Module 2: Roles and Responsibilities of the First Aider

Transcription

1 Module 2: Roles and Responsibilities of the First Aider Introduction This module provides learners with knowledge and awareness of the role of a First Aider and the legal aspects and responsibilities of both the employer and employees in maintaining a safe working environment. Module outcomes By the end of this module, the learner will be able to: Identify the role of the first aider Describe where the first aider sits within an organisation Describe an employer s legal responsibility for the welfare of its employees Discuss the legislation covering the need and use of first aid in the workplace Identify how and when to correctly report accidents. The role of the first aider A first aider in the workplace is someone who has undertaken appropriate training, usually for their specific work environment, and holds a valid certificate of competence in either: First aid at work Emergency first aid at work. Any other level of training or qualification (from an outside source e.g. St. John Ambulance) that is appropriate to the circumstances. The level of first aid cover will depend on the employer carrying out an assessment of their workplace first aid needs, which falls under Health and Safety regulations. Even if the assessment indicates that a first aider is not required, there is a minimum requirement for the employer to appoint a person, known as an Appointed Person, to take charge of any first aid arrangements. This person does not need to have had any formal first aid training but they are responsible for ensuring that first aid equipment is available, is adequate for their workplace needs, stocked and in-date. They also can have responsibility for looking after any first aid facilities the workplace may have and for calling the emergency services if necessary. They can, within their sphere of competence, cover for a qualified first aider in an emergency where a first aider is absent due to unforeseen circumstances.

2 Employer and Employee Responsibilities As mentioned earlier, employers have certain responsibilities under the Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981 to provide adequate and appropriate equipment, facilities and personnel to ensure their employees can receive immediate attention if required when injured or taken ill at work. This applies to all workplaces in the UK and covers those with less than five employees. The level of these provisions depends on the outcome of the employer s assessment of the risks and hazards within their workplace, size of workforce and any other relevant factors like travelling between sites and the completed first aid needs assessment. This will determine how many first aid kits are required (and what they should contain) as well as how many qualified first aiders and what level they need to be trained at to meet the workforce needs. It is an employee s responsibility to inform their employer of any relevant health problems they may have that might require treatment or for which they are already being treated, so that the workplace first aider is aware of their situation and, if required, can treat them accordingly. It is also the employee`s responsibility to be aware of his environment s risks and hazards and to report any they may find. Examples are loose wires on walk ways that could cause someone to trip, or wet floors where someone could slip. All should be reported immediately and steps taken to minimise the risks. Employees should also ensure they are aware of Health and Safety policies within their workplace and adhere to safe practices within the workplace at all times to minimise their and their fellow employees risk of accident and injury. RIDDOR RIDDOR is the regulatory reporting system used in the UK. It stands for Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations. It is a legal requirement to report any accidents or ill health within the workplace. If there is a fatality or specified injury, it must be reported to the enforcing authority without delay (preferably by telephone) and followed up in writing with the relevant completed form within ten days. It should be noted that any injures that are not fatal or specified should be reported online and not over the phone. The list of reportable specified injuries in RIDDOR 2013 is: Fractures, other than to fingers, thumbs and toes Amputations Any injury likely to lead to permanent loss of sight or reduction in sight

3 Any crush injury to the head/torso causing damage to the brain or internal organs Serious burns(including scalding) which covers more than 10% of the body or causes significant damage to the eyes, respiratory system or other vital organs Any scalping requiring hospital treatment Any loss of consciousness caused by head injury or asphyxia Any other injury arising from working in an enclosed space which leads to hypothermia or a heat-induced illness or requires resuscitation or admittance to hospital for more than 24 hours. Other reportable injuries are those which result in an employee being incapacitated for more than seven days. It is the employer s responsibility to report a RIDDOR. Reporting first aid incidents If minor injuries occur that do not fall within RIDDOR, then reporting to government official sources may not be required, but it may be worth using a locally-sourced log book to record any accidents or injuries. This is helpful in assessing risks and hazards in the workplace for Health and Safety. When similar injuries keep recurring and they have been logged, it can often help to identify if there is a previously unknown or unthought-of hazard in the workplace that has now developed into a potential risk and, therefore, steps can be taken to deal with it.

4 Modules 1-7 ACTIVITY 5 Identify the main causes of fatalities within the workplace in ACTIVITY 6 Describe the process for reporting an accident within the workplace and the relevant documents needed.

5 ACTIVITY 7 Discuss your understanding of RIDDOR and its relevance to the workplace. ACTIVITY 8 Name the recommended first aid box and describe its purpose.

6 Modules Self-Assessment Questionnaire 1. What is typically know to be the biggest risk in the workplace? 2. With regards to first aid in the workplace, what is an appointed person? 3. Who is responsible for carrying out first aid box checks? 4. What is the best defence against infection when treating an individual? 5. What should you do with medical supplies that have damaged packaging?