In any case of sudden illness or injury, being unable to give emergency first aid could result in a death or a casualty. Business owners should make sure that if their employees are ill or injured at their premises they are given immediate attention.
The HSE or the Health Service Executive needs to hold those accountable where there is a risk,if any established standards are disregarded or laws are persistently disregarded..
What are the employer’s duties legally?
The Health and Safety Regulations of 1981 state that employers should provide appropriate and adequate facilities, equipment and personnel to make sure that their employees get immediate attention if they are ill or injured while they are at work. These sort of regulations are applicable to all businesses and establishments including those with less than five employees including people who are self-employed.
Whatever is appropriate and adequate will depend on the situation in each workplace. This includes the training of emergency staff and equipping first-aid rooms and the items required in first-aid boxes. All employers should be assessed on their first-aid needs to make sure their needs are provided for.
The Health and Safety Regulation do not cover or make provision for first-aid for non-employees like children in schools or the public. However, it is strongly recommended by the HSE that all non-employees are included in the employee’s needs assessment so that the needs of their families are also covered
What is the assessment of the first-aid needs?
Employers are required to carry out a first-aid needs assessment which includes all workplace risks and hazards, the size of the business or organization and other factors that are relevant and what equipment is required.
How to apply the HSE Regulations of 1981 to self-employed workers?
Self-employed workers need to make sure they have the right first-aid equipment, as may be appropriate and adequate in every situation Each self employed worker should assess all the risks and the hazards in your business or workplace and establish a level of first-aid provision that is appropriate.
,In normal situations you are not expected to have first-aid equipment above the normal domestic needs in your home. If your work includes driving long distances or you are on the road continuously, you may need to keep a personal first-aid kit in your own car.
WHEN There are a lot of self-employed people or a mixture of self employed and employed workers together although you are legally obliged to be responsible for your own first-aid provisions. The HSE allows for a written agreement between allr self-employed workers and other occupiers on the workplace including the employer for the responsibility of first aid assistance for everyone. This would allow one employer to take all the responsibility for first aid for all of the workers in the workplace. HSE recommends that such an an agreement should be in writing
What are the requirements needed for offshore work?
Legislation that is industry-specific exists for the people who work in the offshore industry that takes into account the difficulties and remoteness that is linked to access to health care and medical expertise.
The First-Aid Regulations for Installations on Offshore and Pipeline Works was started in 1989. This regulation requires the person who is in control to provide sufficient, suitable first-aid facilities and medical facilities, as well as a sufficient number of trained and competent first-aiders .
The person in control should also assess all the levels of health care and first aid provision needed on barges and individual installations. This will also include the number of trained offshore first-aiders and medics are needed, the type and amount of equipment and the types of drugs supplied . A minimum equipment list provided with the medical equipment and first aid equipment on offshore installations, produced by the Gas and Oil UK.
The person is in control is required to make sure that the adequate first aid and health care is provided for all personal on the installation or barge, including the contractors and any visitors. This extends even to those who work on certain associated vessels. The person who is in control also has to make proper arrangements for a registered medical practitioner to supervise and advise the medic offshore if needed.
Most practitioner’s are based onshore. The offshore medic would have responsibility normally for those attending the sickbay. The seating capacity and size of the facilities as well as the layout of the sickbay should be adequate to provide enough accommodation and medical support for all injured or ill person for up to 48 hours.
It is crucial that you trust the person who will provide your first aid and take care of you if your are ill or injured at work. A first aid training course is needed for those who may need to give first aid to anyone who is ill or injured at work, and it covers a wide range of illnesses and injuries.
How to become a first aid attendant?
The first aid certificate for a workplace is valid for three years. You need to become a qualified first aid attendant for high risk workplaces that also covers emergencies and accidents which could happen at anytime in a workplace with training pack to help practice your their skills.
Who is this perfect for?
It is for people 16 years old and above who need to give first aid to anyone who is ill or injured while at work and for businesses who need to assess their requirements for additional first aid training.
How long does this course run for?
It is a three day course that goes from 9am until 5pm everyday. Lunch break in between the morning and the afternoon sessions. It is recommended that you bring your own snacks and lunch as not all of the venues have canteens or outlets nearby.
The training is delivered in a classroom setting . It offers a hands-on and practical approach that gives participants the confidence and skills to use your first aid skills in any situation. For reassurance, each trainee is assessed throughout the training using different practical demonstrations, quizzes, engaging activities and question and answer sessions that are designed to teach and support them.
To make sure that you get the best and the most effective training and learning experience, trainees must be able to participate physically which is why the group limit is around 12 people. Each trainee gets a training pack that includes resources to help them practice and enhance their skills. The training pack includes a first aid manual, bandages, course companion and more.
