014 – First Aid Guidance

Guidance Number:
First Aid Guidance / Issue Date and Version Number: To be added / Page:
1 of9
Review Date:
To be added(or sooner if there is a change in legislation or to reflect best practice) / Related Policies:
Name / Position / Contact Number
To be added / Head Teacher / To be added

INTRODUCTION

First-aid has two functions:

  • It provides initial treatment for the purposes of preserving life and minimising the consequences of injury and illness until qualified medical help can be obtained.
  • It provides treatment for minor injuries which would otherwise receive no treatment.

This guidance will assistHead Teachers in meeting their obligations to ensure that suitable first aid provisions are made available in their schools.However this information does not cover giving tablets or medicines to treat illnesses.

LEGISLATIVE REQUIREMENTS

Each school must assess the risks associated with both curriculum and non curriculum activities in their building and put into place suitable first-aid provisions.

Effective first aid provision relies on a number of factors, as well as:

  • an adequate number of trained first aiders;
  • first aid equipment,

There must be:

  • a risk assessment to determine the school’s needs and resources
  • good organisation of first aiders
  • periodic review of first aid arrangements in the school.

RESPONSIBILITY FOR FIRST AID

Head Teachers/GovernorsResponsibilities:

  • assessing first aid requirements in terms of equipment, facilities and personnel required
  • arranging suitable training for first aiders, keeping records of the training and ensuring trained first aiders attend refresher courses as detailed;
  • ensuring that there are adequate and appropriate signs so that staff and pupils are aware of who and where the first aiders and equipment are sited
  • ensuring that staff report the use of equipment from the first aid box and that first aid boxes are periodically inspected
  • ensuring suitable first aid cover at all times e.g. holidays, out of hours

activities.

First Aiders Responsibilities

  • To provide first aid for staff, pupils, contractors and visitors to the school;
  • maintain confidentiality and the dignity of the casualty as far as is possible;
  • ask for further assistance from the emergency services;
  • keep a record of first aid treatment given;
  • report incidents of first aid treatment to the manager;
  • check and replenish the contents of the First Aid boxes whenever necessary;
  • report deficiencies in the first aid arrangements and facilities to the headteacher;
  • attend any first aid training that is provided by the school.

Employees who are Emergency First Aid in the Workplace (EFAW) trained should only provide emergency cover in the absence of trained first aiders when there is “exceptional, unforeseen, and temporary circumstances”.

ASSESSMENT OF FIRST AID ARRANGEMENTS

The assessment of first aid needs should be adequate and appropriate to the circumstances of each workplace and should take into account staff and third parties i.e. visitors, contractors and pupils.

FIRST AID MATERIALS & EQUIPMENT

The contents of first aid kits should be decided by the development of a risk

assessment. The following is a list of items that can be included, based on a

typical schools risk assessment.

  • 20 individual wrapped, sterile adhesive dressings (assorted sizes). N.B. blue detectable dressings should be available in food preparation areas.
  • Two sterile eye pads.
  • Four individually wrapped triangular bandages (preferably sterile).
  • Six Safety Pins.
  • Six medium-sized (approximately 12x12cm) individually wrapped sterile
  • un-medicated wound dressings.
  • Two large (approximately 18x18cm sterile individually wrapped un-medicated wound dressings.
  • Supply of disposable gloves.
  • Resuscitation aid to protect first aider from contamination when carrying out cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
  • Where no mains water is readily available a small supply of sterile water should be available for eye irrigation.

Additional items can include:

  • Scissors.
  • Adhesive Tape.
  • Disposable Apron.
  • Individually wrapped moist wipes (alcohol free)
  • Sterile eye wash

If the assessment identifies the need for a travelling first aid kit perhaps for a an educational visit or lunchtime cover in the playground then it should be issued, checked and re-stocked from the work base. Basic contents are:

  • 1x large, sterile, un-medicated dressing
  • 2x triangular bandages
  • 2x safety pins
  • Individually wrapped moist cleaning wipe
  • 1x pair of disposable gloves

First aiders should also have access to ‘record of treatment’ forms, so that the materials and equipment used to treat casualties can be monitored and levels of stock altered accordingly.

FIrst aid rooms

First aid rooms only need to be provided where your assessment identifies thatthis is necessary.

If your assessment identifies the need for a first aid room, it should be:

  • adequately equipped;
  • easily accessible to stretchers and wheelchairs;
  • clearly sign posted and identified;
  • if possible, the space should be reserved for giving first aid only;
  • be large enough for a couch, with space either side in which people could treat a casualty;
  • have washable surfaces;
  • have adequate heating, ventilation and lighting;
  • be kept clean, tidy and available for use at all times
  • be in a convenient position for emergency services access;
  • have a display notice on the door with the names, location and phone extension numbers of available first aiders;
  • sink with hot and cold running water;
  • drinking water and disposable cups;
  • soap dispenser and paper towels;
  • a storage area for first aid supplies;
  • foot-operated refuse containers, lined with disposable yellow clinical waste bags;
  • a chair;
  • a record for recording all first aid treatment;
  • a suitable WC should be close by.

obtaining further assistance

There may be times when a first aider cannot deal with a situation themselves and assistance from external bodies such as the ambulance service is required.

If anyone in the school is taken ill or is injured and it is felt that the illness/injury is sufficiently serious as to demand urgent medical treatment the ambulance service should be contacted without delay.

On occasions it may be necessary for staff to transport fellow staff members or pupils to hospital, their G.P or home. Employees should be made aware that if they use their own cars as transportation; neither the Council’s Third Party nor the Employers Liabilityinsurance is effective. Any employees who may be required to use their own car are advised that their own car insurance should provide full cover for business use.

To get expert medical assistance, call an ambulance on ‘999’ as early as possible after assessing the situation. Dialling 999 will connect a caller to emergency assistance – Police, Fire, Ambulance, rescue services. 999 can be dialled free from any phone, fixed or mobile. Beware that in many workplaces there may be an internal number (usually 9) to get an outside line

There are three important things to remember when calling for help:

  1. State which emergency service required e.g. ambulance, rescue, fire or police;
  2. Stay on the line until connected with the emergency service operator as they will need to talk to you before sending assistance;
  3. Give as much information as you can about the emergency, including:
  4. Exact address of school
  5. Caller’s name
  6. What happened e.g. fell over and suspected broken leg
  7. Number and condition of casualties.

The first aider should always send someone outside to meet the emergency services and guide them to the injured party.

If the first aider is attending to a casualty then a bystander should be instructed to telephone for help but they must return to confirm that the call has been made. Someone may also need to update the emergency services on route if the casualty’s condition worsens.

MEDICAL ALERT DEVICES

Some individuals suffer from certain medical conditions that may cause them to present with serious signs and symptoms at any time. As a form of assistance and notification these people may wear a form of medical identification, usually a special bracelet, necklace, or carry a card. These warning devices are referred to medical alert devices and are commonly known as “medic-alert” and “SOS talisman”.

They are imprinted with the person’s identity, the relevant medical condition, and other details which may include allergies, drugs required, or specialised medical contact.

In schools there may be pupils with known medical conditions who require specific medicines to be administered. All schools should have a specific managing medicines policy in which to address this.

RECRUITMENT AND SELECTION OF FIRST AIDERS AND APPOINTED PERSONS

The question of who to appoint as a first aider must be considered. The following criteria should be taken into account by headteachers:

  • 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
  • ability to leave their place of work to go immediately and rapidly to an emergency

Selection of first aiders should take account of the importance of ensuring sufficient cover. Priority is therefore likely to be given to fulltime staff and those based within the school who would be more readily available in an emergency.

It is very important that the individual understands, before the expensive training is undertaken, the implications of the tasks they might be asked to perform. In addition school management should undertake to support them appropriately in the event of a stressful episode such as a fatality. This should take the form of expert counselling. First aiders must also be prepared to maintain confidentiality, if it is appropriate and will not put other staff or pupils at risk.

Special additional training would have to be given if a hazard, such as the use of defibulators, was identified within a risk assessment. This training would be in addition to the basic training and does not need HSE approval.

RECORD KEEPING

Where a ‘record of treatment’ form is not available, headteachers should provide their first aiders with a note book in which to record incidents that they attend.

Record of treatmententries should include:

  • date, time and place of incidents;
  • details of the injury/illness and what First Aid was given;
  • what happened to the person immediately afterwards (returned to work, home, hospital, GP etc.);
  • name of first aider or person dealing with the accident.

The first aider will normally fill in the accident form. The form must then be passed to the school Assessnet administrator to be input on line.

Training

All first aiders must undertake an initial approved ‘First Aid at Work’ course lasting a minimum of 3 days contact time and including an examination at the end. Refresher training lasting at least 2 days will need to be completed within three years to maintain the validity of their certificate.

All ‘appointed persons’will complete, as a minimum, an ‘Emergency First Aid at Work’ (EFAW) course lasting at least one day. This course will need to be repeated at least every 3 years to remain valid.

HYGIENE AND INFECTION CONTROL

First aiders will have been given instruction in hygiene/ infection control in their training and should follow the guidance they have been provided with.

INSURANCE

All First Aiders are covered by the schools liability insurance to treat the public etc unless it is shown that they were deliberately negligent within the context of the school. Employees carrying out first aid not in relation to school activities and in their own time are advised to provide their own insurance cover.

Assessment of First Aid Needs Checklist
The minimum first aid requirements for a school are:
  • A suitably marked and stocked first aid box
  • Appointed person to be responsible for the first aid arrangements
  • Information to employees on the first aid arrangements
The checklist below is designed to assist with the assessment of additional provision needed
CHECKLIST:
1. / How serious are the risks of injury or ill health arising from school activities as identified in your risk assessment? / How many first aiders will you need?
2. / What specific risks have you identified, such as:
  • Hazardous activities
  • Hazardous substances
  • Hazardous school equipment
  • Potential for violence from customers
/ You need to think about:
  • Extra training for the first aiders
  • Extra first aid equipment.
  • The location of first aid equipment.
  • Informing the emergency services.
  • Provision of a first aid room.

3. / Are there parts of your school or school activities that have higher levels of risk? (e.g. kitchen or dining room, manual handling) / You will need to make different provision where you identify a higher level of risk.
4. / Are there large numbers of employees, pupils and contractors at your school? / You will need to provide sufficient first aiders to cover the higher probability of an accident/illness.
5. / What is your past record of accidents and cases of ill health? What type are they and where did they happen? / You may need to:
  • Review the contents of the first aid box

6. / Is your school spread over several floors or separate buildings? / You will need to look at provision in each building or on several floors.
7 / Are there out of hours activities in your school? / Ensure there is adequate provision for first aid at all times.
8 / Are you in a remote location? / You must:
  • Provide a sufficient level of trained first aiders.
  • Provide sufficient equipment and supplies

9. / Do you have lone workers (i.e staff working out of hours by themselves)? / Consider issuing:
  • Personal First Aid kits
  • Mobile phones/radios
  • Lone-worker devices

10. / Do you have trainees or work experience trainees? / Remember your first arrangements must take their inexperience into account.
11. / Is your school frequently visited by members of the public (i.e. parents)? / It is recommended that visitors are included when calculating provision of first aid.
12. / Do you have employees with difficulties reading First Aid signs? / You will need to provide appropriate signs and first aid information.

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