First Aid Policy

First Aid Policy

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First Aid Policy

Introduction  

The Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981 require employers to provide trained  persons, equipment etc, to deal with First Aid emergencies and ill health occurring at work.  This policy outlines the Co-operative Academy of Leeds responsibility to provide adequate  and appropriate first aid to pupils, staff, parents and visitors and the procedures in place to  meet that responsibility. This document should be read in conjunction with the Health and  Safety Policy and Medical Treatment Policy  

The Academy recognises that First Aid can save lives and prevent minor injuries becoming  major ones. This document has been prepared to provide guidance on the policy and  procedures for dealing with First Aid at the Co-op Academy Leeds. The requirements for the  statutory provision of First Aid have been taken fully into account to ensure that adequate  and appropriate equipment, facilities and qualified first aid personnel will be provided.  Failure to implement the procedures contained in this document could result in a criminal  offence as well as disciplinary action being taken by the Academy. This policy is informed by  the Department for Education’s Guidance on First Aid for Schools and is reviewed annually.  

Aims  

• To identify the first aid needs of the Academy in line with the Management of Health and  Safety at Work Regulations 1992 and 1999.  

• To ensure that First Aid provision is available at all times while people are on Academy  premises, and also off the premises whilst on Academy visits.  

Objectives  

• To appoint the appropriate number of suitably trained people as Appointed Persons and  First Aiders to meet the needs of the Academy.  

• To provide relevant training and ensure monitoring of training needs  • To provide sufficient and appropriate resources and facilities  

• To inform staff and parents of the Academy’s First Aid arrangements  • To keep accident records and to report to the HSE as required under the Reporting of  Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995.  

Academy First Aid Staff

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Personnel  

The Principal  

The Principal is responsible for the Health and Safety of all employees and anyone else on  the premises. This includes the teachers, support staff, students and visitors (including  contractors).  

They must ensure that a risk assessment of the Academy is undertaken regularly and that  the appointments, training and resources for first aid arrangements are appropriate and in  place.  

They should ensure that the insurance arrangements provide full cover for claims arising  from actions of staff acting within the scope of their employ.  

The Principal is responsible for putting the policy into practice and for developing detailed  procedures.  

The Principal should ensure that the policy and information on the Academy’s arrangements  for first aid are made available to parents.  

All teachers and other staff are expected to do all they can to secure the welfare of the  students.  

First Aiders  

Definitions  

A First Aider is a person who has attended, successfully completed and has a valid certificate  for the three day ‘First Aid at Work’ training course approved by the HSE. First Aid is included  in the job description for a number of designated posts in school; these include pastoral and  admin staff.  

First Aid means the following:  

• 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 do not need  treatment by a medical practitioner or nurse.  

Identification of Suitable Employees  

In selecting First-Aiders, the Principal should consider the person’s:

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• Reliability and communication skills  

• Aptitude and ability to absorb new knowledge and learn new skills  • Ability to cope with stressful and physically demanding emergency procedures  • Normal duties. A First Aider must be able to leave to go immediately to an emergency  

The Principal must ensure that candidates are fully briefed on the role and requirements of  being a First Aider. They must understand the health risks associated with rendering First  Aid and be prepared to receive appropriate health and immunisation advice.  

Role and Responsibilities of First Aiders  

The First Aider’s and Appointed Person’s role includes:  

• Takes charge when someone is injured or becomes ill;  

• Looks after the first-aid equipment e.g. restocking the first-aid container;  • Ensures that an ambulance or other professional medical help is summoned when  appropriate;  

• The administration of First Aid, up to but not exceeding the level of their training;  • Ensuring that any incident and treatment given is recorded in a suitable local register;  • Reporting immediately to the Principal and the designated health and safety officer,  

by telephone, all incidents requiring the attendance of a student, member of staff or  any person at hospital;  

• Ensuring that all spillages of body fluids are cleared up promptly;  • Maintaining stocks in First Aid kit/box (see appendix B) and;  

• Ensuring, in liaison with management that appropriate documentation is completed  and that reportable accidents are reported to the designated health and safety officer  as soon as possible after dealing with the immediate effects.  

