FIRST AID

1. FIRST AID

2. Fist Aid in the Workplace People at work can suffer injuries or fall ill. It does not matter whether the injury or the illness is caused by the work they do or not. What is important is that they receive immediate attention and an ambulance is called in serious cases. The Health and safety ( First Aid ) regulations 1981 requires employers to : provide adequate first aid equipment and facilities appropriate to the type of work undertaken appoint a sufficient number of suitable and trained people to render first aid to employees injured or who become ill at work. ( First Aiders ) Appoint a sufficient number of suitable people who, in the temporary absence of a first aider, will be capable of dealing with and injured or ill employee and of taking charge of first aid equipment and facilities. Inform employees of the first aid arrangements, including the location of equipment and personnel. This will require that notices be posted and signs displayed.

3. Fist Aid in the Workplace What is adequate and appropriate to the type of work will depend on the circumstances in your workplace BUT: There should always be a minimum provision on any work site and that provision is -: A suitably stocked first aid box A trained first aider An appointed person to take charge of first aid arrangements. A first aider must have received training and hold a current first aid certificate issued by an organisation or employer approved by the Health and safety Executive. A first aider can undertake the duties of an appointed person. An appointed person is some one who has been authorised by management to take charge of a situation ,e.g. to call an ambulance if there is a serious illness or injury. They will act in the absence of the trained first aider or in situations where the first aider is not required.

4. Equipment and facilities Location of first aid facilities It is essential that all employees should have quick and easy access to first aid facilities. Where employees are working in large numbers and in fairly close proximity, the facilities should be centralised in that area. Where employees are spread out, it would be necessary to distribute first aiders and emergency equipment accordingly. All employees must be aware of the location of first aid facilities and arrangements for providing treatment. To ensure employees know where the facilities are the facilities must be clearly marked with a white cross on a green background, in accordance with the Health and Safety ( Safety Signs and Signals ) Regs 1996