HEALTH & SAFETY @ LITTLE FRANCE FIRST AID

1. HEALTH & SAFETY @ LITTLE FRANCE FIRST AID Welcome to an on-line health and safety training package intended for staff and students working within UofE buildings on the Little France campus. Information contained within these pages is for use by University of Edinburgh staff and students only.

2. HEALTH & SAFETY @ LITTLE FRANCE FIRST AID This on-line training package is not in any way intended as a substitute for formal training in first aid, and completion will certainly not qualify you as a First Aider. Requests for formal training should be made through your Senior Laboratory Manager to the University’s First Aid Trainer (contact details towards the end of this presentation). Last updated: May, 2017

3. HEALTH & SAFETY @ LITTLE FRANCE FIRST AID Please take time to view the following material, and direct any questions to your H&S Advisor, Senior Laboratory Manager, or the Little France Buildings H&S Manager (the contact details for whom are shown on the penultimate page of this presentation).

4. HEALTH & SAFETY @ LITTLE FRANCE FIRST AID Please note, also, that best practice and related guidelines relating to first aid change quite frequently, and the content of this presentation do not necessarily reflect the very latest teaching on the subject. There is no substitute for full and proper instruction by a competent trainer. Thank you

5. HEALTH & SAFETY @ LITTLE FRANCE FIRST AID First Aid is about the correct management of a person who has been injured, or who has suddenly become unwell, to save life, and to help prevent deterioration in the condition of that person while awaiting the attention of qualified medical assistance.

6. HEALTH & SAFETY @ LITTLE FRANCE FIRST AID If an accident occurred right now, what would you do? • Keep calm • Assess the situation • Reassure the casualty • Get help

7. HEALTH & SAFETY @ LITTLE FRANCE FIRST AID First, though, you must check your own safety! You don’t want to become the second casualty … So look around you before approaching an injured or unwell person, and take steps to avoid hazards.

8. HEALTH & SAFETY @ LITTLE FRANCE FIRST AID Potential Dangers • Road traffic • Water • Broken glass • Chemicals • Gases • Adverse weather • Asphyxiants • Cryogens • Infection • Radiation • Electricity • Etc

9. HEALTH & SAFETY @ LITTLE FRANCE FIRST AID • If danger threatens, and you can do so without endangering yourself, carefully remove the casualty to a safer place. • Otherwise, though, you should move the casualty as little as possible.

10. HEALTH & SAFETY @ LITTLE FRANCE FIRST AID If fire is involved … If the casualty’s clothing is on fire, roll the person on the ground in a fire blanket or coat etc.

11. HEALTH & SAFETY @ LITTLE FRANCE FIRST AID If electricity is involved … • Do not touch the casualty until the current is switched off. • If the current cannot be switched off, stand on some dry insulating material and use a wooden or plastic implement to free the casualty from the electrical supply.

12. HEALTH & SAFETY @ LITTLE FRANCE FIRST AID If hazardous substances are involved … • What guidance already exists in safety data sheets, risk assessments and safe systems of work? • Consider the possible need for decontamination (e.g. use of emergency showers)

13. HEALTH & SAFETY @ LITTLE FRANCE FIRST AID If asphyxiant gases are involved … • Do not enter the area unless you are certain that is safe to do so (observe air sampling monitors and alarms). • Otherwise send for the Fire & Rescue Service, which has special equipment to help support the lives of rescuers.

14. HEALTH & SAFETY @ LITTLE FRANCE FIRST AID In general … • If possible, work with others, using bystanders to telephone for an ambulance, fetch first aid equipment etc. • Use protective clothing and equipment where necessary (e.g. suitably protective gloves).

15. HEALTH & SAFETY @ LITTLE FRANCE FIRST AID Speak calmly to the casualty, even if at first they appear to be unconscious, partly to help gauge their actual level of consciousness, and partly to help reassure them. A conscious casualty may, of course, be able to provide useful information about the accident.

16. HEALTH & SAFETY @ LITTLE FRANCE FIRST AID • If the casualty is unresponsive, ask witnesses to explain what happened or what they discovered when they arrived on the scene. • Continue to note the casualty’s level of consciousness … But note too that it may change.

17. HEALTH & SAFETY @ LITTLE FRANCE FIRST AID • Do not give the casualty anything to eat or drink, even if they ask for it; it may delay their treatment in Hospital. • And do not give any medication or apply lotions etc,unless the casualty knows that these are required (e.g. asthma or angina inhalers).

