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I Harrigan  
#1 Posted : 17 July 2012 10:02:28(UTC)
Rank: New forum user
I Harrigan

I have done many risk assessments in the laboratory where I work but never on first aid provisions. Has anyone prepared a risk assessment on first aid provisions in their workplace? I work in a microbiology laboratory and we have a number of first aid kits situated throughout the laboratory. I think we have too many, and of course its quite expensive to replace products that have gone out of date, so I have decided to do a risk assessment. Any ideas would be welcomed. Thanks Iestyn
Kate  
#2 Posted : 17 July 2012 10:18:01(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Kate

The "first aid" topic on the HSE website sets out how to go about this. But I'd call it a "needs" assessment not a "risk" assessment.
Jake  
#3 Posted : 17 July 2012 10:27:22(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Jake

Bob Shillabeer  
#4 Posted : 17 July 2012 11:00:05(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Bob Shillabeer

Yet again I am deeply disappointed with the over use of the term risk assessment. There is no need to undertake any sort of risk assessment about first aid provision. The First Aid at Work Regulations specify the minimum number of first aiders an employer should provide. There may be a need to increase the numbers based upon risk assessment not of the first aid requirement but the various tasks that are performed by the company's employees which may highlight the need for additional first aiders. If however the risk assessment of the various tasks indicate a need for additional first aiders then I suggest the process should be reviewed and a safer way of undertaking it identified as there seems to be an unacceptable level of risk being created not just provide more first aiders.
Jane Blunt  
#5 Posted : 17 July 2012 11:08:11(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Jane Blunt

I think the poster is asking about the quantity of consumables and equipment to be supplied, not the number of first aiders. What I have done on site is to look at the suggested quantity of consumables suggested by the HSE for the number of people on site and the hazard level, and then ensured that the aggregate quantity in all the first aid grab bags, boxes and first aid room, comes somewhere near the amount required, and that it is distributed fairly sensibly on site. We have around 45 publicly available first aid boxes each of which is 'adopted' by one of the first aiders, whose job is to look in it every few months to keep it reasonably well stocked (there is a stock list in each). Each first aider has their own grab-bag.
bob thompson  
#6 Posted : 17 July 2012 11:14:17(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
bob thompson

Good point Bob However I do believe there is an element of risk assessment require. The first aid regs state suitable first aid provision, not Just sufficient first aiders. There for you first need to undertake an assessment of the task, location and possible level of injury. This will ascertain if any increase in the level of training is required 3 Day HSE approved will not cover everything neither will a standard issue first aid box. Example we have a conservation group that frequently undertake felling opperations on an island in the middle of a remote scottish Loch four hours from help by Tornado. Traumatic amputation, hypothermia, crush injuries etc etc etc. I for one have undertaken a risk assessment.
Lawlee45239  
#7 Posted : 17 July 2012 11:15:37(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Lawlee45239

I Harrigan wrote:
I have done many risk assessments in the laboratory where I work but never on first aid provisions. Has anyone prepared a risk assessment on first aid provisions in their workplace? I work in a microbiology laboratory and we have a number of first aid kits situated throughout the laboratory. I think we have too many, and of course its quite expensive to replace products that have gone out of date, so I have decided to do a risk assessment. Any ideas would be welcomed. Thanks Iestyn
How many persons have you in this area?? And what are your records like with regards to the use of products from the FA boxes, and also the number of items disposed of throughout the year, you can make a judgement on what is required then
NR  
#8 Posted : 17 July 2012 11:17:58(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
NR

Bob is first aid all about the first aiders and numbers of? What about equipment (quantities, specialist, locations), communications to specialised support, access to 2nd and 3rd line medical support, transportation to specialised support and equally the competence of the first aider assessed against the potential that the hazard presents. Have you considered some work occurs in isolated and remote areas, some work involves hazardous substances that may just need drench showers not the secretary with a green box, some work has a potential to bring about significant trauma .......... First aid needs are very much based upon risk assessment
teh_boy  
#9 Posted : 17 July 2012 11:19:11(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
teh_boy

http://www.sja.org.uk/sj...id-needs-assessment.aspx this tool used to be much better? hnmnmmmmn
I Harrigan  
#10 Posted : 17 July 2012 11:44:27(UTC)
Rank: New forum user
I Harrigan

