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Last Updated: 29th October 2003


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First Aid Provision


The following document is based on the college policy arrangements for the provision of first aid as devised by Dr. Elizabeth Clark of the Occupational Health Service (May 1997). The department of Computer Science accepts and abides by them in full.

Aims Of These Arrangements

  • To comply with the Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981, which place a general duty on employers to provide, or ensure that there is provided, adequate equipment, facilities and personnel to render first-aid to their employees if they are injured or become ill at work.
  • To ensure similar provision for College students.

In the context of the Regulations "first aid" means

  • 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.
  • Treatment of minor injuries, which would otherwise receive no treatment, or which do not need treatment by a medical practitioner or nurse.

Objectives

  • To provide adequate and appropriate equipment and facilities to render first aid to staff and students.
  • To provide suitably trained personnel to render first aid to staff and students.
  • To inform staff and students of the arrangements that have been made in connection with the provision of first aid, including the location of equipment, facilities and personnel.

Assessment of Requirements

Assessment of requirements should be by location, either by Departments, or by co-operation between Departments where buildings are occupied by more than one Department.

Assessment must take account of the nature of the work being carried out, and the hazards and risks of that work. Attention should be paid to the location of first aid materials and equipment, so that they are readily available when needed. In some locations it may be appropriate to designate a first aid room.

The numbers of first aid personnel required (see below) are based on HSE Guidance for organisations, and it is important when looking at provision for locations within the College not to lose sight of overall provision. For this reason the Lead Safety Officer must be involved in defining "locations" for the purpose of assessing requirements.

Arrangements must cover the normal working day and also any out-of-hours occupation of premises.

Similar provision, appropriate to the activities taking place, must be made for sports facilities and halls of residence.

Provision must also be made for field work and expeditions.

Advice about assessment of requirements can be obtained from the Occupational Health Physician or the Lead Safety Officer. On the whole, organisational enquiries and enquiries about training courses should be addressed to the Lead Safety Officer, and enquiries about provision and treatment should be addressed to the Occupational Health Physician.

First Aid Equipment

All locations must have a first aid box, and some will require more than one to ensure easy access. They should be of a suitable material to protect the contents from damp and dust, preferably wall mounted and located near a basin for hand washing. They should be labelled with a white cross on a green background in accordance with the Safety Signs Regulations 1980.

They should contain first aid items only, and not tablets or medication.

Quantities of first aid items may vary according to assessment of need, but as a general guide a minimum stock would normally be:

  • Guidance leaflet, e.g. the HSE leaflet "Basic advice on first aid at work"
  • List of contents and the name of the first aider/appointed person in charge
  • 20 individually wrapped sterile adhesive dressings (assorted sizes), appropriate to the type of work (e.g. blue waterproof for food handlers)
  • 2 sterile eye pads with attachment
  • 4 individually wrapped triangular bandages
  • 6 safety pins
  • 6 medium sized individually wrapped sterile unmedicated wound dressings (12cm x 12cm)
  • 2 medium sized individually wrapped sterile unmedicated wound dressings (18cm x 18cm)
  • One pair of disposable gloves
  • Clinical waste bag and instruction for use.

First aid materials must be replaced as soon as possible after use, and boxes must be checked regularly by the person in charge of the box to ensure that all items are in date.

Where assessment indicates the need for additional materials or equipment these may be kept in the first aid box if there is enough room, or stored separately so long as they are readily accessible if needed. If they are not kept in the First Aid box, the box must contain directions where to find them.

Where assessment indicates the need for eye irrigation facilities, if mains tap water is not readily available a minimum of 900mls sterile normal saline 0.9% in sealed disposable containers must be available as close as possible to the place where the need might arise. Once the seal is broken they should not be kept for reuse, and they should not be used after the expiry date. The designated local appointed person/first aider must check containers on a regular basis.

For field trips and sports events, assessments should include the need for mobile communication equipment (e.g. mobile telephone).

There must be a first aid book in which all treatments are recorded.