18. HEALTH & SAFETY @ LITTLE FRANCE FIRST AID If chemicals were involved, send a copy of the material safety data sheet and COSHH risk assessment together with the casualty to Hospital; these contain useful guidance for treatment of chemical injuries, intoxication, etc. Do not send/take samples of chemicals to Hospital.

19. HEALTH & SAFETY @ LITTLE FRANCE FIRST AID • If the injuries appear serious, get help at once by summoning an Ambulance Paramedic. • Delegate a person nearby to call for an ambulance, if one is required, by dialling (9)999 on any telephone connected to the Little France network.

20. HEALTH & SAFETY @ LITTLE FRANCE FIRST AID • Equally, you may chose to call for an ambulance using a mobile telephone, by dialling 999 (or 112) … once again, from a safe location. • The number 112 may be used from a landline in the same way as 999.

21. HEALTH & SAFETY @ LITTLE FRANCE FIRST AID You should not summon an ambulance by dialling 2222, since it is important that you (or whoever you may send to make the call on your behalf) speak directly to the emergency services operator, who is likely to ask a series of questions about the casualty that our own switchboard operators will not be able to answer. 2222

22. HEALTH & SAFETY @ LITTLE FRANCE FIRST AID • Neither will dialling 2222 result in a “crash team” coming to either of the University buildings. • Where a Paramedic is required, an ambulance will need to be summoned.

23. HEALTH & SAFETY @ LITTLE FRANCE FIRST AID • Give the precise location of the casualty, and explain briefly what has happened. • It is particularly important to mention if the casualty has stopped breathing … a greater degree of priority will be assigned to such cases.

24. HEALTH & SAFETY @ LITTLE FRANCE FIRST AID Send someone to Reception to meet the Paramedics and lead them to the casualty.

25. HEALTH & SAFETY @ LITTLE FRANCE FIRST AID If the injury is not so serious that an ambulance is required, but you think that the casualty still needs to be seen by a doctor, and you are certain that the casualty is fit to walk, you may escort them to the Infirmary’s Accident & Emergency Department.

26. HEALTH & SAFETY @ LITTLE FRANCE FIRST AID Alternatively, a wheelchair is available in the disabled persons toilet opposite Reception in the QMRI, and patient transport chairs can be borrowed from just inside the Infirmary’s main atrium close to the connecting corridor with the Chancellor’s Building.

27. HEALTH & SAFETY @ LITTLE FRANCE FIRST AID For casualties within the SCRM Building, first aiders will need to take into account the longer distance to the Accident & Emergency Department, and may elect to summon an ambulance to transport a casualty to the Infirmary.

28. HEALTH & SAFETY @ LITTLE FRANCE FIRST AID First Aid Priorities • Airway – Check and clear obstructions. • Breathing – Check and manage (e.g. by CPR). • Circulation – Check and manage (e.g. by CPR) and also manage bleeding etc.

29. HEALTH & SAFETY @ LITTLE FRANCE FIRST AID • Look for signs that the casualty’s heart may have stopped beating (blue lips, pale skin, lack of movement etc). • If the casualty is moving, it is unlikely that their heart has stopped beating. • But if these signs are present, commence chest compressions and rescue breaths.

30. HEALTH & SAFETY @ LITTLE FRANCE FIRST AID Airway Check that the casualty’s airway is unobstructed by removing anything that is physically preventing them from breathing, tilting their head back, gently lifting their chin, and then (in the position shown here) looking, listening and feeling for their breath.

31. HEALTH & SAFETY @ LITTLE FRANCE FIRST AID Breathing • If the casualty is not breathing, send for help and then start chest compressions as quickly as possible. • The first minutes are vital.

32. HEALTH & SAFETY @ LITTLE FRANCE FIRST AID The person being sent to obtain help should also be asked to return with an Automated External Defibrillator, which will be located at Reception in University buildings on the Bioquarter campus.

33. HEALTH & SAFETY @ LITTLE FRANCE FIRST AID • Lay the casualty flat if possible. • Remove any obvious obstructions from the casualty’s mouth. • Ease constrictions around the casualty’s neck, chest and waist. • Tilt the casualty’s head back slightly and gently lift their chin to open their airway.

