Issue Date: Feb 2015
First Aid
Introduction
Alpha Plus Group has developed the First Aid section and procedures for the protection
of all persons using the nursery/school/college under their control including employees,
pupils/students, parents and visitors.
First Aid can be defined as “the initial assistance or treatment given to a casualty for any
injury or sudden illness before the arrival of an ambulance, doctor or other qualified
person”.
In providing First Aid facilities, Alpha Plus Group not only complies with their statutory
duties but also helps prevent deterioration of injuries, which in extreme cases, may
result in death among employees.
Policy
This aims to set out the organisations commitment to provide adequate and appropriate
equipment, facilities and personnel to enable first aid to be given to employees if they
are injured or become ill at work in order to comply with The Health and Safety (FirstAid) Regulations 1981.
It is company policy that at each nursery/school/college there will be:
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adequate provision of First Aid trained employees and Emergency First Aid
trained employees;
adequate provision of First Aid equipment to enable First Aiders to carry out their
function effectively;
adequate provision of First Aid facilities to enable First Aiders to carry out their
function effectively.
This will be achieved by the involvement of all levels of staff from senior management to
those staff with client facing roles.
Provision of First Aid Personnel
It is difficult to lay down any precise ratio of First Aiders and Emergency First Aiders
(previously known as Appointed Persons) to employees which can be adopted in all
cases. All relevant factors need to be taken into account. These include the distribution
of employees within the nursery/school/college, the nature of the work, the size and
location of the facility, whether there is shift working and the distance from outside
medical services, as well as the number of employees. First aiders will be determined
via the risk assessment process.
Definitions
A ‘designated First Aider’ is one who has been trained by, and holds a current First Aid
certificate issued by an organisation whose training and qualifications are in line with the
Health and Safety Executive’s requirements. There is no longer an obligation on first
aid training providers being accredited by the Health & Safety Executive. The
designated First Aider is required to render First Aid in the event of an injury or illness.
An ‘Emergency First Aider” is one who is appointed to take charge of the situation in the
absence, in temporary or exceptional circumstances, of the designated First Aider.
The main aspect of the work of the Emergency First Aider is to follow the procedures
which are laid down within the facility.
He/she should be familiar with the leaflet in the First Aid box.
First Aid Training Requirements
First Aiders
An employee who is to be appointed as a First Aider must first undergo a sufficient
training course by a reputable provider. Certification is subject to the employee passing
an examination on completion of the course. (3 days)
The qualification is valid for three years, therefore the First Aider must receive refresher
training and re-qualify before the three years expires. (2 day course)
Emergency First Aider
An employee who is to be nominated as the Emergency First Aider to deputise for a
First Aider must undergo a one day emergency/basic certificate training course. This
qualification is valid for three years, therefore the Appointed person must receive
refresher training before the three years expires.
Records of First Aiders and Emergency First Aider
A list of designated First Aiders and Emergency First Aider must be kept. Information
retained shall include the name, places covered, date and issuing authority of the
certificate held. The School Head/College Principal should ensure that the required
refresher training is carried out prior to expiry of certification.
First Aid Equipment and Facilities
In all premises, First Aid provision should be readily available to each employee at all
times. The equipment and facilities to be provided will vary according to circumstances
from a small travelling First Aid kit to a First Aid room. All premises will need at least
one First Aid box. Each box should be placed in a clearly identified and readily
accessible location. The First Aider or Emergency First Aider is responsible for restocking the First Aid box after use.
First Aid boxes should be made of suitable material designed to protect the contents
from damp and dust and should be clearly identified as First Aid containers. The
marking used should be a white cross on a green background in accordance with the
Safety Signs and Signals Regulations 1996.
First Aid Boxes should contain only the following items in the quantities indicated in the
table overleaf. No drugs e.g. Paracetamol, Aspirin etc. should be kept in the box
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Leaflets giving general guidance on First Aid
Individually wrapped sterile adhesive dressings - assorted sizes
Sterile eye pad with attachment (e.g. Standard Dressing No. 16 BPC)
Triangular bandages (sterile if possible)
Safety pins
A selection of individually wrapped sterile un-medicated wound dressings including at
least the following: Medium sized sterile un-medicated dressings (approx. 10 x 8 cm. e.g. Standard
Dressing Nos. 8 and 13 BPC)
 Large sized sterile un-medicated dressings (approx. 13 x 9 cm. e.g. Standard
Dressing Nos. 9 and 14 BPC and the Ambulance Dressing No. 1)
 Extra large sized sterile un-medicated dressings (approx. 28 x 17.5 cm. e.g.
Ambulance Dressing No. 3)
Where there is a foreseeable risk of eye injuries and where tap water is not readily
available nearby, suitable quantities of sterile water or sterile normal saline in
disposable containers each holding at least 300 ml. should be kept easily accessible,
and near to the First Aid box, for eye irrigation.
At least the numbers of each item shown in the table below should be provided. It
should be noted that these quantities are based on one box per appropriate number of
persons.
The First Aider/ Emergency First Aider should check that these levels are maintained by
carrying out formal 6 monthly inspections and recording same. Any shortfall in stock
must be reported and items replenished in accordance with departmental procedures.
