Guidance for First Aiders and Appointed Persons
The following guidance is to assist First Aiders and Appointed Persons in the
performance of their duties. Further information and guidance can be obtained from
the Health, Safety & Risk Officer as required.
Who are First Aiders ?
‘First Aiders’ are staff who hold a current first aid certificate issued by a Health &
safety Executive (‘HSE’) approved organisation. A First Aid at Work Certificate is
awarded upon successful completion of a 4 day training course. The certificate is
valid for 3 years and a 2 day refresher course should ideally be completed before the
expiry date of the certificate.
(Note: New procedures on re-qualification were announced by the HSE in May 2006.
In summary this explains that where it has not been possible, the HSE will allow
extension of the certificate for 28 days beyond the expiry date, within which a
requalification course should be completed, otherwise the full 4 day course must be
undertaken to renew it. (Go to http://www.hse.gov.uk/firstaid/review/may06.htm
‘Appointed persons’ are people who are responsible for taking charge in an
emergency situation. E.g. calling for an ambulance, and also for ongoing matters
such as maintenance of the first aid box. The law does not require them to hold any
qualifications, however, the University provides a half day training course. Examples
of those trained to Appointed Person level are Student Wardens, Disability Support
Workers and Recreation Sports Services (‘RSS’) Assistants.
What items should a newly qualified First Aider hold?
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First Aid Certificate – supplied by the training organisation,
First Aid kit – supplied through the Health, Safety & Risk Officer,
Access to further first aid supplies and training,
Accident, Dangerous Occurrence & Near Miss Forms,
A copy of the current ‘Policy & Arrangements for First Aid’ (i.e this document).
What responsibilities do First Aiders and Appointed Persons have?
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Undertaking monthly checks of first aid equipment that they hold or have
normal access to,
Keeping records of all accidents which they respond to and of any first aid
treatment given using the University Accident & Incident Report Form.
Ensuring First Aid Notices are kept up to date.
Ensuring that their First Aid Certificates do not expire.
Returning portable first aid kits on leaving the employment of the University.
Should first aid treatment be recorded?
Yes. Treatments must be undertaken strictly in accordance with the training
provided. First Aiders must record details of all treatments in respect of injury or
illness which they respond to by completing a University Accident, Dangerous
Occurrence or Near Miss Form.
First aid treatment may only be provided by staff that are fully qualified First Aiders
and who hold a current First Aid Certificate. Other Staff who are health professionals
(such as staff from Health & Life Sciences) should not be asked to provide such
treatment unless they are also First Aid trained and with a current certificate.
Appointed Persons are only permitted to provide the emergency first aid treatment
that they have been trained for and should summon the help of a fully qualified first
aider wherever possible.
Can a First Aider be held liable if treatment fails?
Not if the actions were taken in good faith and to the best of the First Aider’s ability.
Where genuine efforts are to no avail, the First Aider will not be held liable for any
adverse outcome. To succeed, a civil claim would have to establish that the First
Aider had been negligent in some demonstrable way and that this negligence had
caused or worsened the patient’s condition.
Is it necessary to arrange insurance cover to protect First Aiders from claims
of negligence by those they treat?
No, additional cover is not necessary. In the unlikely event of the above scenario
occurring, any First Aider who is acting on behalf of York St John would be covered
under our Employer’s Liability Insurance (if the aggrieved injured party was a
member of staff) or under our Public Liability Insurance (if the individual was a
student or a member of the public).
Are First Aiders at risk from infections such as HIV when dealing with bleeding
or when trying to resuscitate someone?
No, provided that all sensible precautions are taken. The Human Immuno-deficiency
Virus (HIV) is for example only passed on through the exchange of bodily fluids.
Disposable gloves should be available for use by First Aiders and blood spillages
should be cleaned up promptly with a disinfectant as approved by Domestic
Services.
One way polythene shields (resusciades) are available as a standard stock item in
the First Aid Kits which are designed to be placed over the face of the patient to allow
for resuscitation without physical contact. There are no known cases of a First Aider
ever having been infected with HIV through attempted resuscitation. There are other
viruses that are however more contagious than HIV, such as Hepatitis B, so it is
sensible to always exercise caution and use barriers such as gloves when
administering first aid.
How do we call for an ambulance?
If as a First Aider or Appointed Person you believe that an ambulance is necessary
this can be achieved by either dialling 0 for Switchboard and a member of the
Reception Team will call one for you or by dialling (9) 999, ask for an Ambulance and
provide,
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The exact location of the patient,
A brief summary of the medical condition,
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The sex and approximate age of the patient,
Your name and contact telephone number.
If you call for the Ambulance direct you must subsequently notify Reception (or if at
weekends or out of hours Security Office (87) 6444) who can also assist in directing
the ambulance on arrival so as not to waste valuable time in them searching for the
casualty.
Should First Aiders accompany ill or injured persons to hospital or home?
This really depends on the circumstances and all First Aiders should use their
judgement on whether or not this is necessary. If for example an individual has
injured a finger which may need to be x-rayed, it may seem reasonable for them to
walk unaccompanied to Accident & Emergency from Lord Mayor’s Walk. However,
two patients may react differently to the same sort of injury and if you have any doubt
about an individual’s safety in going to hospital unaided you should accompany them.
If necessary, a taxi can be called for this purpose and the expenses claimed back
from the Health, Safety & Risk Officer. Once they have been booked in at Accident &
Emergency there is no need for you to stay with the patient – you have performed
your role as required.
