Posted By Helen Edginton We have a situation in one of our offices where on a Friday afternoon a member of the direct sales team stays behind until 5.00 to answer phones raise sales orders etc, on a rota basis (everyone else leaves at 3.45). They are not alone in the building or keyholders as the cleaners are in attendance and provide a solution to both of these. However, the issue of first aid cover has been brought up and the fact that there is none at this time for either the sales team member or the cleaners. Any ideas how we can practically solve this one? Thanks Helen

Posted By MichaelM Helen Who would give first aid to the cleaners let alone the poor person who has to stay until 5pm? Get one or even better two of them trained to cover for one being on holiday or off ill. Michael

Posted By Eric PD call 999. seems reasonable to me.

Posted By Linda Crossland-Clarke Hi If the office has under 50 employees then you only need a nominated person not a first aider. So you could focus on lone working instead? Linda.

Posted By Sean Fraser It seems to me that the main issue here has not been considered - what is the risk? Someone sitting in an office (a very low risk environment) using telephones and computers (very low risk tasks) will be at very low risk of harm or injury. Yes, there is a possibility they could have a heart attack or if they have an illness or disorder such as diabetes may lapse into shock and possibly coma. But what is the actual possibility? You are not obliged to provide a First Aider - you ARE required to carry out a risk assessment in order to take factual decisions about what provisions you need to make. The risk is more to the cleaners with trailing cables and hazardous chemicals, yet they are seldom considered. Some have FA but many do not, but then how many of them are injured or killed in the line of duty? I personnaly would like to see everyone have mandatory first aid training because you just never know when the skills might be needed, but you would find it difficult to dictate that to your contractors unless you had a very good reason (high risk environment) or were offering to absorb the cost. I trained as a nurse, served in a field ambulance in the TA and have been a first aider for almost 20 years yet I have never attended to anything more than a minor cut or burn. I now work in manufacturing having worked in calibration labs and offices in the past and STILL haven't need to use these skills. I am about to take up a position as a Scottish Ambulance First Responder (essentially a Paramedic back-up) and from what I hear, they have only used their full skills infrequently in the last 6 months and have yet to use their portable defibulator - and this covers a population of 15,000+! So lets get it into perspective. Have a first aid kit available and in an obvious position in case it is needed for minor injuries which are, lets face it, unlikely anyway. Make sure there is a capability to call for the emergency services if required, which is even more unlikely but you just never know. And you will have dischareged your duty under the Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981.

Posted By Mark Talbot Sorry John, the post you refer to did not get it quite right. As I said in my first post an assessment must be made with all the facts disclosed - the initial question mentions cleaners too, not just an individual worker. To make that assessment on this forum without the basic facts is not 'right'. We know nothing about the duties of the cleaners or how many there are, it may well be a tiny office, or a small factory with significant hazards to the cleaners, or more. Telling someone to put a first aid kit in the area might be the appropriate response, but it should be done after all the facts are known don't you think?