Hi everyone, Thanks for all your replies. I was actually referring to the number of first aid kits required and their contents and not the number of first aiders. Iestyn
Kate  
#11 Posted : 17 July 2012 11:50:46(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Kate

I don't disagree that first aid needs depend on the risks and that therefore a risk assessment is part of the process. But "first aid risk assessment" suggests to me an assessment of the risks arising from first aid (eg blood-borne diseases) - whereas the main requirement is to determine what first aid provisions are needed (hence needs assessment).
Bob Shillabeer  
#12 Posted : 17 July 2012 12:13:07(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Bob Shillabeer

I'm sorry but there is no need to undertake a risak assessment of first aid provision. The law as I have said sets down the minimum amount of first aiders and first aid equipment that must be provided, end of. Where there are other needs identified through the risk assessment of the process being undertaken then you may well need to provide additional first aiders and equipment. This will depend on the outcome of the risk assessment surly. The case of the island in the middle of a Loch in deepest Scotland will show an increased risk because of its location not the provision of first aiders or first aid kit and the likelihood of an incident will raise or lower the risk involved. The fact remains the risk is from the work activity not the provision of first aid be it kit or trained persons.
Barnaby again  
#13 Posted : 17 July 2012 12:36:58(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
Barnaby again

For goodness sake Bob, someone who works in a lab wants to review the first aid provision. Ok he may not have used the best terminology but come on.
A Kurdziel  
#14 Posted : 17 July 2012 12:42:29(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
A Kurdziel

We have labs (about 120 in all) plus offices etc. We did a sot of risk assessment, (not very formal: no grid, no numbers) and concluded that based on the site and the number of people (700 ish) we had two first aiders per block each block having 20 labs. Each first aider having a first aid kit. We are reviewing the contents of the first aid kits ie we are getting rid of some of the things like extra triangular bandages, which will save us some money. PS Bob The regulations do not specify how many first aiders you require: they guide you through the assessment of need (so called because the regs came out in 1981 when risk assessment was a twinkle in someone’s eye) so you do need to do some sort of assessment.
Mr.Flibble  
#15 Posted : 17 July 2012 12:45:02(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Mr.Flibble

Does it really matter what it is called as long as it reaches the same conclusions! The law says you must make provisions for First Aid and the ACOP gives your guidance for what maybe included in a first aid kit or amount of first aiders required (guidance not law). So if you choose to reflect this on a form marked First Aid Risk Assessment who really cares as long as it does the job! The HSE? I doubt it, as long as you can show you have complied with the law. How you do that and record that is up to each person or company!
paul reynolds  
#16 Posted : 17 July 2012 13:08:35(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
paul reynolds

Currently we review our first aid requirements on an annual (amount of trained FAW & EFAW and provisions required) taking into account the types of injuries that have been suffered in the previous 12 months and over a 5 year period and then looking at the levels of trained personnell and provision required to cover what we believe may happen in the future. We also look at the work planned for the next 12 months. Taking all this in to account I feel that we have sufficiently assessed the first aid requirements of the Company. So is this a risk assessment ??? Personally I am not bothered what it is called but I am confident that what I have done meets both the requirements of Company procedures and what is required by the regulations Regards PaulR
NR  
#17 Posted : 17 July 2012 14:06:13(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
NR

The case of the island in the middle of a Loch in deepest Scotland will show an increased risk because of its location not the provision of first aiders or first aid kit and the likelihood of an incident will raise or lower the risk involved. The fact remains the risk is from the work activity not the provision of first aid be it kit or trained persons. Accurately assessed and available First Aid provision in whatever form that maybe, could potentially reduce the injury from becoming worse, therefore impacting (positively or negatively) on the severity element of the risk analysis. This therefore forms part of the assessment. A lack of first aid provision could be the cause of death. If someone trips, falls, bangs their head and swallows their tongue it will be the lack of Oxygen that kills them not the fall.
Bob Shillabeer  
#18 Posted : 17 July 2012 14:46:56(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Bob Shillabeer