The First Aider’s responsibilities include:  

• Attending an initial approved training course approved by the Health and Safety  Executive (HSE);  

• Ensuring their own recommended immunisations/injections are up to date and;  • Reporting any illness or injuries (to the Health and Safety Officer and Principal) which  would preclude their abilities to administer First Aid, in order for the Academy to arrange  alternative cover;  

• First Aiders also have a responsibility to attend a three yearly refresher training course.  (They should attend this course before the expiry of their previous accreditation or they  will have to complete the initial training course again).  

First Aid should be provided where a person will need further medical treatment until such help  arrives, and for the treatment of minor injuries. It should be noted that the treatment of minor  illnesses, by the administration of tablets or medicines, falls outside the definition of First Aid.  (See Medical Treatment Policy)  

The role of the First Aider is to provide care after an accident or injury including preserving  life, minimising further damage and making the patient as comfortable as possible until  professional medical or nursing help is available.

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The role of a member of staff discovering a serious injury or illness is to make contact with  the student reception and, when necessary, take charge until qualified assistance is  available.  

Student reception will then contact a first aid qualified person and may also contact the  emergency services. If the emergency services are contacted the designated health and  safety officer must be informed.  

The First Aider will decide on whether or not the ill or injured party should move, be moved,  or remain undisturbed, and may have to take other appropriate action, depending on the  assessment of the situation.  

In the case of a serious incident, available staff should also seek to ensure the safety and  welfare of other pupils in the area.  

PPE is still provided for First Aiders when dealing with incidents.  

COVID-19

CPR as normal, however using the resusi aids included in the First Aid Kits Indemnity and Insurance  

Where an employee acting in the course of their employment administers First Aid assistance  to another employee or other person in the charge of the Academy, such as a student, they  will be indemnified by the liability insurance for a claim of negligence relating to injury or loss  caused by their actions, provided that:  

• They are an Academy officially designated First Aider with a current valid First Aid at  Work Certificate and have attended relevant refresher training;  

• The relevant protective equipment (PPE) is used;  

• The First Aider is adhering to protocols and acting within the limitations of their training  and the First Aider is acting in good faith.  

Use of the Auto Adrenaline Injectors (AAIs)

Members of staff who have been trained in the use of the AAIs whether by a parent, user or  medical staff, will also be covered provided that:  

• The member of staff is adhering to protocols and acting within the limitations of their  training and;  

• That the member of staff is acting in good faith.  

Procedures  

Risk assessment  

Reviews are required to be carried out at least annually by the designated Health and Safety  officer, and when circumstances alter, at the request of the Principal. Recommendations on  measures needed to prevent or control identified risks are forwarded to the Principal.

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Re-assessment of First-Aid provision  

As part of the Academy’s annual monitoring and evaluation cycle:  

• The Principal reviews the Academy’s first-aid needs following any changes to staff,  building/site, activities, off-site facilities, etc.;  

• The designated Health and Safety Officer monitors the number of trained First Aiders,  alerts them to the need for refresher courses and organises their training sessions;  • The designated Health and Safety Officer also monitors the emergency first-aid training  received by other staff and organises appropriate training;  

• The designated First Aider checks the contents of the First-Aid boxes termly/when items  have been used they must be replaced as soon as possible.  

Providing information  

The Principal will inform all staff (including those with reading and language difficulties) of the  first-aid arrangements, including the location of equipment, facilities and first-aid personnel,  and the procedures for monitoring and reviewing the Academy's first-aid needs.  

The Health and Safety Officer:  

• Provides information packs for new staff as part of their induction programme;  • Gives all staff information on the location of equipment, facilities and first-aid personnel.  

Provision  

How many First aid personnel are required?  

The Principal will consider the findings of the risk assessment in deciding on the number of  first aid personnel required. Academies are low risk environments, but the Principal will  consider the needs of specific times, places and activities in deciding on their provision.  

In particular, they should consider:  

• Off-site PE;  

• Academy trips;  

• Science labs;  

• DT/Art rooms;  

• Adequate provision in case of absence, including trips;

• Out-of-hours provision e.g. clubs, events.  

Arrangements should be made to ensure that the required level of First Aid cover is available  at all times when people are on Academy premises.  

