Legislation
The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974
The Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981
Definitions
First aid is defined as:
providing help for the purpose of preserving life and minimising the consequences of injury or illness until such time as professional medical support can be obtained; and
treating minor injuries which would not otherwise receive any treatment or which do not warrant treatment by a medical professional (Doctor, nurse, paramedic)
Policy statement
The Health, Safety and Environment Service has delegated responsibility to ensure that adequate arrangements are put in place to provide sufficient first aid provision. It will do this via a First Aid Needs Assessment
Although there is no requirement in law to provide first aid to anyone other than employees, the University will make provision for the benefit of its students and visitors
In recognition of this the University provides additional resource in high risk areas i.e. Sports Training Village, laboratories, workshops, accommodation and hospitality areas
Responsibilities
The Vice-Chancellor (VC) has the overall day to day responsibility for health and safety matters at the University. The VC delegates responsibility for undertaking aspects of these duties through line management and identified roles. The following people are identified as having responsibilities (in addition to any other responsibilities under other health and safety policy) for the management of first aid in those areas, and for those relevant persons, that fall under their control:
Head of Department/Service
Heads of Department or Service are responsible for ensuring that:
- any authorised first aiders under their control are provided with sufficient time to attend training and to maintain the first aid equipment for which they are responsible
- all new starters are given basic health and safety information relating to first aid provision and how this can be accessed in their first month at work
- any first aid equipment, including any automatic external defibrillators (AEDs), under their control is adequately maintained, stored in a safe place, accessible to first aiders and ready for use at all times
- records are kept for all AED equipment under their control to demonstrate a suitable and sufficient maintenance and testing programme
Line Managers
Line Managers are responsible for ensuring that their team is made aware of the first aid provision and procedures available within their department.
Safety, Health and Employee Wellbeing
Safety, Health and Employee Wellbeing will:
ensure that the University has a sufficient number of trained first aiders by carrying out a first aid needs assessment and reviewing this assessment every three years or after any significant change, whichever is the sooner
ensure that first aiders receive adequate and timely training
consider any request for additional first aid provision made by a Head of Department or Service in writing using the template provided. Any additional provision not considered necessary may be refused or charged for
administer the annual honorarium payable to University First Aiders
review and revise this policy every three years or after significant change, whichever is the sooner
Estates
Estates are responsible for ensuring suitable and sufficient first aid signage is provided and maintained.
First aiders
First aiders will:
attend any mandatory training arranged for them in respect of first aid
attend any first aid emergency as necessary and will administer first aid as appropriate and in accordance with the training they have received
maintain simple, factual records and provide information to the emergency services as required
ensure the first aid kit for which they are responsible, is kept fully stocked and up to date
Monitoring
University Health and Safety Committee is responsible for monitoring and reviewing this policy. Reviews will be carried out every two years from the date of approval.
Document control
Date of last review: March 2023.
Date of next review: The next review is due March 2025.