Co-op Academy North Manchester

First Aid Policy

The Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981 require employers to provide trained persons, equipment etc, to deal with First Aid emergencies and ill health occurring at work. This policy outlines Co-op Academy North Manchester’s responsibility to provide adequate and appropriate First Aid to students, staff, parents and carers and visitors and the procedures in place to meet that responsibility. This document should be read in conjunction with the Health and Safety Policy and Medical Treatment Policy.

The academy recognises that First Aid can save lives and prevent minor injuries becoming major ones. This document has been prepared to provide guidance on the policy and procedures for dealing with First Aid at Co-op Academy North Manchester. The requirements for the statutory provision of First Aid have been taken into full account to ensure that it will provide adequate and appropriate equipment, facilities and qualified First Aid personnel.  Failure to implement the procedures contained in this document could result in a criminal offence as well as disciplinary action being taken by the academy. This policy is informed by the DfE’s Guidance on First Aid for Schools and is reviewed annually.

 Aims

• To identify the First Aid needs of the academy in line with The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999.
• To ensure that First Aid provision is available at all times while people are on academy premises, and also off the premises whilst on academy

 Objectives

• To appoint the appropriate number of suitably trained people as Appointed Persons and First Aiders to meet the needs of the academy
• To provide relevant training and ensure monitoring of training needs
• To provide sufficient and appropriate resources and facilities
• To inform staff and parents of the academy’s First Aid arrangements
• To keep accident records and to report to the HSE as required under RIDDOR (the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995).

 Personnel

• To appoint the appropriate number of suitably trained people as Appointed Persons and First Aiders to meet the needs of the academy
• To provide relevant training and ensure monitoring of training needs
• To provide sufficient and appropriate resources and facilities
• To inform staff and parents of the academy’s First Aid arrangements
• To keep accident records and to report to the HSE as required under RIDDOR (the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995).

 First Aiders and Appointed Persons

Definitions

A First Aider is a person who has attended, successfully completed and has a valid certificate for the three day ‘First Aid at Work’ training course approved by the HSE. This is a voluntary post.

Appointed Person means a person who has attended, successfully completed and has a valid certificate for the ‘Appointed Persons’ training.

First Aid means the following:

• Cases where a person will need help from a medical practitioner or nurse,
• Treatment for the purpose of preserving life and minimising the consequences of injury and illness until such help is obtained,
• Treatment of minor injuries which would otherwise receive no treatment or do not need treatment by a medical practitioner or nurse.

 Identification of Suitable Employees

In selecting, First Aiders the Principal should consider the person’s:

• Reliability and communication skills
• Aptitude and ability to absorb new knowledge and learn new skills
• Ability to cope with stressful and physically demanding emergency procedures
• Normal duties. A First Aider must be able to leave to go immediately to an emergency,

The Head of Academy must ensure that candidates are fully briefed on the role and requirements of being a First Aider. They must understand the health risks associated with rendering First Aid and be prepared to receive appropriate health and immunisation advice.

 Role and Responsibilities of Appointed Persons and First Aiders

An Appointed Person is someone who:

• Takes charge when someone is injured or becomes ill
• Looks after the First Aid equipment eg restocking First Aid supplies
• Ensures that an ambulance or other professional medical help is summoned when appropriate. The Office Manager should be contacted immediately on ext 202 or by mobile phone.

Appointed Persons are not First Aiders. They should not give First Aid treatment for which they have not been trained. However, it is good practice to ensure that Appointed Persons have Emergency First Aid training/refresher training, as appropriate. These courses do not require HSE approval. They normally last four hours and cover the following topics:

• What to do in an emergency;
• CPR (Cardiopulmonary resuscitation);
• First Aid for the unconscious casualty;
• First Aid for the wounded or bleeding.

Emergency First Aid training should help an Appointed Person cope with an emergency and improve their competence and confidence.

The First Aiders and Appointed Persons role includes:

• The administration of First Aid, up to but not exceeding the level of their training
• Ensuring that any incident and treatment given is recorded in a suitable local register
• Reporting immediately to the Head of Academy, by telephone, all incidents requiring the attendance of a student, member of staff or any person at hospital.
• Ensuring that all spillages of body fluids are cleared up promptly and
• Ensuring, in liaison with the Office Manager and ALT that appropriate documentation is completed and that reportable (more serious) accidents are reported to them as soon as possible after dealing with the immediate effects.