Qualifications and Training  

First Aiders will hold a valid certificate of competence, issued by an organisation approved  by the HSE.  

Specialist training in first aid for children should be arranged in a three-year cycle.  First-aid materials, equipment and facilities

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The Principal must ensure that the appropriate number of first aid containers according to  the risk assessment of the site, are available. See HSE guidelines on recommended and  mandatory contents.  

• All first aid containers must be marked with a white cross on a green background;  • Each Academy bus must carry a first aid container;  

• First aid containers must accompany PE teachers off-site;  

First aid containers should be kept near to hand washing facilities and can be found in the  following areas:  

• Science prep room;  

• Food Technology;  

• Technology;  

• Main Reception;  

• PE Department;  

• Library  

• Medical room  

First Aid Containers  

A schedule showing the locations of first aid containers will be made available. The designated  First Aider will check all containers each month. All First Aiders are provided with their own  first aid box and will ensure that is replenished and any used items replaced as soon as  possible.  

Items will be discarded safely after the expiry date has passed.  

Responsibility for checking and restocking the first aid containers:  

• In the Academy, the designated first aiders have their own container and should  replenish as soon as possible when stock is used and will also check for out of date  stock.

• For off-site PE, a named member of the PE department  

• On minibus, Health & Safety Officer.  

Accommodation  

The Principal must provide a suitable room for medical treatment and care of children during  Academy hours. This need not be a dedicated area but should be close to a lavatory and  contain a washbasin.  

Control of Infection

Many blood-borne micro-organisms have the capacity to infect a first aider should blood from  an already infected casualty enter an open wound or sore on the person of the first aider, for  example Hepatitis.

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The HIV virus is not readily transmitted in this way and only a small number of cases of cross  infection are documented in health care circles, usually involving heavily infected patients in  the latter stages of their condition.  

However, the emergence of HIV/AIDS has served to concentrate attention on sensible and  routine protective measures which should always be employed during the treatment of  bleeding wounds, regardless of the health or otherwise of the casualty.  

As it is impossible to be sure of who is, or is not, infected with these viruses the following  precautions should be taken by first aiders:  

• Treat all casualties as if they are carriers of a virus;  

• Always cover open wounds on your own hands with a waterproof adhesive dressing;  • Where practical, a pair of disposable gloves (latex or nitrile) should be worn when  dealing with bleeding or when cleaning up body fluids or excreta;  

• All used gloves, waste dressings and other contaminated waste should be placed in a  plastic bag for disposal (see later);  

• Any blood splashes on the skin should be washed off with soap and water;  • If a cut or puncture wound by a needle is sustained, let the wound bleed, squeeze it  gently but do not suck it. Wash the area in cold running water and apply a sterile  dressing. Report the incident and seek medical advice immediately;  

• The HIV virus has only occasionally been found in saliva and in very small quantities  when compared with blood. No HIV infection is known to have occurred as a result of  carrying out mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. Therefore, the risk to the first aider is thought  to be extremely small and should not discourage a prompt response in a life-saving  emergency. A protective resuscitation aid can be used where available and this may be  kept in first aid kits;  

• Never re-use disposable equipment or use to treat more than one casualty.  Dealing with Blood and Body Fluid Spills  

Spillages of blood, vomit, urine and excreta should be cleaned up promptly. The following  general actions must be taken by the person dealing with the spill:  

• Clear the immediate area of people. Hazard signs and cordoning may be necessary,  according to the circumstances;  

• Disposable personal protective equipment (PPE), including gloves (latex or nitrile) or  equivalent and a disposable plastic apron must be worn;

• Any spilt blood or other body fluids should be cleaned up, either with disposable  absorbent paper towels or with an appropriate sanitizing product.  

Injuries and accidents that occur during non-contact and break times should be dealt with in  a similar way by the Duty First Aider.  

No student should be left unattended in the Medical Room.  

In more serious cases, where hospital attention is deemed necessary an ambulance will be  called and the parent/carer contacted by Student/ Main Reception:  

• In the absence of a parent/carer, a member of staff must accompany the student to the  hospital and remain there until the parent/carer arrives;  

• If a parent/carer cannot be contacted, the Academy will act in loco parentis and give  permission for any emergency treatment.

