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#1 Posted : 04 December 2006 08:04:00(UTC)
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Posted By GPS
We have just sent 2 people through the 5 day First Aiders training. On returning to the workplace they have informed us of the following;

1. They were recommended on the course to have Hepatitis vacinations

2. They were recommended to take out malpractice insurance @ £15.00 for 3 years.

These are new items to me and wonder if other have been told similar. On item one I believed that if we made it clear to them that they were trained to treat people 'at work' and any claim issues would be dealt with by out insurance.

I would appreciate any comments or guidance.

Thanks in anticipation
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#2 Posted : 04 December 2006 08:38:00(UTC)
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Posted By Margia
Where on earth were they trained? Yes, the employer's insurance will cover them as first aiders at work, provided what they do is in accordance with current first aid training. I'm wondering whether they have misunderstood the trainer - private first aid insurance should only be needed if they are thinking of providing a service in some way, e.g. acting as first aiders for their local pub football team or something like that.

As regards the hepatitis injection, I assume this is Hep B? I think there have been previous postings about this so if you do a search they should come up. The best place I've found for information when employees ask about various vaccinations is the Department of Health's publication "Immunisation against infectious disease" (the Green Book). You can consult it freely on their website www.dh.gov.uk/PolicyAndG...cialCareTopics/GreenBook
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#3 Posted : 04 December 2006 08:43:00(UTC)
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Posted By Ian D.
Hi GPS

I am a H&S Manager and a first aider so I can put both hats on
1st point, I would recommend that the firstaiders have the "Jabs". This consist of 3 jabs over a 6 month period (I think). These can be done in most cases by the firstaiders local practice nurse.

2nd Point, We used to have insurance but as you stated it was personnel insurance for "outside" work. First aid given at work will be covered by your employee liability insurance.

Regards

Ian
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#4 Posted : 04 December 2006 09:37:00(UTC)
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Posted By P.R
Hi

I think some slightly misleading information has been given by the first aid trainer.

Insurance: Covered by employer's insurance for work related activities.

Hepatitis: Not really necessary as it is recommended to wear the normal barriers while treating an IP (gloves, resuscitation barriers etc). Therefore the risk to health would be negligible.

Peter
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#5 Posted : 04 December 2006 09:43:00(UTC)
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Posted By Crim
This points toward vetting the training company before booking the course. I'm always wary of allowing external traininers at employees without first discussing the content.
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#6 Posted : 04 December 2006 10:05:00(UTC)
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Posted By Tabs
Hep injections should be made available on a request basis.

This is based on any simple assessment of the realistic scenarios of helping people. I would be horrified if first aid is only ever given after gloves are made available. It is also quite probable that the first aider will have some form of skin break at the same time - especially in an industrial setting.

So, ask yourself... is it reasonably probable that gloves will *always* be worn before contact, and will the first aider's skin *always* be in perfect condition?

Sadly, Hep exists and is devastating to those who catch it. Thankfully it is relatively uncommon still. I would classify it as a low risk - but a preventable risk (well, two out of three of the variants, I believe) hence my opening statement.
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#7 Posted : 04 December 2006 10:13:00(UTC)
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Posted By P.R
Hi Tabs
2 very good points and I will concede that the first aiders skin will not always be in good condition.
On the second point, again I agree in principal, although we keep a barrier kit by every first aid kit and in addition the first aiders keep sterile gloves by them. In this way the first aiders are not "at risk".

As usual, a risk assessment should be carried out and if there is a risk then of course the jabs should be made available.

Peter
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#8 Posted : 04 December 2006 13:09:00(UTC)
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Posted By srd
As I understand it, and I'm no expert:

The company's insurance should cover the company first aider when administering first aid to employees, visitors or members of the public in his/her own workplace.

As long as the first aider adheres only to those procedures covered on the first aid at work course, then that is fine. If while doing this the first aider makes a genuine error, then the company is liable.

If the first aider attempts a procedure that was not covered on the first aid at work course, then I believe (but I'm not certain)that the first aider can be liable.

The company's insurance normally does not cover a company first aider to administer first aid outside of the workplace, such in the street or at a road accident, and this is where it would be sensible for the first aider to take out additional insurance.

Stephen.
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#9 Posted : 04 December 2006 13:43:00(UTC)
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Posted By A tech SP
The guided learning hours for the First Aid at Work qualification is 24 (correct me if I am wrong). If they had done 5 full days my guess is the trainer was just filling time!!
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#10 Posted : 04 December 2006 14:15:00(UTC)
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Posted By Phil
If it was a 5 day course, I imagine it was an instructors course?
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#11 Posted : 04 December 2006 14:23:00(UTC)
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Posted By GPS
I believe it was 4 days plus half a day revision and then the exam. Sorry if I confused you.
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#12 Posted : 04 December 2006 14:56:00(UTC)
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Posted By Phil
The entire course, exam and any revision should easily be delivered in 4 days. Sounds like someone is having their leg lifted?

http://www.hse.gov.uk/firstaid/training.htm
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