 The First Aiders and Appointed Persons responsibilities include:

• Attending an initial approved training course approved by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE)
• Ensuring their own recommended immunisations/injections are up to date
• Reporting any illness or injuries (to the Health and Safety Officer and Head of Academy) which would preclude their abilities to administer First Aid, in order for the academy to arrange alternative cover.
• First Aiders also have a responsibility to attend a three yearly refresher training course. (They should attend this course before the expiry of their previous accreditation or they will have to complete the initial training course again)

First Aid should be provided where a person will need further medical treatment until such help arrives, and for the treatment of minor injuries. It should be noted that the treatment of minor illnesses, by the administration of tablets or medicines, falls outside the definition of First Aid. (See Medical Treatment Policy)

The role of the First Aider is to provide care after an accident or injury including preserving life, minimising further damage and making the patient as comfortable as possible until professional medical or nursing help is available. It is not to give treatment.

The role of a member of staff discovering a serious injury or illness is to make contact with the Office Manager or Reception and, when necessary, take charge until qualified assistance is available.

Office staff will then contact a First Aid qualified person and the Office Manager will contact the emergency services if needed.

In the result of the emergency services being needed please contact Mrs Campbell-Jones on 202.  If you have called the emergency services yourself you MUST contact Mrs Campbell-Jones so that deployment of staff can be made to assist them to the casualty.

The First Aider will decide on whether or not the ill or injured party should move, be moved, or remain undisturbed, and may have to take other appropriate action, depending on the assessment of the situation.

In the case of a serious incident, available staff should also seek to ensure the safety and welfare of other students in the area.

 Indemnity and Insurance

Where an employee acting in the course of their employment administers First Aid assistance to another employee or other person in the charge of the academy, such as a pupil, they will be indemnified by the liability insurance for a claim of negligence relating to injury or loss caused by their actions, provided that:

• They are an academy officially designated First Aider with a current valid First Aid at Work Certificate and have attended relevant refresher training
• They are an academy officially designated Appointed Person with a current valid Appointed Persons Training Certificate and have attended relevant refresher training
• The relevant protective equipment (PPE) is used
• The First Aider or Appointed Person is adhering to protocols and acting within the limitations of their training and the First Aider or Appointed Person is acting in good faith.

 Use of the ‘Epi Pen’

Members of staff who have been trained in the use of the ‘Epi Pen’ whether by a parent/carer, user or medical staff, will also be covered provided that: 

• The member of staff is adhering to protocols and acting within the limitations of their training and
• That the member of staff is acting in good faith.

 Procedures

Risk assessment

Reviews are required to be carried out at least annually, and when circumstances alter, at the request of the Principal. Recommendations on measures needed to prevent or control identified risks are forwarded to the Principal.

 Re-assessment of First Aid provision

As part of the academy’s annual monitoring and evaluation cycle

• The Principal reviews the academy’s First Aid needs following any changes to staff, building/site, activities, off-site facilities, etc
• The designated Health and Safety Officer monitors the number of trained First Aiders, alerts them to the need for refresher courses and organises their training sessions
• The designated Health and Safety Officer also monitors the emergency First Aid training received by other staff and organises appropriate training

 Providing information

The Principal will inform all staff (including those with reading and language difficulties) of the First Aid arrangements, including the location of equipment, facilities and First Aid personnel, and the procedures for monitoring and reviewing the academy’s First Aid needs.

The Health and Safety Officer

• Provides information packs for new staff as part of their induction programme
• Gives all staff information on the location of equipment, facilities and First Aid

First Aid Notices will be displayed in a prominent place. 

Provision

How many First Aid personnel are required?

The Principal will consider the findings of the risk assessment in deciding on the number of First Aid personnel required.  Academies are low risk environments, but the Head of Academy will consider the needs of specific times, places and activities in deciding on their provision.

In particular they should consider:

• Off-site PE
• Academy trips
• Science labs
• DT/Art rooms
• Adequate provision in case of absence, including trips
• Out-of-hours provision e.g. clubs, events

Arrangements should be made to ensure that the required level of cover of both First Aider and Appointed Persons is available at all times when people are on academy premises.

 Appointed person

The academy should appoint at least one Appointed Person.

 Qualifications and Training

First Aiders will hold a valid certificate of competence, issued by an organisation approved by the HSE.