Contents of First Aid Boxes
Item
Numbers of Employees
1-5
6-10
11-50
Guidance card/First Aid Leaflet
Individually wrapped sterile
adhesive dressings
Sterile eye pads, with
attachment
Triangular bandages
Sterile coverings for serious
wounds (where applicable)
Safety pins
Medium sized sterile unmedicated dressings
Large sterile un-medicated
dressings
Extra large sterile unmedicated dressings
Sterile water or saline in
disposable containers (where
tap water is not readily
available)
51-100
101-150
1
1
1
1
1
10
20
40
40
40
1
2
4
6
8
1
2
4
6
8
1
2
4
6
8
6
6
12
12
12
3
6
8
10
12
1
2
4
6
10
1
2
4
6
8
1
1
3
6
6
Disposable plastic gloves and aprons and suitable protective equipment should be kept
in or near the First Aid box. These should be properly stored and checked regularly to
ensure that they remain in good condition.
Blunt-ended steel scissors (minimum length 12.70 cm) should be kept where there is a
possibility that clothing might have to be cut away. These should be kept along with
items of protective clothing and equipment.
Plastic disposable bags for soiled or used First Aid dressings must be available and be
used. In line with current First Aid training, the use of resuscitation aids should be
considered as good practice and should therefore be available.
Recording of First Aid Treatments
The First Aider or Appointed person will be responsible for ensuring that all First Aid
treatment, no matter how minor is recorded using the Accident Reporting process and
that records of accidents are kept.
The designated First Aider and Emergency First Aider should be aware of the accident
reporting requirements.
First Aid Rooms
First Aid rooms, where provided, should be identified locally. They should be large
enough to hold a couch and the door of the room wide enough to accommodate a
stretcher, wheelchair, carrying chair or emergency trolley. Facilities, kept clean and
properly maintained, should be provided nearby where employees can await treatment.
In the room itself all surfaces should be easy to clean and the room cleaned daily.
There should be effective heating, lighting and ventilation which should be adequately
maintained.
The facilities and equipment which should be provided in rooms designated as First Aid
rooms are as follows:
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sink with running hot and cold water
drinking water (if not available on mains tap) and disposable cups
paper towels
smooth topped working surfaces
a range of First Aid equipment (at least to standard required in First Aid boxes)
chair
couch (with waterproof cover), pillow and blankets
suitable storage facilities for First Aid materials
soap
clean protective garments for First Aiders
suitable refuse container lined with disposable plastic bags
an appropriate treatment record keeping facility
The room should be used solely for First Aid treatment.
The room should be clearly marked as a First Aid room by means of a sign complying
with the Safety Signs and Signals Regulations 1996 and an approved sign should be
displayed on the door clearly showing the names, and locations of First Aiders.
In situations where specialised First Aid equipment is required at the workplace, this
may be kept in the First Aid room as appropriate. As with First Aid boxes and travelling
First Aid kits, a nominated First Aider or Emergency First Aider must maintain the First
Aid room stock to the required levels.
The First Aid room must always be ready for immediate use.
Supplementary equipment
This may include suitable means for the transportation of casualties; blankets;
disposable plastic gloves (for protection against blood, etc.), aprons and other suitable
protective equipment and blunt ended stainless steel scissors (minimum length
12.70cm). Where such equipment is considered necessary it should be stored in the
vicinity of the First Aid boxes.
Departments should also consider the provision of plastic disposable bags which are
labelled biohazard for the safe collection and disposal of soiled dressings.
Provision of First Aid Training
First Aid training requirements will be assessed and training arranged by the School
Head/College Principal. A register of First Aid personnel and their locations will be held.
The register should also identify expiry dates for certificates in order that refresher
training can be arranged prior to expiry dates.
First Aiders and Emergency First Aider should be asked to notify their School
Head/College Principal no later than 12 weeks before the expiry date of their current
First Aid certificate in order to ensure that there is adequate time for re-certification
courses to be arranged.
Provision of Information to Employees
Staff must be informed of the arrangements which have been made for the provision of
First Aid, including the locations of equipment, facilities and personnel.
An approved notice should be posted in a prominent position and should be updated as
necessary. This gives the location of First Aid equipment and facilities and the name(s)
and the location(s) of First Aiders.
Roles & Responsibilities
Alpha Plus Group
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What needs to be done, when and how?
Sufficient provisions made that each unit has adequate and appropriate
equipment, facilities and personnel to enable first aid to be given to
employees if they are injured or become ill at work.
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Need to know
That each unit has appropriate number of suitably trained First Aiders on site
at all times.
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Monitoring & Reporting
Each unit must have a register of all First Aiders with details of their location
and expiry of their First Aid Certificate.
School Heads/College Principals
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What needs to be done, when and how?
Ensure that, within their Nursery/school/college, there are adequate
provisions for First Aid including personnel, facilities and equipment.
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Need to know
The First Aid requirements for their facility.
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Monitoring & Reporting
Ensure there are procedures in place to ensure that all employees that are
administering First Aid have a valid First Aid Certificate.
Employees
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What needs done when and how?
First Aid trained and Appointed Person trained employees carry out their
function in accordance with the training they have received.
Employees contact First Aiders immediately if any employee becomes ill or
sustains an injury whilst at work.
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Need to know
How to contact a First Aider.
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Monitoring & Reporting
Employees are required to report any accidents and/or near miss incidents.