First aid policy template

Definitions

First Aider

An employee who has been trained to properly give first aid at work and holds a current 'First Aid at Work' certificate and has been appointed by the company.

References

• The Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974.
• Management of Health & Safety at Work Regulations 1999 (MHSAW).
• The Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981.

Responsibilities of a First Aider

• To preserve life until medical help arrives.
• To limit the effects of the injury or illness.
• To evacuate the casualty safely.
• To promote recovery.
• To get the casualty medical help if required.

Provision of First Aid

Site risk assessment process

It is not possible to give hard and fast rules about the numbers of First Aiders required on each site or situation. This will depend on the circumstances and situation of the workplace and the hazards and risks present. However, the Health and Safety Executive has given some general guidelines to be followed.

It should be noted that the minimum requirement is for an emergency first aider to be present when there are workers on site.

Communication

All arrangements for First Aid must be brought to the attention of all employees.

For visitors and the self-employed it is important that they are aware of local arrangements. Checks should be made to ensure liability insurance cover would apply.

In the event of an incident requiring First Aid, procedures should be in place to ensure immediate notification and release of a First Aider. Tannoy systems or pagers could be used.

How to choose a First Aider

There are some basic qualities which will be needed:

• Calm in a crisis.
• Trusted by their colleagues.
• Able to pass an examination - practical and written.
• Physically able to give CPR.
• Able to leave their work at short notice.
• Have an interest in health and safety.

First Aid boxes

Containers for First Aid equipment can be boxes, bags or cupboards and should be made of material able to protect the contents from damp and dust. Containers should be marked with a white cross on a green background. There should be at least one box per site.

The contents of the First Aid containers are covered by the First Aid Regulations and the type of dressings etc. should be determined by risk assessment and agreed with Occupational Health or Health and Safety. The contents of the container should be regularly checked and replenished, usually by First Aid personnel.

Blue metal detectable plasters should be checked to ensure that they are detectable and records kept supporting this (required for audit purposes).

Those who work off site or travel on behalf of the company should be given a personal first aid kit.

[First Aid Room

The need for a First Aid room will be assessed from the risk assessment process.]

First Aid Training

All First Aiders must attend a HSE approved training course and hold a current certificate for First Aid at Work from the training organisation. The training organisation should be made aware of any special hazards on site so that relevant First Aid training is received.

Initial training is normally of 3 days duration with a practical and written test at the end of the taught course. The First Aid at Work certificate is valid for 3 years with a 2-day re-qualification period required before the 3-year expires. It should be noted that if the certificate expiratory date is over one month, then a full 3-day course is required to receive a valid certificate. 

Guidance from the HSE suggests that First Aiders and Emergency First Aiders should undertake annual refresher training over half a day during any 3 year period to keep skills up to date.

First Aid training records and lists of First Aiders will be kept in a readily accessible format for audit and inspection purposes.

First Aid Treatments

All First Aid staff should only give treatments for which they have been trained.

Protection for First Aiders

All First Aid staff who regularly treat cuts and come into contact with blood should ensure that they follow safe handling procedures to protect themselves against blood borne viruses such as Hepatitis B and HIV.

Eyewash bottles and Equipment

This equipment should be considered as First Aid equipment and maintained as such.

Monitoring

[name] will audit [%]% of all entries in the Accident book that require treatment.

Reordkeeping

All accidents at work must be recorded in the Accident Book. The First Aider will make records of all treatment given at the time of the incident.

Reporting

First Aid staff will report to [name] regarding First Aid matters but to the line manager for all other duties.

Review of the policy

This policywill be reviewed 2 yearly or if changing legislation indicates and communicated to all relevant personnel.