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Procedures for First Aid Staff  

First Aid should only be administered in response to an immediate and serious medical  problem.  

First Aid staff are not allowed to administer any medication or cream without parental  consent.  

No treatment or procedure should be attempted for which formal training has not been  undertaken.  

All head injuries must be reported and referred on to the nearest casualty department.  Parents of students who have received first aid must be advised at the earliest opportunity of  the incident, the injury and the action taken.  

If the incident is serious and requires the injured party to be taken to hospital, 999 should be  called and an ambulance asked for. If the answer is that a clinician will call back within a  certain timeframe, consider calling the next of kin to transport to the nearest A & E  department.

Payment for First Aiders  

An allowance will be paid to all First Aiders who have a valid current First Aid Certificate.  This payment is an acknowledgement of the individual’s training and commitment and is paid  in accordance with the current First Aid at Work Policy.  

This payment will be stopped if the First Aider:  

• chooses not to continue as a First Aider, or  

• on attendance at the refresher course is found not to be competent, or  • allows their certificate to lapse, or  

• relocates to a unit/establishment which already has sufficient First Aiders, or leaves the  organisation.  

At the Principal’s discretion, the allowance may be stopped or suspended if the First Aider is  likely to be away from the work base for a considerable period of time, e.g. long term  sickness, home working, maternity leave, unpaid leave etc.  

Monitoring, Evaluation and Review  

The Governing Body will review this policy at least every two years and assess its  implementation and effectiveness. The policy will be promoted and implemented throughout  the Academy.  

Appendix 1  

FIRST AID INFORMATION  

The following members of staff hold HSE approved First Aid at Work Certificates and can be  used in an emergency.

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If an ambulance is needed dial 999

Statutory Training  

First Aid at Work  

This is the principal First Aid course, which covers a wide range of situations from low to high  risk. On successfully undertaking training and passing a written and practical assessment,  the person will be issued with a First Aid at Work Certificate valid for three years. This  qualification is renewable within the valid time of the certificate. Once the certificate date has  expired the person will need to attend the full First Aid at Work course.  

First Aid at Work Requalification

This training re-qualifies holders of a First Aid at Work Certificate providing they pass their  practical assessment. Those who wish to renew their certificate must do so before the three year expiry date, ideally 2 years 10 months. This course takes place over two days (12 hours  tuition).  

Statutory Training  

Refresher Training (update in First Aid skills)  

This is additional training to ensure that practical skills are maintained and is not an  alternative to statutory training. This training should be carried out annually by all designated  First Aiders and Appointed Persons. This course takes place over 4 hours.  

First Aid Equipment  

A minimum of one First Aid box of appropriate size should be provided for each  establishment and/or building and any Academy vehicle. Passenger carrying vehicles (PCV)  and minibuses must carry First Aid kits that comply with PCV and Minibus Regulations. Each  First Aider should have their own First Aid kit for rapid access in an emergency situation.

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All First Aid kits/boxes should be identified by a white cross on a green background and  contain the following minimum items:  

• a leaflet on general first aid 

• medium sterile dressings (12cm x 12cm) 

• large sterile dressings (18cm x 18cm) 

• assorted plasters (relevant for the work area) 

• triangular bandage (90cm x 127cm) 

• safety pins (assorted) 

• sterile eye pads 

• disposable gloves

Other useful items you may wish to include could be:

• saline cleansing wipes 

• roll of adhesive tape 

• sterile adhesive dressing/s 

• resuscitation face shield with valve 

Quantities should be decided upon in the light of risk assessment, taking into account the  number of staff and students.  

There must be no medication of any kind, for example aspirin, paracetamol, antiseptic  creams, etc within the First Aid kit/box, and administration of medication in a First Aid  situation is not part of the First Aider’s role.  

The reasoning behind this is:  

• In the case of tablets you may not know if any medication has previously been taken or,  if it has, what dosage and when. This being the case, your ‘prescription’ may adversely  affect any further treatment or surgery that may later be required  

• If the wrong cream were used for the wrong injury, or used inappropriately, there may be  serious scarring and long term discomfort for the casualty. There may also be the  chance of an adverse allergic reaction  

Since first aid containers are available to anyone who wishes to use them, the possibility of  the problems highlighted above occurring is quite high.  