First aid equipment in the department of computer science is located in the following areas:

  • The departmental office on the 5th floor, room 5.25
  • The Helpdesk on the 4th floor, room 4.07

First Aid Personnel

Appointed Person

This is a person who is appointed by an employer to take charge of an emergency situation and call appropriate help, and to be responsible for the maintenance of the first aid box and its contents. Appointed persons should be trained in emergency first aid, for which the College currently runs a one day course.

First Aider

First aiders must undertake a four day course, with an examination, approved by the Health and Safety Executive for the purposes of first aid at work. Certificates are valid for three years and in order to maintain certification it is essential to take a two day re-qualification course, with exam, within the three years. The courses are intensive and require revision from the course book in the evenings.

Other qualifications

Doctors registered with the General Medical Council, and nurses whose names are registered in part 1, 2, 10, or 11 of the Single Professional Register maintained by the United Kingdom Central Council for Nursing Midwifery and Health Visiting can act as first aiders. They must confirm that their professional insurance covers acting as first aiders at work.

First Aiders in the department of computer science are:

  • JJ Giwa, Senior Departmental Officer, room 5.25. Ext 37214
  • Tracy Williams, Advanced Graduate Administrator, room 5.22. Ext 37287

Appointed persons in the department of computer science are:

  • Mr Denis Timm, Head of Technical Support Group, room 4.21. Ext. 37283
  • Patricia Fenoy, Departmental Office Assistant, room 5.25. Ext 37214

Selection of First Aid Personnel

In selecting first aid personnel the following factors must be taken into account:

  • 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
  • availability to go immediately and rapidly to an emergency

Numbers Of First Aid Personnel Required

The following are minimum numbers of first aid personnel that should be available in any College location:

In laboratories, workshops, kitchens, or any other locations where hazardous work is carried out:

  • Fewer than 20 people - at least one appointed person
  • 20 - 50 people at least one first aider
  • 50-100 people - at least two first aiders
  • More than 100 people - one additional first aider for every additional hundred people

Other College locations:

  • Fewer than 50 people - at least one appointed person
  • 50-100 people - at least one first aider
  • More than 100 people - one additional first aider for every additional hundred people

Field work:

When field work takes place in remote areas there should be at least two first aiders irrespective of numbers in the party.

Sports Grounds:

When sporting activities are taking place minimum provision for participants should be one first aider, and when spectators are present provision should take their anticipated numbers into account.

Training Of First Aid Personnel

The UCL Safety Office is responsible for providing training courses for first aiders and appointed persons. The following courses are provided:

First aid at work course

This is a course approved by the HSE for first aid at work, leading to certification, which is valid for three years. Courses all follow the same syllabus, as recommended in HSE Guidance, but staff may be asked to attend specific courses where there is an emphasis on their particular circumstances, e.g. courses designated for staff involved in field work. Courses should last at least 24 contact hours, including the final assessment, and are usually run on four consecutive days.

Re-qualification course

This is a course approved by the HSE to renew the certificate for first aid at work. It must be completed within three years of the last certificate, in order to renew the certificate for a further three years. Courses should last at least 12 contact hours, including the final assessment, and are usually run on two consecutive days.

Emergency first aid course for appointed persons

This is a short course designed to appraise appointed persons of their responsibilities and instruct them in the principles of handling medical emergencies. It usually lasts one day.

Annual half day course

All first aid personnel must attend a refresher course annually. This applies to appointed persons, first aiders, and doctors and nurses acting as first aiders.

Additional training

Additional training to cover less common risks is in addition to the basic training for first aid at work.

Records

After any treatment the following must be recorded in the local first aid book:

  • Date, time and place of incident
  • Name and status of the injured or ill person
  • Details of the injury or illness and what first aid was given
  • What happened to the person immediately afterwards (e.g. went back to work, home, or to hospital)
  • Name and signature of the first aider or person who dealt with the incident

All accidents and work related incidents must be notified to the College Safety Office on a College Accident/Incident Report Form.

Information for Staff and Students

In all locations information must be prominently displayed, including:

  • The location of first aid equipment
  • The names of first aid personnel and how to contact them

Authorisation

Head of Department: Prof. A. Finkelstein

Signature:

Date: 29th October 2004



The Safety Officer is Dave Twisleton
Room 4.18, Malet Place Engineering Building
020 7679 3667 / ext 33667