Appointed Persons will undertake one-day Emergency First Aid training.

Specialist training in First Aid (FAAW) should be arranged in a three year cycle.

 First Aid materials, equipment and facilities

The Principal must ensure that the appropriate number of First Aid kits according to the risk assessment of the site, are available.  See HSE guidelines on recommended and mandatory contents.

• All First Aid kits must be marked with a white cross on a green background
• Each academy minibus must carry a First Aid kit
• First Aid kits must accompany PE teachers off-site

First Aid kits should be kept near to hand washing facilities and can be found in the following areas:

• Science prep room x 2
• Site Manager/Site Team
• Food Technology
• Technology
• Reception
• PE Department (x 2)
• Art

First Aid Kits

A schedule showing the locations of First Aid kits will be made available.

Items will be discarded safely after the expiry date has passed.

Accommodation

The Principal must provide a suitable room for medical treatment and care of children during academy hours. This need not be a dedicated area but should be close to a toilet and contain a wash basin.  The Medical Room is situated on the ground floor across from the Leadership PA’s office.

Control of Infection

COVID-19 protective measures. Please follow COVID-19 Risk Assessment Document

Essential measures include:

• a requirement that people with COVID symptoms stay at home
• robust hand and respiratory hygiene
• enhanced cleaning arrangements
• active engagement with NHS Test and Trace
• formal consideration of how to reduce contacts and maximise distancing between those in school wherever possible and minimise potential for contamination so far as is reasonably practicable.

How contacts are reduced will depend on the school’s circumstances and will (as much as possible) include:

• grouping children together
• avoiding contact between groups arranging classrooms with forward facing desks
• staff maintaining distance from pupils and other staff as much as possible.

A. Prevention

1) minimise contact with individuals who are unwell by ensuring that those who have coronavirus (COVID-19) symptoms, or who have someone in their household who does, do not attend school
2) clean hands thoroughly more often than usual
3) ensure good respiratory hygiene by promoting the ‘catch it, bin it, kill it’ approach
4) introduce enhanced cleaning, including cleaning frequently touched surfaces often, using standard products such as detergents and bleach
5) minimise contact between individuals and maintain social distancing wherever possible
6) where necessary, wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE)

Numbers 1 to 4 must be in place in all schools, all the time.
Number 5 must be properly considered and schools must put in place measures that suit their particular circumstances (see further detail in the guidance)
Number 6 applies in specific circumstances

B. Response to any infection

7) engage with the NHS Test and Trace process
8) manage confirmed cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) amongst the school community
9) contain any outbreak by following local health protection team advice

Numbers 7 to 9 must be followed in every case where they are relevant

Ensure clinical waste bags are available in isolation room, medical and reception  for disposal of any used PPE / waste from symptomatic persons.

Allocate a meeting room near reception for students who have COVID symptoms.

A child or adult awaiting collection:

• to be moved to a place where they can be isolated and, depending on the age and needs of the child, with appropriate adult supervision if required
• for a window to be opened for ventilation
• if it is not possible to isolate them, they are moved to an area which is at least 2 metres away from other people.
• arrangements are in place to allow a child or adult needing to go to the bathroom while waiting to be collected to use a separate bathroom if possible. The bathroom must be cleaned and disinfected using standard cleaning products before being used by anyone else
• PPE must be worn by staff caring for the child while they await collection if a distance of 2 metres cannot be maintained (such as for a very young child or a child with complex needs).
• ensure any members of staff who have helped someone with symptoms and any pupils who have been in close contact go home to self-isolate if they develop symptoms themselves or they have been requested to do so by NHS Test and Trace.

Many blood-borne microorganisms have the capacity to infect a  First Aider should blood from an already infected casualty enter an open wound or sore on the person of the First Aider, for example Hepatitis.

The HIV virus is not readily transmitted in this way and only a small number of cases of cross infection are documented in health care circles, usually involving heavily infected patients in the latter stages of their condition.

However, the emergence of HIV/AIDS has served to concentrate attention on sensible and routine protective measures which should always be employed during the treatment of bleeding wounds, regardless of the health or otherwise of the casualty.