The provision of plasters, contrary to popular belief, is fine. Most people will know if they are  allergic to plasters and will ask for alternatives to be used.  

Bleach (Sodium Hypochlorite), or one of the available proprietary combined soak and  disinfectant products, should be available in the workplace for cleaning up spillages of body  fluids, but should not be located with, or in, the First Aid box. Clinical disposal bags should  also be provided. MITIE will provide this.

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Appendix 2  

ACCIDENT OR DANGEROUS OCCURRENCE REPORT FORM  This form must be completed by the person in charge - not the injured party.  

Details of Injured Party 

Name _____________________________________(Payroll No.) _____________  Address___________________________________________________________  __________________________________________________________________  Post Code _____________ Telephone No. ______________Date of Birth_________  

Job Title (or public / client / student)_______________________________________  Department _________________________ Section __________________________  

Accident / Aggression / Dangerous Occurrence Details 

Date ___________________ Time _______________ hrs  Address accident occurred  

___________________________________________________________________  ___________________________________________________________________  Date Reported ___________ Reported To _____________________________ How  Did Accident / Aggression / Dangerous Occurrence Happen?

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___________________________________________________________________  ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________

Nature and Location of Injuries  

___________________________________________________________________  ___________________________________________________________________  ___________________________________________________________________  

Did the injured party attend hospital? Yes/No  

How did they reach hospital? _______________________________________________  

Were they detained in hospital? Yes/No  

Name of first aider _______________________________________________________  Nature of first aid ________________________________________________________  Has there been time lost at work as a result of this accident? Yes/No  

If so, how many days? _______________  

Is the injured party carrying out normal duties?  

____________________________________________  

Was protective equipment in use? __________________________________________  Name of Line Manager or Equivalent ________________________________________  Designation________________________________  

Name of Witness / Aggressor  

_______________________________________________________________  Address ________________________________________________________  Name of Witness / Aggressor _______________________________________  Address ________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________  

Line Managers / Teacher / Duty Officer’s Comments in Regard to the Accident \ Aggression \ Dangerous Occurrence  

___________________________________________________________________  ___________________________________________________________________  ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________

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___________________________________________________________________  ___________________________________________________________________  ___________________________________________________________________

Any Remedial Action Taken

___________________________________________________________________  ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________  

Initial box if incident is reportable under RIDDOR  

Signature of Line Manager / Teacher / Duty Officer____________________________  Print Name _____________________________________________________________  

Appendix 3  

USEFUL CONTACTS  

British Red Cross  

9 Grosvenor Crescent  

London SW1X 7EJ  

Tel: 0171-235 5454  

Child Accident Prevention Trust  

Clerks Court 18-20 Farringdon Lane  

London EC1R 3AU  

Tel: 0171-608 3828  

CLEAPPS School Science Service  

Brunel University  

Uxbridge  

UB8 3PH  

Tel: 01895 251496  

Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents  

(ROSPA)  

Edgbaston Park  

353 Bristol Road  

Birmingham B5 7ST  

Tel: 0121-248 2000  

Department of Health  

Wellington House  

133-155 Waterloo Road  

London SE1 8UG  

Tel: 0171-972 2000

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Health and Safety Executive  

HSE First Aid Applications and Monitoring Section  

Quay House  

Quay Street  

Manchester M3 3JB  

Tel: 0161-952 8276  

HSE Infoline  

Tel: 0541  

545500 or write  

to:  

HSE Information Centre  

Broad Lane  

Sheffield S3 7HQ  

Department for Education  

Sanctuary Buildings  

Great Smith Street  

Westminster  

London SW1P 3BT  

Tel: 0171-925 5000  

St John Ambulance  

1 Grosvenor Crescent  

London SW1X 7EF  

References  

“Supporting Pupils with Medical Needs: a good practice guide”, DCSF/Department of Health  DCSF Circular 14/96 “Supporting Pupils with Medical Needs in School”  Useful contacts (Appendix 3)  

Approval  

Adopted by Co-op Academy Leeds .....................................................  Chair of Academy Trust Board ..................................................................................  Principal ……………………………………………………………………….  Review date …………………………………………………………………….

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