The RCT Source

Generally the answer to this question is ‘No’.

If an employee needs to take their own prescribed medication, such as an inhaler for asthma, the first aider’s role is generally limited to helping them do so and contacting the emergency services as appropriate.

Furthermore, medicines legislation restricts the administration of injectable medicines – unless self-administered, they may only be administered by or in accordance with the instructions of a doctor (e.g. by a nurse).

However, one exemption to this restriction is in the case of adrenaline, which means that in an emergency situation a layperson is permitted to administer it by injection for the purpose of saving life.

Another example of an exemption from the restriction is in the use of an Epipen to treat anaphylactic shock.  First aiders may administer an Epipen if they are dealing with a life-threatening emergency involving a casualty who has been prescribed and is in possession of an Epipen, and where the first aider is trained to use it.

There is no definitive ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answer to this question as it will depend on the nature of the injury and the particular circumstances in each instance, and will therefore require a risk assessment to be undertaken.

Matters that would need to be taken into consideration when assessing the risk to the injured pupil include:

• where it is possible to obtain it, the opinion of the medical person who assessed the pupil’s injury, e.g. doctor, nurse, or similar;
• access to the building and classrooms;
• egress from the building and classrooms, particularly in the event of an emergency, such as a fire;
• possible temporary restriction from areas of the school or school activities, including playground activities;
• welfare arrangements in respect of eating lunch, using the toilets and similar;
• possible changes to the level of supervision necessary.

Once consideration has been given to the risks and the possible control measures available, it should be possible for the school to determine whether or not the pupil should be allowed to return to school.

Whichever decision is arrived at, it would be appropriate to speak to all concerned, either to explain the temporary arrangements in place and to ensure that all those concerned with implementing them are aware of them, or to explain to the parents why, based on a health and safety risk assessment, it is felt that the pupil should not return.

No – the onus is on you to select a training provider who is competent and who offers a standard of training with appropriate content, suitable trainers and assessors and relevant and robust quality assurance systems.

Furthermore although there may be alternative first aid qualifications available, Council policy requires that first aid personnel be trained in either:

• first aid at work (FAW); or
• emergency first aid at work (EFAW).

as appropriate and as determined by a first aid needs assessment, and delivered by a competent training provider.

Guidance on selecting a competent training provider is provided in Section 5 of the Council’s Policy HS9 – First Aid at Work.

First aid work (FAW) and emergency first aid at work (EFAW) certificates are valid for three years and retraining must be arranged before certificates expire.

However, since it is strongly recommended by the Health and Safety Executive, it is the Council’s policy that trained first aid personnel undertake annual refresher training during any three year FAW/EFAW certification period.

This will help qualified first aid personnel maintain their basic skills and keep up to date with any changes to first aid procedures.

This will depend on your first aid needs assessment but, generally, 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.

The Council will pay a nominal annual gratuity to those first aiders who have successfully completed the full three day first aid at work (FAW) course, but only where the first aid needs assessment determines that such a first aider is necessary.

This money will be paid at the same time as the employee is normally paid, e.g. monthly.

If there happens to be more fully qualified first aiders in a workplace than is deemed necessary by the first aid needs assessment, for example as a result of employees being relocated or a decision being taken by a manager to provide a fully qualified first aider even when one is not deemed necessary, then such ‘additional’ first aiders will not be paid.

If there are more qualified first aiders in a workplace than is deemed necessary and a dispute arises over who the ‘official’ first aiders are – and therefore who gets paid – then it will be the responsibility of the appropriate manager to determine who is an official first aider and who is not.

The Council will not pay any gratuities to appointed persons and/or first aiders who have just the emergency first aid at work (EFAW) qualification for undertaking such duties.

The Council will however pay for all first aid training undertaken by employees on behalf of the Council, including where managers decide to provide a level of first aid provision over and above that deemed necessary by the first aid needs assessment.

Guidance on selecting a competent training provider is provided in Section 5 of the Council’s Policy HS9 – First Aid at Work.

By carrying out a first aid needs assessment.

Although there may be alternative first aid qualifications available, Council policy requires that first aid personnel be trained in either:

• first aid at work (FAW); or
• emergency first aid at work (EFAW).

as appropriate and as determined by a first aid needs assessment, and delivered by a competent training provider.

Guidance on selecting a competent training provider is provided in Section 5 of the Council’s Policy HS9 – First Aid at Work.

Yes – although there is no legal requirement to do so, it is the policy of the Council to provide first aid for non-employees who have an accident or become ill on Council premises.