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Posted By Malcolm Hogarth
To follow on from my last thread, have any of you identified the need for first aiders in the workplace but were unable to get volunteers from the workforce. If so how did you address the issue?. This goes back to their concerns that they may be liable if they were deemed to be negligent in their actions. I have contacted the HSE helpline about this but they were of little help.They just said they could only advise on legislation and that I should contact an inspector. He did go on to say however that if the risk assessment identified that first aiders were required and we did not provide them then we would be in breach of Regulation. Bit of a catch 22 here don't you think?
NB: I appreciate that this query covers both civil liability and statutory requirements, but as ever every contribution will be gratefully recieved.
Thanks,
Malcolm.
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Posted By Ken C
Hi Malcolm
I have come across this situation whilst working for a construction company. I got round it by moving the requirement up the Managerial ladder.
Basically I advised the Project Manager that if they had no volunteers it was up to them to do it. Not allowed I know but they didn't know that.
As it turned out they were in a position to offer incentives and miraculously we started to get volunteers.
People can be very effective in motivating others when they don't want to do it themselves.
Regards
Ken C.
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Posted By Clairey O
there was a thread not so long ago about how much people paid their first aiders
http://www.iosh.co.uk/in...iew&Forum=1&Thread=15201
hope that is of help. it is not something that we suffer from, in fact we had more volunteers than we needed first aiders.
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Posted By Lorraine Shuker
What about offering a payment for First Aiders ~ in my experience this has them beating a path to your door. Downside may be the quality of the service you get from them afterwards if they only train for the cash.
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Posted By AJM
I have just recently gone through this process, I basically put a mail out for volunteers, adding that it was beneficial to people with small children or involved in sporting activities, and I got lots of replies in fact more than I needed maybe I was lucky or just better at persuading.
Other firms I have worked for do offer money, in fact 20 years ago I was getting paid for it with the coal board, so money never fails.
If you was stuck I suppose you could start integrating it into the terms and conditions of managers and supervisors. I feel the same problem is going to arise when we feel the full impact of the fire reforms as wardens will be required and have a lot more responsibilities.
Alan
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Posted By Mint
I'm currently experiencing the problem of getting volunteers to train as First Aiders. I had a few but then some kind soul told them that they could get sued if they hurt a casualty in any way! Suddenly I had no volunteers.
Now looking at the option of changing the terms of employment of Team Leaders/Supervisors to make them First Aiders. I'm loathe to do this though as I feel volunteers would give a better service.
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Posted By AJM
Exactly as i always say better to have one volunteer than 10 press ganged people.
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Posted By steven bentham
To repeat:
Make it part of the supervisory/managerial duties. Supported with a number of 'appointed persons'. - You would be unlikely to get any enforcement issues or civil liabilities by doing this.
I have heard of it being said that some first aid trainers push liability insurance as an issue. I think this is a great shame as I know of NO successful cases of an individual being prosecuted or sued for giving first aid treatment. But there are countless questions from individuals who are too windy to be first aiders. (These same persons are happy to drive a car which could injure someone which they could be prosecuted for and face a massive claim for damages for!!!!!!!)
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Posted By garyh
My understanding is that your employers liability insurance covers employees who are official first aiders at work.
In the past I worked in an organisation where we paid first aiders a nominal £150 per year.
Another alternative is to use "appointed persons" which is less onerous. However, you may need to be able to justify this (as someone else stated via risk assessment)
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