Rank: Forum user
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I have had two employees this week disclose medical conditions, one being COPD (working on a production line) and the other Haemophilia (working in an office). I have reviewed the RA's covering their work and don't see that their conditions require any further controls.
Is there anything else that I need to do, e.g do first aiders need to be told? Is there a need for anything specific that I may have missed?
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Rank: Super forum user
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You have no authority to inform the first aiders. You can advise the "bleeder" to tell them so that they may be forewarned.
Ask the two people whether they feel they need anything additional and they will probably say nothing.
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Rank: Forum user
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Douglas, David has hit the nail on the head. To inform anybody without the individuals' freely-given consent is likely to constitute a data protection breach. As it is nigh on impossible post-event to prove consent was given freely, my advice would be say nothing. You should ensure that first-aiders are properly trained to deal with haemophilia and any other relevant conditions and that they have the relevant equipment available (in all boxes/bags).
I hope this helps.
DJ
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Rank: Super forum user
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I agree with the other comments. You should also consider reviewing your first aid risk assessment and record the review.
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Rank: Super forum user
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Why is it 'data protection' you may breach a confidence but it is different to data protection. We don't know how it was told to him, he might of just said it in passing and then there is no contract to keep it to himself.
Why consider a review of the first aid risk assessment it doesn't change the requirements of first aid equipment or what the first aiders would do.
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Rank: Forum user
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Hi,
Thanks for the replies. To be honest I was going to ask the individuals concerned before hand anyway. This is the part of H&S that I find isn't logical. A person could say they have informed their employer about their condition as they have in this case, however if I am off when they require first aid, then who is going to inform the First Aider?
This was the reason I asked the question as to best practice in these circumstances. I understand the need to not make this common knowledge, however I also understand why a first aider may make an entirely different assessment with this knowledge.
Thanks again folks
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Rank: Super forum user
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I'm not a trained first aider so please excuse my ignorance. But what does it matter to a first aider with either of these conditions? Is it going to effect the treatment they would give in an emergency situation?
If the Haemophile cuts themselves at work surly that is the time they would advise the first aider and they would probably understand the treatment they need better than the first aider- or simply insist that they are taken to hospital.
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Rank: Forum user
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Brian,
You are of course correct. Only if they are still conscious and able to speak. Something the Ambulance/paramedic would certainly want to know about.
Certain symptoms/conditions may end up with an ambulance being called, where on others the same circumstances may be less serious.
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Rank: Super forum user
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You cannot give them information directly about the individuals but you can train them in the recognition and treatment of such symptoms. Difficulty in breathing is a standard scenario...
I note you are offshore? Your Medic should be able to give you further guidance.
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Rank: Super forum user
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douglas.dick wrote:I have had two employees this week disclose medical conditions, one being COPD (working on a production line) and the other Haemophilia (working in an office). I have reviewed the RA's covering their work and don't see that their conditions require any further controls.
Is there anything else that I need to do, e.g do first aiders need to be told? Is there a need for anything specific that I may have missed? Is this the jump to a conclusion post nowhere does he say he/she was told in confidence, they might of told the whole workforce, the poster doesn't even say it was disclosed to him/her. There is no hard and fast rule that you can't disclose the information to others.
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Rank: Super forum user
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I would normally check that it is OK with the person with the illness to tell the first aiders and then do so. I have never been refused as I have found that people would rather be treated for what they have than leave everyone guessing and possibly make the situation worse.
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