34. HEALTH & SAFETY @ LITTLE FRANCE FIRST AID • Commence chest compressions (using the technique shown on this diagram). • Compress the casualty’s breast bone to a depth of 5-6cm, at a rate of 100-120 compressions per minute.

35. HEALTH & SAFETY @ LITTLE FRANCE FIRST AID • Current guidance is that there is no need for rescue breaths to be given if the first aider feels uncomfortable doing so, providing that chest compressions are continued. • Continue until the casualty resumes breathing unaided or until qualified medical services take over, however long this may take.

36. HEALTH & SAFETY @ LITTLE FRANCE FIRST AID If, however, you feel able to perform rescue breaths, do so at a rate of two for every thirty chest compressions until the casualty shows signs of recovering.

37. HEALTH & SAFETY @ LITTLE FRANCE FIRST AID When breathing resumes, place the casualty in the Recovery Position, and monitor them closely:

38. HEALTH & SAFETY @ LITTLE FRANCE FIRST AID Bleeding • If bleeding is severe, apply firm direct pressure on the wound to stop the bleeding, using hands, pads, dressings, etc. • If the bleeding is from a limb, elevate it to help reduce the blood flow. • Obtain help.

39. HEALTH & SAFETY @ LITTLE FRANCE FIRST AID Burns and Scalds Burns and scalds, however large or small, and from whatever cause (including chemicals), should be cooled by flushing with copious amounts of cold water for 10 minutes. If necessary, repeat this for another one or two ten minute periods. If chemicals are involved, one 20 minute period of flushing will be required.

40. HEALTH & SAFETY @ LITTLE FRANCE FIRST AID Burns and Scalds After cooling under cold running water, the affected area should then be covered with a dry sterile dressing, loosely applied cling film or a clean plastic bag (which will not stick to burns but will allow room for swelling and also prevents airborne contaminants coming into contact with the burn).

41. HEALTH & SAFETY @ LITTLE FRANCE FIRST AID Burns and Scalds • Never apply lotions, ointments or anything similar to a burn or scald. • Do not burst blisters or attempt to remove charred materials from a burn. • Always obtain medical attention.

42. HEALTH & SAFETY @ LITTLE FRANCE FIRST AID Eyes • Prevention is better than cure! Use eye protection wherever indicated. • Foreign bodies (including chemicals) in the eye should be flushed out using clean cool water for at least 10 - 15 minutes.

43. HEALTH & SAFETY @ LITTLE FRANCE FIRST AID Eyes Casualties with eye injuries should always be sent to the hospital, with the injured eye covered by a pad (or both eyes if the casualty is in discomfort as their eyes move about, but this dictates the need for special care when assisting the casualty to move afterwards).

44. HEALTH & SAFETY @ LITTLE FRANCE FIRST AID Accident Reporting Report ALL accidents causing injuries, and all near-miss occurrences, using the University’s on-line accident reporting form available at: http:// www.safety.ed.ac.uk

45. HEALTH & SAFETY @ LITTLE FRANCE FIRST AID

46. HEALTH & SAFETY @ LITTLE FRANCE FIRST AID Signage and Information Greensigns aresafety guidanceand include first aid-related signage.

47. HEALTH & SAFETY @ LITTLE FRANCE FIRST AID Who’s my First Aider? • Get to know who the First Aiders are for your area. • Know where to find the first aid box located closest to where you are normally based. • All of this information is contained in First Aid Notices …

48. HEALTH & SAFETY @ LITTLE FRANCE FIRST AID In the event of Illness or Injury, call a First Aider Or an Appointed Person The nearest First Aid box is located at: To call an Ambulance, dial (9)999 and report the precise location of the casualty, and send someone to Reception to guide attending Paramedics to the casualty Report all accidents using the on-line form at http://www.safety.ed.ac.uk/

49. HEALTH & SAFETY @ LITTLE FRANCE FIRST AID What’s an Emergency First Aider? Someone who has not attended the full training course and regular refreshers, but who has received training in basic life support, and who can contain the situation until relieved by a First Aider.

50. HEALTH & SAFETY @ LITTLE FRANCE FIRST AID If you need to use a First Aid Box … • Clean up any waste, taking particular care with blood etc. • Inform the First Aider, who may need to replenish supplies of plasters etc. • Take advice regarding any possible need to formally notify the circumstances and outcome.