As it is impossible to be sure of who is, or is not, infected with these viruses the following precautions should be taken by First Aiders:

• Treat all casualties as if they are carriers of a virus
• Always cover open wounds on your own hands with a waterproof adhesive dressing
• Where practical, a pair of disposable gloves (latex or nitrile) should be worn when dealing with bleeding or when cleaning up body fluids or excreta
• All used gloves, waste dressings and other contaminated waste should be placed in a plastic bag for disposal (see later)
• Any blood splashes on the skin should be washed off with soap and water
• If a cut or puncture wound by a needle is sustained, let the wound bleed, squeeze it gently but do not suck it. Wash the area in cold running water and apply a sterile dressing. Report the incident and seek medical advice immediately.
• The HIV virus has only occasionally been found in saliva and in very small quantities when compared with blood. No HIV infection is known to have occurred as a result of carrying out mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. Therefore, the risk to the First Aider is thought to be extremely small and should not discourage a prompt response in a life-saving emergency. A protective resuscitation aid can be used where available and this may be kept in First Aid
• Never reuse disposable equipment or use to treat more than one casualty.

Dealing with Blood and Body Fluid Spills

Spillages of blood, vomit, urine and excreta should be cleaned up promptly. The following general actions must be taken by the person dealing with the spill:

• Clear the immediate area of people. Hazard signs and cordoning may be necessary, according to the circumstances.
• Disposable personal protective equipment (PPE), including gloves (latex or nitrile) or equivalent and a disposable plastic apron must be worn.
• Any spilt blood or other body fluids should be cleaned up, either with disposable absorbent paper towels or with an appropriate sanitizing product 

Waste Disposal

Waste created by the administration of first aid is categorised as hazardous as it may contain bodily fluids. However, in most circumstances and premises the amount produced is minimal and as such special arrangements for disposal are not required.

Ensure clinical waste bags are available in isolation room, medical and reception for disposal of any used PPE / waste from Covid 19 symptomatic persons. Ensure Clinical waste is disposed of in the correct manner.

Reporting Accidents

Statutory requirements: under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995 (RIDDOR) some accidents must be reported to the HSE.

The Head of Academy must keep a record of any reportable injury, disease or dangerous occurrence. This must include: the date and method of reporting; the date, time and place of the event; personal details of those involved and a brief description of the nature of the event or disease. This record can be combined with other accident records on the Parago system

If the injured party requires more than basic first aid (i.e. hospital treatment) the First Aider must contact the Office Manager (215). A copy of the student/staff information will be printed off ready to give to the emergency services by the Office Manager.  Once the call has been made a member of staff will meet the emergency services on the main road and direct them to the injured person.  If the nominated first aider or SLT has contacted the emergency services direct, they MUST contact Mrs Campbell-Jones immediately.

The following accidents must be reported to the HSE involving employees or self-employed people working on the premises:

• Accidents resulting in death or major injury (including as a result of physical violence)
• Accidents which prevent the injured person from doing their normal work for more than three days

For definitions, see HSC/E guidance on RIDDOR1995, and information on Reporting Academy Accidents (Annex A).

 Accidents involving students and visitors

In the case of any accidents that result in the person being killed or being taken from the site of the accident to hospital and if the accident arises out of or in connection with work i.e. if it relates to;

• Any academy activity, both on or off the premises
• The way the Academy activity has been organised and managed
• Equipment, machinery or substances
• The design or condition of the premises

HSE (RIDDOR) must be notified of fatal and major injuries and dangerous occurrences without delay.

HSE will be notified of fatal and major injuries and dangerous occurrences without delay (i.e. by telephone).  This will be followed up within ten days with a written report on Form 2508.  Other reportable accidents do not need immediate notification, but they will be reported to HSE within ten days on Form 2508.

The Head of Academy is responsible for ensuring this happens, but may delegate the duty to the Site Manager.

 Record keeping

Statutory accident records: The Head of Academy must ensure that readily accessible accident records, written or electronic, are kept for a minimum of seven years. (See DSS The Accident Book BI 510).

Academy’s central record: This can be combined with the RIDDOR record and the Accident Book, providing all legislation requirements are met.   The white copy of the first aid form  is kept in the admin office opposite remote learning and the first aid book should be returned to the Site Manager once it has been completed.

The Principal must ensure that a record is kept of any first aid treatment given by first aiders or appointed persons. This should include:

• The date, time and place of incident
• The name (and class) of the injured person
• Details of their injury and what first aid was given
• What happened to the person immediately afterwards
• