statement.
3. Definitions.
4. Assessing Need for Trained Assistance.
5. Recruitment and Selection of Responders.
6. Use of Nurses/Paramedics as First Aiders.
7. Training Requirements.
8. Provision of First Aid Rooms.
9. First Aid Boxes.
10. First Aid Treatment.
11. Specialist Training.
12. Informing Employees.

Appendix 1 - Assessment Criteria.

Appendix 2 - Contents and Selection of a First Aid Kit.
Appendix 3 - Emergency Information Sign.
Appendix 4 - Employee Information Sheet.

Schedule 1 - Impact Assessment.

Further guidance on this matter can also be obtained from the safety team at
[email protected]

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Arrangement Section 9 – First Aid

1. Introduction

The Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981, commonly called the First Aid at
Work Regulations, place a general duty on employers to make, or to ensure, there is
adequate first aid provision for their employees should they become injured or ill whilst
at work. There is also a duty to inform employees of the arrangements made under
these regulations.

It should be noted that the annual first aid allowance set out in the Conditions of
Service will be paid to employees who are authorised by Services to act as First Aiders
and who hold a current valid First Aid at Work Certificate issued in accordance with the
Health and Safety Executive’s guidance on course content and delivery. There is no
payment associated with the role of Emergency First Aider or Appointed Persons.

2. Statement

The Council will meet the requirements of the Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations
1981, by providing an appropriate level of first aid provision in keeping with the risks
identified within each particular area of operation.

Assistant Chief Executives will ensure arrangements for first aid provision are in place
in all areas of operation for which they are responsible. Arrangements will include:-

a) The provision of adequate and appropriate equipment and facilities to enable

first aid to be given to employees if they are injured or become ill at work.

b) The appointment of an adequate number of first aid responders for rendering

first aid to employees if they are injured or become ill at work.

c) The provision of training and specialist training, if necessary, to ensure that first
aid responders are competent to deal with foreseeable first aid incidents.

d) The provision of information to employees of the first aid arrangements in place

at their place of work.

Each Service will set up a system to monitor first aider related qualifications and ensure
that those nominated to contribute to any first aid response undergo retraining within a
three year period.

Where two or more Services of the Council are located in a building, the Service with
the most employees will co-ordinate the first aid arrangements, ensuring that the
relevant number of first aid responders have current and appropriate qualifications, that
adequate facilities are provided and maintained, and that suitable notices are displayed
informing employees of the arrangements.

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3. Definitions

• First Aid is - ‘In cases where a person will need help from a medical practitioner or
Nurse, treatment for the purpose of preserving life and minimising the
consequences of injury and illness until such help is obtained’.

• First Aider is - ‘A person who holds a current first aid at work certificate issued by
an organisation training and assessing in accordance with Health and Safety
Executive (HSE) guidance.

• Emergency First Aider is – ‘A person holding a current Emergency First Aider

certificate issued by an organisation training and assessing in accordance with
Health and Safety Executive guidance’.

• Appointed Person is - ‘An appointed person is a person provided by the employer

to take charge of the situation (e.g. to call an ambulance), if a serious injury/illness
occurs in the absence of a first aider or emergency first aider. The appointed
person can render emergency first aid if trained to do so. Ideally, the appointed
person should be trained in basic first aid.

• First Aid Responder is – ‘A person forming part of the local response team for first
aid emergencies. Those individuals will hold a first at work certificate, an
emergency first aid certificate or the status of appointed person’.

• Specialist Equipment – ‘This relates to equipment and materials that would not
normally be used during basic first aid training. Equipment such as epi-pens,
defibrillators and stretchers are examples of such equipment’.

4. Assessment of First Aider/Appointed Persons Numbers

(a) Principles of Assessment

The provision of first aiders should not be based on numerical factors alone (e.g. one
first aider per 50 employees), instead it is essential that the risks associated with the
area of operation are examined and an assessment made of the probabilities that a
major accident will occur, for example:

1. A small stand alone office with 12 people working in it will have a low risk and
thus, there will not be a need for first aiders, instead appointed persons can be
used to provide an appropriate level of first aid cover;

2. In a large window factory where there is an increased risk of serious injury, then
qualified first aid cover will be required. The numbers of first aiders will depend
on the shift patterns, number of employees, layout of the factory (large area may
mean First Aider is not close at hand), and other operational factors;

3. Working in a home for the elderly with a maximum of 10 staff on duty at any one
time there is a low risk of serious injury. The regulations would perhaps suggest
that appointed persons would provide suitable first aid cover. However, in this
case, it is important to also consider the client group in the assessment of risk, in
this instance, it would suggest that at least one first aider may be required on
every shift.

