Following one of our people being observed using a mobile phone whilst operating powered MHE in our warehouse (appropriate action taken), we have taken the opportunity to restate the company's stance on mobile phones within warehouses and commercial vehicle yards.

In essence, the decision has been taken to ban all mobile phone use by all persons in warehouses and commercial vehicle yards, including fully trained and designated First Aiders.

I have suggested that First Aiders within warehouses and vehicle yards should be exempt from this, but only if they are responding to an emergency call for a first aider and/or are attending to an injured patient.

Whilst we have tannoys and land line phones, my concern is that potentially, seconds could be lost, which could be critical.

As ever, your thoughts and comments gratefully received.

Mike

Invictus

You are of course right, but I want to make sure that there is no potential delay.

Thanks for your input.

Mike

The control centre will often want to talk to a first aider at the scene to get a fuller understanding of the casualty's condition, to help them prioritise the paramedic response and to check the right things are being done. Speaking through an intermediary could result in misunderstandings as well as delays. So it could be useful to make first aiders an exception in the way described.

Agree 100%, I have experienced misunderstandings many times as a former ambulance driver - one example that always sticks in my mind when information had been passed over several walkie talkies in an airport started as 'hurt his back' and became 'heart attack' - cue lots of panicky people shouting for a defib etc.

We have written an exemption into the relevant mobile phone policies for emergencies...but you need to make sure the definition is very clear.

Latest guidance from UK Resus Council highlights, and encourages us as trainers to encourage use of mobile phones on speaker phones, to communicate with ambulance dispatch, whilst carrying out compressions etc.
Extract below:
Cheers
Phil


. First aid trainers are to teach learners how to activate the speaker function on their phone to enable them to communicate more effectively with emergency services. It’s always a good idea for the first aider to have a mobile phone charged and handy. In a situation where you find yourself alone with a casualty, you won’t need to leave them to fetch the emergency services. You can commence CPR immediately and keep it going until professional help arrives and takes over. There’s an increased emphasis in the new guidelines on immediate and uninterrupted CPR. Knowing how to call and communicate with the emergency services via speakerphone will surely contribute to this.