Welcome Guest! The IOSH forums are a free resource to both members and non-members. Login or register to use them

Postings made by forum users are personal opinions. IOSH is not responsible for the content or accuracy of any of the information contained in forum postings. Please carefully consider any advice you receive.

Notification

Icon
Error

Options
Go to last post Go to first unread
IanC9139  
#1 Posted : 08 October 2012 13:44:25(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
IanC9139

Good afternoon.

Trying to gauge opinion regarding the provision of first aid rooms for a mixed office/vehicle workshop site of about 250 persons.

Obviously the relevant ra will dictate first aider numbers etc but I'm struggling to see if the regs say that a dedicated room is required.

My understanding is that generally, if the workplace is within easy reach of medical assistance, no room is needed and the local emergency ambulance service may be sufficient.

Views or opinions would be appreciated!

Thanks
Sunstone  
#2 Posted : 08 October 2012 14:01:03(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
Scotty C

Hi Ian

You're quite correct - no mention of a dedicated room is made in the First Aid Regs. A dedicated room is not necessary. Indeed, there may be some instances (hopefully not though!) whereby the person requiring first aid is not able to be moved to a room due to the nature of their injuries.

To quote directly, 'first-aid” means those cases where a person will need help from a medical practitioner or nurse, treatment for the purpose of preserving life and minimising the consequences of injury and illness until such help is obtained, and secondly, the treatment of minor injuries which would otherwise receive no treatment or which do not need treatment by a medical practitioner or nurse.

Cheers!
teh_boy  
#3 Posted : 08 October 2012 14:09:56(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
teh_boy

See AcOP: http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/priced/l74.pdf PAGE 13

Quote:
48 A first-aid room will usually be necessary where there are higher hazards such
as in chemical industries or on large construction sites, and in larger premises at a
distance from medical services. A designated person should be given responsibility
for supervising it. The room(s) should be clearly signposted and identified by white
lettering or symbols on a green background


Only have one if you need it.
A few very rapid points
- If you have one it needs to have all the things stated in the AcOP
- IMHO - if someone is in the room they should be supervised by a first aider (it's not somewhere for a lie down)
-If you do have one - equipment provided should be provided subject to risk assessment and kept upto date.
-persons may require additional training: i.e moving casulty to first aid room, using specialist equipment.
-if you have one and consider using it as a morgue (oh how I miss my chemical industry days) consideration as to location is essential as it, and surrounding buildings may be designated as a crime scene.

I have got rid of them on smaller manufacturing sites, but on the chemical plants, when staffed with a Nurse and Doctor they work well

Hope that helps

Basically - what the Sunstone said :)
IanC9139  
#4 Posted : 09 October 2012 09:49:08(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
IanC9139

Thanks for the replies.

I'm not of the opinion we need one but "because there used to be one, we should have one" is being put forward without supporting evidence to support re-instating it, fuelled the query from the TU Reps.

I have access to other first aiders within the other business we share the site with, plus good response from LAS (middle of 4 ambulance stations), methinks I can put this one to rest until the next time....!

Won't be popular with some people but that's life!
Users browsing this topic
Guest
You cannot post new topics in this forum.
You cannot reply to topics in this forum.
You cannot delete your posts in this forum.
You cannot edit your posts in this forum.
You cannot create polls in this forum.
You cannot vote in polls in this forum.