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Each Service should, therefore, develop an approach to first aid provision that will take
all factors into account and provide first aid cover that will meet the legal obligations on
the Authority and also the moral obligations to those in the care of the Council.

Provision of first aiders, etc., should also allow for planned absence for first aiders (e.g.
training courses, holidays, etc.), and take into account flexitime working arrangements.

Guidance from the HSE indicates that the employer has to provide, as a minimum, an
appointed person at all times when employees are at work, this is then to be
supplemented depending on the risks identified. It outlines, as a guide, that in areas of
low hazard, an employer should consider the need for one trained first aider, during
normal working hours, for every 100 employees (or part thereof).

The guide gives further advice on the assessment of first aid provision. Appendix 1 of
this document contains an extract from the Code of Practice that may prove useful in
undertaking Service assessments of first aid provisions.

A first aid risk assessment form (HSF16) is available to use for this purpose and can be
downloaded from the first aid pages of Connect.

(b) Employees Working Away from Employers Premises

Where employees are sent away from their normal workbase, the line manager must
still ensure adequate and appropriate first aid provision is made for those employees.
Again this will depend on the assessment of the work activity and the associated risks,
for example:-

1. Where there are peripatetic employees working in an urban area engaged in

relatively low risk work (e.g. deliveries of non hazardous products), then no
additional provision may be required to supplement the permanent provision at
the work base.

2. Where, however, employees regularly work away from the employer’s

establishment in isolated or remote areas, then additional provision may be
required. This may simply be the provision of first aid equipment and, depending
on the nature of the task, additional first aid training.

(c) Employees of More than One Service Working Together

Where employees of more than one Service work together, then an agreement can be
made between the Services to provide suitable first aid cover for all persons at that
establishment. In this situation, it is important that one Service is appointed as the co-
ordinator in order to ensure a continued provision of first aid cover, keeping all records
and ensuring all the required training is undertaken. This responsibility would normally
fall to the Service with the largest number of employees at that establishment.

(d) First Aid at Special Events/Excursions

Where a Service is organising a special event where there will be an increased number
of persons or indeed an increase in the risk associated with the activities at the events,
then additional first aid cover may be required and this additional risk must be assessed
and the level of first aid cover adjusted as appropriate.

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(e) First Aid Responder Mix
Some first aid situations are best dealt with by two trained persons, so in some
circumstances it may be appropriate to appoint a mix of first aiders, emergency first
aiders and/or appointed persons. This would depend on the risks identified during the
risk assessment process. It is important to consider planned leave, shift patterns and
other circumstances when establishing the numbers and types of first aid responders
required to ensure agreed cover is provided at all times employees are present.

5. Recruitment and Selection of First Aiders

It will be necessary from time to time to recruit and appoint new first aid responders.
Employing Services should consider:-
• Availability during the working day.
• The demands and nature of the first aid cover.
• The personal attributes required (e.g. reliability, likely to remain calm in an
emergency).
• Ability to deal with incidents in a physically demanding location (e.g. suitable
personal fitness).

In order to assist in the selection of first aid responders, line managers should consider
the following simple questions:
• Is this something the candidate can enjoy and be passionate about?
• Are they a good communicator and do they enjoy interacting with others?
• Do they have the confidence and reliability to cope with an emergency?

Serious occurrences where critical first aid training is needed are rare, but they do
happen. A first aider has to be prepared to manage the situation at hand.
Written records of the appointment and training of first aider responders should be kept
and a system put in place to ensure regular retraining takes place.

6. Use of Nurses/Paramedics and Doctors as First Aiders

Often nurses or paramedics are quoted as the first aiders for establishments. There is
scope to use these individuals as part of the first aid response team if they are able to
demonstrate current knowledge and skill in first aid.
Nurses can only be considered as first aiders where they meet the following criteria:-
• They are nurses registered with the United Kingdom Nursing and Midwifery Council.
Paramedics can only be considered as first aiders if they meet the following criteria:
• They are registered with the Health and Care Professions Council
Similar exemptions also exist for doctors registered and licensed with the General
Medical Council.

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7. Training Requirements

First Aider
A first aider must be trained in accordance with the guidance issued by the HSE. A first
aid course will normally take three days and after a successful examination, will result
in the awarding of the ‘First Aid at Work’ certificate.
A first aider is required to undertake a one day refresher course within three years.
Should the certificate be allowed to lapse, then a three day course must be undertaken.
Emergency First Aider
An emergency first aider will hold a certificate issued in accordance the guidance
issued by the HSE having attended a one day course.
An emergency first aider will require to attend a one day refresher course every three
years.

