Advice on first aid training providers has been replaced. A link to this new information has been added to the page. Other points to consider when calculating the need for a first aider: Both qualifications are used to designate an employee as a first aider. However, a “designated person” is not the same as a first responder. A designated person takes care of first aid, the first aid kit and, if necessary, calls the emergency services. Appointees are not required to complete first aid training, although they can, and if they complete a FAW or EFAW course, they become first responders under the regulations. Keep in mind that this is just a list of suggested content. Equivalent or additional items are permitted. The HSE recommends not storing tablets and medicines in first aid kits. In addition, the contents of first aid kits should be checked frequently and refilled after use. Care must be taken to ensure that items are disposed of safely as soon as they reach their expiry date.
The HSE ACoP divides jobs into low-, medium- and high-risk categories. The minimum requirement for smaller, low-risk workplaces is to provide a designated person to handle first aid, including maintenance of equipment and facilities and call emergency services. Larger, riskier jobs must have at least one first responder. The Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations, 1981 require employers to provide sufficient first responders, facilities and equipment to provide first aid to workers injured or ill on the job. These regulations apply to schools as well as all other workplaces. The HSE ACoP recommends that employers provide one or more appropriate first aid rooms where the assessment indicates that this is necessary. In schools, the Education (School Grounds) Ordinance 2012 requires that a medical room be made available to pupils, which can be used for first aid for staff, pupils or visitors if necessary. At least one person holding a valid pediatric first aid certificate must be on the premises at all times when children are present. There must also be at least one person on a school trip who has a valid pediatric first aid certificate. First aid requirements for students with identified health needs should be explained in the Student Health Support Plan or Anaphylaxis Management Plan.
For organizations with more than 50 employees, a 3-day internship with a regulated blended learning option is now available – with 6 hours of pre-apprenticeship and 2 days of internship for adults and children. It is good practice for schools to train all staff with basic first aid skills so that they can competently assist first responders in an emergency. Health and Safety Commission (HSC) guidelines recommend that organisations such as schools that provide a service to others include and take care of them in their risk assessments. Given their legal responsibility to the people they serve, schools should carefully consider and consider the likely risks to students and visitors when developing policies and deciding on the number of first responders. In practice, primary care in schools is likely to exceed these minimum requirements. On October 1, 2013, the Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations, 1981 (the Regulations) were amended. This change has not changed the primary responsibility of the school to provide adequate first aid services. However, the previously mandatory requirement for the HSE to allow providers of first aid training and qualifications has been removed, meaning schools now have more flexibility in how they facilitate their first aid. Before undertaking first aid duties, a first responder must be trained and hold a valid certificate of competency in the following areas: Updated first aid guidelines, including information for early childhood service providers. All schools have a primary obligation under the Occupational Health and Safety Act, etc. (the Act), 1974 (the Act) to ensure the health and safety of staff and all other persons affected by school activities. This obligation includes the obligation to protect the health and safety of students, contractors and other visitors on school grounds.
As part of this obligation, the regulations require all employers to provide adequate first aid kits, facilities and people so that immediate assistance can be provided if a person is injured or ill on the job. Schools must conduct a first aid needs assessment to determine the necessary arrangements for first aid. Factors to consider include the location and size of the school, the number of locations, the number of staff and students, the age of the students, their health needs, and the activities performed. Access to the site and communication with emergency services are crucial in an emergency situation and should be included in the school`s arrangements for first aid management. Schools should take into account all their activities when assessing needs and attach particular importance to the provision of first aid in areas with special needs, such as physical education, science departments, school trips and outdoor sporting events. The obligations arising from the regulation are limited to the obligations of a school towards its employees. However, the HSE strongly recommends that schools include non-employees such as students and visitors in their assessment of first aid needs and make reasonable arrangements. Their requirements apply only to employees and not specifically to non-employees such as students and other visitors to school grounds.
The HSE ACoP contains advice on first aid rooms. They should contain essential first-aid facilities and equipment, be easily accessible to stretchers and be clearly marked and marked. They should have washable surfaces and adequate heating, ventilation and lighting, as well as a notice on the door indicating the names, locations and, if applicable, telephone extensions of first responders and their contacts. Hot and cold running water, soap, paper towels and drinking water should also be provided. Ensure schools meet their specific first aid needs for students at school or during approved school activities. In recent years, the number of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in public spaces has increased. An AED is a machine used to give an electric shock when a person has a cardiac arrest, that is, when their heart stops beating normally. Cardiac arrest can affect people of all ages without warning; When this happens, rapid action in the form of immediate defibrillation can help save a person`s life.
The NEW supports the call to equip all schools with a defibrillator, as they can save the lives of students and staff. As with other first aid training, teachers cannot be forced to be trained in the use of AEDs. This must be voluntary and the training must be funded by the employer/school. NEW believes that when teachers become first responders, they should sometimes be exempted from teaching for a period of time without sufficient contact to fulfill their responsibility to review all aspects of first aid care. To treat asthma and anaphylaxis, schools can now have an asthma emergency kit and auto-injector to support this assistance (Ministry of Health, 2015; Asthma UK, 2016). Non-prescribed inhalers and epipens can be stored at school for use in an emergency. Schools and local education authorities should develop their own first aid policies and procedures based on a detailed assessment of local risks and needs. The NEU does not seek to discourage members from volunteering as mental health first responders in their workplace. In such cases, education should be offered and paid for by the school. To do this, first aid instructions should be clearly posted and contain information on the name and location of first responders and the location of the first aid kit. However, special legal requirements apply to first aid for young children.
These are set out in the DfE document Statutory Framework for the Early Childhood Foundation Phase (September 2014). Each employee can volunteer for first aid tasks. The NEW recommends that teachers think carefully before agreeing to become the only trained first responders in a school, as there can be practical difficulties, such as not being able to leave their classroom easily. FAW and EFAW certificates are valid for three years. The content of an FAW course and an EFAW course differ, but as the FAW course is more comprehensive, NEW strongly recommends that schools use this course. However, schools must make their own decisions based on the following: Before conducting off-site activities, the principal should assess the level of first aid required. The HSE recommends that, if no specific risk is identified, a minimum inventory of first aid items for mobile first aid containers should be: Job descriptions for first aid personnel should be updated to reflect this additional responsibility.