However if a patient is taken to hospital by ambulance there is no need for a First
Aider to accompany them. The Paramedics have full care of the individual.
Should next of kin be advised that first aid treatment has been provided?
If an individual who has received First Aid is being sent to Accident & Emergency or
being sent home as a result of accident or ill health it is reasonable to ask them if
they wish for the University to contact a family member or next of kin on their behalf.
Clearly however this should be the choice of the individual concerned as they
(whether a member of staff, student or visitor) may not wish for such contact to be
made.
We do however have a duty of care in such matters, and if someone has a serious
injury or is not in a condition to clearly state their wishes it is reasonable for university
management to make a decision on their behalf. The following individuals have a
responsibility to undertake this by attempting to contact the individual’s next of kin or
family;
In the event of an accident to a;
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Member of Staff – the Director of HR (or their Deputy),
Member of the student community – the Director of Student Services (or their
Deputy),
Can a First Aider give an aspirin to a member of staff with a headache?
No. No medication of any kind may be administered or prescribed by First Aiders e.g.
aspirins, paracetamol, sprays or creams. No First Aider or Appointed Person is
trained to administer such items and they must never be held in the First Aid Boxes.
Over the counter medicines e.g. Pain Killers are available for sale at the Students
Union and Crush Bar Shop. Individuals can also be directed to the nearest chemist or
to their own GP.
Epipens
Some individuals carry their own medication such as inhalers for asthma or ‘Epipens’
which contain injectable adrenaline for the treatment of severe allergic (anaphylactic)
reactions, for example to peanuts. These medications are prescribed by a doctor. If
an individual needs to take their own prescribed medication, the role of the First Aider
role is limited to helping them do so and contacting the emergency services as
appropriate.
Medicines legislation restricts the administration of injectable medicines. Unless self
administered, they may only be administered by or in accordance with the
instructions of a doctor (eg by a nurse). However, in the case of adrenaline there is
an exemption to this restriction which means in an emergency, a suitably trained lay
person is permitted to administer it by injection for the purpose of saving life. The use
of an Epipen to treat anaphylactic shock also falls into this category. Therefore, First
Aiders may administer an Epipen;
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if they are dealing with a life threatening emergency in a casualty who has
been prescribed and is in possession of an Epipen and
where the first aider is trained to use it.
What First Aid Equipment & Facilities are provided?
A standard 10 Person First Aid kit is made available for the use of all First Aiders
(and in addition many Departments and Faculties also hold their own First Aid
Boxes). The contents of the box or kit must be in accordance with the Health and
Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981.
The University does not have a dedicated first aid room and does not support the use
of a Rest or Recovery Room which would present difficulties of monitoring and
supervision of any individual receiving or awaiting care.
Portable First Aid Kits - What equipment should be contained in a portable first
aid kit?
The Standard University First Aid Kits are 10 Person Kits kept in an easily identifiable
(green with a white cross), watertight box. All First Aid Kits must have the contents
card overleaf;
FIRST AID BOXES AND KIT CONTENTS
First Aid Boxes should contain a sufficient quantity of suitable first aid material and
nothing else.
 Please replenish items as soon as possible after use,
 Please ensure items are not used after the expiry date,
 Please check the contents frequently to ensure that all items are stocked &
usable.
Most University First Aid boxes are Standard 10 Person kits & must contain the following:
Product
Quantity
Code with St John
Ambulance
First Aid in an Emergency Booklet
1
P20229K
Assorted Waterproof Plasters pack of 10
2
F10760
Eyepad – No 16
2
F90105
Triangular Bandage (90x90x127)
4
F11603
Safety Pins (Pack of 6)
1
F12700
HSE Medium Dressing (12x12)
6
F90106
HSE Large Dressing (18X18)
2
F90107
Cleansing Wipes (Pack of 6)
6
F11500
Nitrile Powder Free Gloves
3
F12634
Additional Items to add to Standard 10 Kits
Following feedback received the following items have been added to the Standard List.
Product
Quantity
Code with St John
Ambulance
Blue Dot Resuscitation Face shields
1
F79168
Eyewash vials 20ml
2
If you require replacement items please contact David Peacock in Stores Ext 6646. If
you would like other stock items for your First Aid Kits please contact Neil Rogers Health,
Safety & Risk Officer n.rogers@yorksj.ac.uk or Ext 6613 Dec 2006
Are there other First Aid Kits
Yes, additional, comprehensive First Aid Kits (Sports or Sports Extra kits) are located
at;
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The All Weather Pitch Portacabin Hull Road,
Hull Road Sports Pavilion,
Foss Sports Hall (the smaller store cupboard by Reception),
Security Office at Lord Mayor’s Walk.
These are of course available for the use of all First Aiders
Should first aid equipment be discarded if it is beyond its expiry date?
Although most first aid supplies (dressings, etc) will not deteriorate greatly, it is
prudent to dispose of and replace items that go out of date. In addition all items
should be disposed of if the seal has been broken.
How are First Aid materials replaced?
First Aiders and Appointed Persons must replace used supplies and those which
have gone out of date by contacting David Peacock Stores Assistant in Facilities (Ext
6646) who will order and deliver the items required. All First Aid items are supplied
on the University Health & Safety budget. If you have any queries about First Aid
items please contact Neil Rogers the Health, Safety & Risk Officer .
Who organises first aid training?
All First Aid Training is organised through Neil Rogers. The main training providers
that the University uses are First on Scene http://www.firstonscene.co.uk and St John’s
Ambulance http://www.sja.org.uk/training/default.asp who run their courses at their
training centre at Clifton Moor, York.