Appointed Person
An appointed person should also attend a certificated course with a minimum of four
hours contact time. Retraining should take place every three years.

Ongoing training
The HSE guidance indicates that every effort should be made to allow those
participating in first aid response arrangements to attend half day refresher events
every year. The nature of this ongoing training can be varied and Services can create
their own ongoing training schemes that reflect the operational needs of the
organisation. Such proposals should be discussed with the relevant Service health and
safety team.
In some circumstances refresher training linked to specialist equipment is likely to be
required every 3 to 6 months e.g. Automatic External Defibrillators (AED).

8. Provision of First Aid Rooms

First aid rooms may be required where there is a high risk from hazards associated with
the operations of the Service. When a first aid room has been established, it must only
be used as such. It cannot be used as a tea room or a rest room for pregnant or
nursing mothers. It may, however, be used as a health screening room.

There should be a suitable person made responsible for the room and its contents. The
room should be large enough for persons to work round a couch and it should allow the
easy access and egress of wheelchairs and stretchers. In addition, it should be located
close to the access point for the emergency services and contain washing facilities,
drinking water and suitable refuse disposal arrangements.

Suitable incident recording systems (e.g. Internal Incident Report Form (HSF1)), should
be in place and provision made for the appropriate storage of first aid materials and
blankets, etc. Recording of the treatment given should also take place (HSF49).

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9. First Aid Boxes
First aid boxes which are to form part of an establishment’s permanent first aid
provision, should only contain items that the first aid responder has been trained to use
(See Appendix 2). The first aid box should be made of a suitable material and clearly
marked as a first aid box. This should be a white cross (+) on a green background.
Consideration should be given to providing first aid boxes in vehicles operated by the
Council.
The first aid box should be readily accessible and clearly visible. If the box is to be
stored in a cupboard, then that cupboard should also have a sign, that sign being a
white cross on a green background (first aid sign).
A nominated person, for example, first aider, emergency first aider or appointed person
must check all first aid boxes on a regular basis to make sure they are suitably stocked.
Sample signage can be downloaded from the first aid pages of Connect.

10. First Aid Treatment

Guidance on first aid treatment should be available at every establishment.

A record will be kept of all first aid treatment given by a first aid responder. This record
should include the following:
• Name/Address/Occupation of Injured Person.

• Description of Incident to include Time and Place.

• Description of Injuries.

• Description of Treatment.

• Record of Advice Given or Further Action Taken.

HSF49 – “First Aid – Treatment Record Card” has been made available for use by first
aid responders. First aid responders should also be aware of the need for the injured
person’s line manager (or in the case of non employees the service manager) to
complete the Incident Report Form (HSF1).
The manager must also consider the need to report the incident to the HSE in order to
comply with the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences
Regulations. AS7 – Incident Reporting gives guidance on this matter. To this end, first
aid responders should ensure that the employee’s line manager is aware of the
incident. In the case of clients/service users, the head of the establishment or
appointed deputy must be informed to allow the completion of the appropriate incident
forms.

11. Specialist Training

In some circumstances it will be necessary for first aid responders to receive training on
specialist items of first aid equipment or locally relevant medical conditions.

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Medical Conditions

Occasionally there will be a need to learn more about specific conditions affecting
employees or other service users. This could be linked to allergies or perhaps
conditions such as epilepsy or diabetes.

Emergency Equipment

There will also be circumstances where additional emergency equipment will be

introduced to the workplace. In these circumstances the first aid response team will
need to be made familiar with the operation of this equipment if there is an expectation
that they may be asked to operate it.

This might include defibrillators, spinal collars, evacuation chairs or spine boards

Refresher training will also need to be organised in respect of any provision made in
connection with these elements

12. Duty to Inform Employees

All establishments of North Lanarkshire Council will have a copy of the Service’s
procedures for first aid. These procedures will be drawn to the attention of all
employees during induction training and also at regular intervals thereafter.

To supplement this, every establishment will display a suitable notice indicating who the
responsible persons are for first aid, how to contact them, and where the first aid boxes
are kept. In addition to this information, other local or specialised information should
also be provided. The location of the first aid kit should be identified with a first aid sign
(white cross on a green background). This should be affixed to the relevant office and
cupboard doors.

An example of a suitable notice is included in Appendix 3.

