Posted By John Thorley We are all aware that the purpose of first aid at work is to preserve life and miminmise the consequences of an ijury or illness until help arrives, equally minor injuries can be treated without placing a burden on the NHS. I was informed recently that a first aider who covered a persons wound with a plaster was sued for compensation because the patient had an allergic reaction to the plaster. This happended in the Liverpool area and i believe was highlighted in the press. What i cannot ascertain is whether this happened at a place of work or not. Can anybody tell me what your liabilities are, if any, if you administer first aid at work and someone was to suffer ill affects through your treatment. Regards John

Posted By Clairey O what o having a quick troll and found this: EDUCATION NEWS: When your kids fall over in the playground and graze a knee, what would you expect their teacher to do? (There is an assumption here that your kids are firstly allowed into a playground and, secondly, are then allowed to play. After all, British Bulldog and even Tag has been banned in many parts.) Surely a call for the first aid box and the swift application of a plaster isn't too much to ask? Think again. Apparently teachers are now being instructed not to apply a plaster but merely wipe the wound with a damp paper towel. The reason? The fear of being sued by parents should their offspring develop an allergic reaction to the plaster. We'll set aside the gutless paranoia that stops a teacher comforting a child in their care for fear of a law suit and merely ask the question: "How many children have died or become seriously ill or even mildly ill after developing an allergic reaction to a plaster in this country in the past 20 years?" The answer may surprise you. None. Not a single one. The madness spreads … BARRY BEELZEBUB http://www.holdthefrontp...05/03mar/barry159a.shtml In relation to john's original posting this could be a case of chinese whispers.....

Posted By Brett Day Going back a few years, well about 16 my sister had a serious reaction to a plaster administered by a dinner lady at school despite it being in her school medical record. The reason her record said 'Do not give plasters' was that she had a severe allergy to penicillin and penicillin based products (which at the time included the anti bacterial treatment found in plasters) (I believe silver oxide is more commonly used know). Of the cases I've followed where teachers & school staff have been sued over first aid treatment it has been as a result of the staff failing to check a child's medical notes or going beyond the bounds of first aid training (for example giving aspirin to a child with a headache where the child's medical notes state they have an aspirin allergy). Bottom line if you give first aid within your training you are covered under the good samariton principle, if you step outside you are on your own. Using the school examples, if a child has medical notes and the injury is a cut knee or other such non-serious injury it would be reasonable to expect a first aider to check records before administering to them.

Posted By Chris Packham This question has been around for some time. It goes back to the old style sticking plaster that contained colophony as one of the constituents of the adhesive. Colophony is well known as a skin sensitiser, although causing a type IV immune response (allergic contact dermatitis) which hardly ever results in an anaphylactic reaction. Modern plasters should not contain colophony, so this possibility is virtually eliminated, particularly if good quality (hypo-allergenic, whatever that means!)plasters are used. Of course, this does not rule out the possibility that someone, somewhere will react to something in the plaster. There are even people with a skin allergy to water! Should we not wash the wound for fear of an allergic reaction? Surely it is all about trying to decide which is the greater risk: leaving the wound untreated or putting on a plaster with the minimal risk that someone might react?

Posted By John Thorley Kathy, Thank you for your reply. Where can i find the information you refer to - With regards to negligence claims "rescuers" are afforded protection ?. Thanks John

Posted By John Webster Clairey Thanks for the pointer to the First Aid website. Did not know it existed, but now bookmarked for future reference.

Posted By John Thorley Hi Maggie Thank you very much for your reply. I was asked the above question by a Safety Rep in a Safety meeting i was chairing last week and to be honest i can normally give a direct answer, but in this instance i could not. I work in the Construction sector. Its goes to show that it is sometimes best to go away, give the question some thought and ask fellow safety professionals who have a bit more understanding on the subject. We all learn something new everyday and from the above answers i have recieved, i have more than answered the question and have gained a bit more knowledge in the process. Thanks to you all for finding the time to reply to my question. The website recommended by Clairey is very good, www.firstaidcafe.co.uk Regards John