First Aid

Remember first aiders are generally required in an emergency situation. Ensure you know who your local first aiders are and how to contact them. First Aid assistance is also available from the Control Hub by contacting extension 2222 or using a red emergency telephone.

Current First Aiders

To find a list of First Aiders in your area click on the following link: First Aid Personnel

Role of First Aid Personnel

The principal role of a first aider is to:

Take charge of the incident they are called to.
Provide immediate treatment to the casualty.
Provide continuing care to the casualty until they fully recover or the emergency services arrive.

On occasions a first aider may need further advice or guidance after administering first aid treatment, e.g. the casualty has recovered satisfactorily from a faint or epileptic seizure. In the first instance they should contact the Occupational Health Department.

First Aiders are responsible in ensuring the first aid personnel are listed in their area. First Aiders Sign

Calling for an ambulance

In the event of a life-threatening situation an ambulance must be called immediately. The first aider may deem it necessary for a casualty to be sent to hospital for further assessment and / or treatment. In such situations the first aider will ensure an ambulance is summoned and continue first aid treatment as necessary.

Summoning Emergency Assistance

If you are in any doubt as to the seriousnes of someones injuries and you feel an ambulance is required then telephone the emergency services on 999 from an internal phone or 999 from an external phone.

Once you have telephoned for an ambulance, if possible, contact the control hub on 2222 in order for them to direct the ambulance once it arrives on campus.

If you do not have a telephone available then leave the casualty in order to summon help. Emergency assistance is also available by using the nearest red emergency telephone which connects directly to the control hub.

Emergency First Aid Guidance

How to become a First Aider

To become a trained first aider at work a 3-day First Aid at Work training course must be undertaken. A certificate is gained following successful completion of the training course, including a short theory and practical examination.

The first aid at work certificate is valid for 3 years when a 2 day refresher course is undertaken. This training is undertaken by external organisations approved by the Health and Safety Executive.

It is always useful to have first aid skills. An incident could happen anywhere, at any time, in which those trained in first aid skills can play an important part. Staff who are interested in becoming a qualified first aider, or who already hold a valid first aid qualification (e.g. gained during previous employment), should contact the Occupational Health Department.

Re-Qualifying First Aiders

If a qualified first aider is known to the Occupational Health Department they will be contacted prior to their first aid at work certificate expiring with possible course dates for when they are able to re-qualify.

Additional First Aid Training

During the intervening periods of your statutory qualification and re-qualification training, the Occupational Health Department provides the refresher sessions to support first aiders. The refresher sessions covers the following:

Basic life support
Epilepsy
Diabetes
Burns
Bleeding

First Aid Supplies NEW INFO

From December 31st 2011 UK companies have to either convert their "OLD HSE First Aid Kits" to "NEW HSE First Aid Kits" or top up their old ones with the new equipment so that they meet the new British Standard - BS8599-1. Based on your local risk assessment first aiders may prefer to order alternative supplies which could include blunt ended scissors, adhesive tape (to be used instead of safety pins) and single irrigation eye wash capsules. These have been added to the First Aid Supplies Request Form. This list is not exhaustive - for more information on this topic go to: HSE First Aid but ensure that if you order anything listed that your First Aid at Work training has covered the use of the item in question.

First Aiders will ensure supplies in first aid boxes are well stocked. Should any items need replenishing further supplies can be obtained by completing the First Aid Supplies Request Form. Completed forms must be forwarded to the Occupational Health Department.

Assessing First Aid provision

The University has a legal duty to ensure there are adequate numbers of qualified first aid personnel and adequate provision of first aid supplies at all locations under its control.

The following factors are taken into account:

The types of activities taking place;the numbers of people involved and occupancy hours any existing first aid provisions; and the location and its proximity to external emergency assistance (e.g. fieldwork)

Where additional first aid provision is identified the Dean of School, Director / Head of Support Service of Head of University Centre will ensure such provision is provided.

To identify how many first aiders at work you require in your work area you can use the HSE first aid assessment tool.