An information sheet designed to assist with the provision of information to employees

is provided within appendix 4.

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 Appendix 1

Assessment Criteria

The following criteria reflects the Health and Safety Executive Guidance 2013 edition

Factor to consider Impact on first-aid provision

Hazards (The findings of the general risk assessment and other local conditions will help
create the most appropriate first aid provision for each workplace. HSF16 can be used to
formulate and record this risk assessment process).

Does your workplace have The minimum provision is:

low-level hazards such as
those that might be found - an appointed person to take charge of first-aid arrangements;
in offices and shops?
- a suitability stocked first-aid box.

Does your workplace have You should consider:

higher-level hazards such
as chemicals or - providing first-aiders;
dangerous machinery?
- providing suitably stocked first-aid box;

- precise location of first-aid equipment;

- providing a first-aid room;

- informing the emergency services of specific hazards etc in

advance.

Do your work activities You should consider:

involve special hazards
such as hydrofluoric acid - providing first-aiders;
or confined spaces?
- additional training for first-aiders to deal with injuries resulting
from special hazards;

- additional first-aid equipment;

- precise location of first-aid location;

- providing a first-aid room;

- informing the emergency services of specific hazards etc in

advance.

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Employees

Factor to consider Impact on first-aid provision

How many people are Where there are small numbers of employees, the minimum
employed on site? provision is:

- an appointed person to take charge of first-aid arrangements;

- a suitably stocked first-aid box.

Where there are large numbers of employees, i.e. more than 25,
even in low-hazard environments, you should consider providing:

- first-aiders;

- additional first-aid equipment;

- a first-aid room.

Are there inexperienced You should consider:

workers on site, or
employees with disabilities - additional training for first-aiders;
or particular health
problems? - additional first-aid equipment;

- Local siting of first-aid equipment.

Your first-aid provision should cover any work experience

trainees.

Accidents and ill-health record

What is your record of Ensure your first-aid provision will cater for the type of injuries and
accidents and ill health? illness that have occurred in your workplace. Monitor accidents
and ill health and review your first-aid provision as appropriate.
What injuries and illness
have occurred and where
did they happen?

Working arrangements
Do you have employees You should consider;
who travel a lot, work
remotely or work alone? - issuing personal first-aid kits;

- issuing personal communicators/mobile phones to employees.

Do any of your employees You should ensure there is adequate first-aid provision at all
work shifts or out-of- times people are at work
hours?

Are the premises spread You should consider the need for provision in each building or on
out, e.g. are these several each floor.
buildings on the site or
multi-floor buildings?

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 Factor to consider Impact on first-aid provision
Is your workplace remote You should:
from emergency medical
services? - inform the emergency services of your location.

- consider special arrangements with the emergency services;

- consider emergency transport requirements.

Do any of your employees You should make arrangements with other site occupiers to
work at sites occupied by ensure adequate provision of first aid. A written agreement
other employers? between employers is strongly recommended.

Do you have sufficient You should consider:

provision to cover
absences of first-aiders or - what cover is needed for annual leave and other planned
appointed persons? absences;

- what cover is needed for unplanned and exceptional absences.

Non-employees
Do members of the public Under the Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981, you
of non-employees visit have no legal duty to provide first aid for non-employees but HSE
your premises? strongly recommends that you include them in your first-aid
provision.

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 Appendix 2

Contents and Selection of a First Aid Kit

There is no mandatory list of items which should be included in a first aid kit. This
should be determined from information gathered during the assessment of first aid
needs. A minimum stock of first aid items would generally be:
• Guidance card.
• Twenty individually wrapped sterile self adhesive dressings of an appropriate size
and appropriate to the area of work.
• Two sterile eye pads with attachments.
• Two individually wrapped triangular bandages.
• Six safety pins.
• Six medium sized individually wrapped sterile unmedicated wound dressings
approximately 12cm x 12 cm.
• Two large individually wrapped sterile unmedicated wound dressings
approximately 18cm x 18cm.
• Three pairs of disposable gloves (non latex).

Where no mains water is available, then a litre of sterile water (0.9% Saline) in sealed
disposable containers should also be provided for the purpose of eye irrigation.
Suitable provision of disposable plastic gloves and aprons should be made.