L74 sets out the ACOP requirements for provision of first aiders. In ACOP 3 it states that "An employer shall make an assessment of first aid needs appropriate to the circumstances of each workplace." That is to check that enough first aiders are available and nothing to do with assessing the risk. Appendix 3 of L74 states that where the workplace is low hazard such as offices, shops and libraries were there are less than 25 employees an appointed person should be available, where there are 25 to 50 employees at least one emergency first aid at work trained first aider must be provided and where there are 50 or more employees at least one EFAW trained person must be provided per 100 employees or part thereof. Where the workplace is deemed high hazard the figures are 5 employees at least 1 appointed person, 5 to 50 at least 1 EMFA trained person and over 50 employees at least 1 EFAW trained person per 50 employees or part thereof. As an ACOP sets the minimum standard that must be met to comply with the Law and is used to set the legal aspect of any requirement, it follows that that is the minimum you need to supply unless you can demonstrate that you are compliant with the law through some other arrangements ( and that is not easy). Therefore there is a legal minimum set down as listed above, there is no need to risk assess that as it is set in stone as a minimum. Where the activity of the workplace indicates that there is a higher risk from the activities undertaken then additional EFAW trained staff could be needed, that is based upon the individual circumstances of the place of work.
bob thompson  
#19 Posted : 17 July 2012 15:16:14(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
bob thompson

Thanks NR without assessing the risk from the potential injuries I still maintain that it is not possible to ensure that your provision is adequate.
bob youel  
#20 Posted : 17 July 2012 15:33:19(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
bob youel

Nowhere in the law does it state the numbers of people needed in a given circumstance however some figures/guidance is supplied in the ACOP/guide and how can you assess needs without undertaking some form of assessment? A needs assessment/risk assessment can be undertaken and I advise that such actions are undertaken
User is suspended until 03/02/2041 16:40:57(UTC) Ian.Blenkharn  
#21 Posted : 17 July 2012 15:46:59(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Ian.Blenkharn

Iestyn As a fellow microbiologist I am well aware of the problems you face. Apart from those staff who continue to help themselves remember that staff at the bench, and even some of those in admin and support roles, must cover existing cuts and grazes that in other circumstances we would mostly ignore. That raises the number of consumables that you will need. Now add the frequency and thoroughness of hand (and forearm) washing that may loosen or remove even the best of adhesive dressings. That too raises the number of consumables that you will need. Routine glove use is a contentious issue. For most Class I and II work they are unnecessary but some laboratories have decided on universal glove use at all times. That apart, gloves and adhesive dressings do not go easily together, perhaps necessitating even more frequent dressing change. My labs have a largely unlimited supply, though we do lean on anyone helping themselves to handfuls of plasters for home use. Keep an eye out for abuse, but do consider the needs of staff to cover any wound. Some may recommend keeping early and healing wounds open to assist wound repair but the work will necessitate some cover, either a waterproof dressing or gloves. To promote wound repair, frequent removal of dressings should allow air to the wound, as for regular removal of gloves. Breathable dressings go so far, but when repeatedly wetted with soap and water they do tend to become soggy, while alcohol hand rubs simply loosen the adhesive. You really just can't win. Help staff find the best solution for them, in comfort and convenience, that provides protection of any fresh wound and other damaged skin. The infinite variability suggests that you let staff choose their own solution, with guidance on hand hygiene and safe working at the bench. Any more composite restrictions in supply will cause problems as staff rightly complain about being stuck with a grubby and soggy dressing hanging from their finger. Ian
DFH  
#22 Posted : 18 July 2012 21:44:28(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
DFH

If you think you have too many kits you probably have! Can you check levels of use? Like several other forum users I'd suggest you focus on the quality and accessibility of the kits. Standard kit contents may not be sufficient or suitable for the sorts of hazards & injuries your staff may need to deal with. Plus you have the additional, potential issue of substance/agent containment and protection of the first aiders to deal with. So I think your first aid needs to be viewed as part of a wider emergency response. Run through a few scenarios, e.g. this substance, this quantity, this incident & injury/exposure - could you deal with it with your current kit contents and locations (and first aiders)? If not you need to improve them.
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