First aid kits for use in a passenger carrying vehicle (PCV) must contain the following
as a minimum:

• 10 Alcohol free wipes

• 1 conforming disposable bandage (7.5cm wide)
• 2 triangular bandages
• 24 plasters
• 3 large unmedicated ambulance dressings
• 2 sterile eye pads
• 12 assorted safety pins
• 1 pair of rust less blunt end scissors

The following quantities for first aid kits are suggested by BS8599:

Item Description Small Medium Large Travel

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 Guidance card and contents list 1 1 1 1

Medium dressing 4 6 8 1

Large dressing 1 2 2 1

Triangular bandage 2 3 4 1

Safety Pins 6 12 24 2

Sterile eye 2 3 4 0

Individually Wrapped Sterile dressing (plasters) 40 60 100 10

Alcohol free wipes 20 30 40 4

Adhesive tape 1 1 1 1

Nitrile gloves 6 9 12 1

Sterile finger dressing 2 3 4 0

Resuscitation face shield 1 1 2 1

Foil blanket 1 2 3 1

Burn gel dressing 1 2 2 1

Shears 1 1 1 1

Conforming bandage 1 2 2 1

Eyewash 250ml. 0 0 0 1

The first aid risk assessment will help to determine the level of first aid resource that will
be required in each location. In relation to the type of first aid kit that will form the core of
the equipment provision, the following will provide a guide to the type of first aid kit most
likely to be of use.
Category of risk Number of Number & size of
employees first aid kit

Low risk
fewer than 25 1 small kit
(Shops, Offices and Libraries etc)
25-100 1 medium kit
1 large kit per 100
More than 100
employees
High Risk
fewer than 5 1 small kit
(Chemicals/Construction)
5 - 25 1 medium kit
1 large kit per 25
More than 25
employees
Where there are special circumstances such as remoteness from emergency medical
services, shift work or sites with several separate buildings, there might need to be more
first aid kits than set out above. This need would be determined from the manager’s own
risk assessment.

Appendix 3
Emergency Information Sign

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Note: Full A4 version available to down load from the First Aid pages of Connect

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 Appendix 4
First Aid – An Introduction

First aid is a vital part of every organisation’s provision for health and safety. The
information sheet offers a summary of the requirements placed upon an employer by
the Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981.
This document aims to give a short guide to the standard and level of first aid provision
to be expected within Council establishments and on Council activities.
Purpose of First Aid
The purpose of first aid is twofold:
a) In cases where a person will need help from a medical
practitioner or nurse, to give treatment for the purpose of
preserving life and minimising the consequences of injury
and illness until such help is obtained.
b) To treat minor injuries which would otherwise receive no
treatment or which do not need treatment by a medical
practitioner or nurse.
It is on this basis that facilities and arrangements for first aid should be provided in
Council establishments.
Assessment of first aid needs
The Council is required to carry out an assessment of first aid needs for each
workplace or for events/activities that are organised by the Council. This involves
consideration of workplace hazards and risks, the size of the undertaking and other
relevant factors all these elements taken together will help determine what first aid
equipment, facilities and personnel should be provided.
Responder Team
A first aid responder team will be established for each location/event this will consist of
a mix of trained individuals having access to the equipment identified as necessary
through the assessment of first aid needs outlined above. This responder team will
consist of people holding at least one of the following designations:
First Aider - A first aider is an adult who has successfully completed and holds a
current first aid at work certificate (normally attained via a 3 day course)
Emergency First Aider in the Workplace – An adult who has completed a 1 day
course in basic first aid and holds a current Emergency First Aider at Work certificate
Appointed Person – An adult appointed to take control of emergency first aid
situations. They will also regularly inspect the first aid kit keeping it suitably stocked
and available. An appointed person should participate in some form of formal training
and a have a basic knowledge of some simple first aid. It is suggested that such a
course may last around 4 hours.
As a minimum each location must have an appointed person (an emergency first aider
or a full first aider can undertake the role of an appointed person)
(Extract from IS63 First Aid – An Introduction)

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 Schedule 1

Impact Assessments

Document Title: Health and Safety Policy - Arrangement Section 9 – First Aid

Environmental Impact Assessment: This document has been assessed for

significant environmental impact; no detrimental impact has been identified.

Equality Impact Assessment: This document has been assessed for significant
equality implications; no significant issues have been identified.

General Comments: This document is the arrangement section relating to the

provision of first aid both internally and externally in association with the Council's
health and safety policy required by the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. The
general aims of the council are to ensure a healthy and safe working environment for all
persons that work for or make use of Council Services. Nothing in the document serves
to have any negative impact on either equality issues or the environment. In general,
associated documents will encourage positive consideration of both these areas to
ensure all members of the workforce and community are afforded access, so far as is
reasonably practicable, to the same opportunities for a healthy and safe workplace as
well as a sustainable environment.

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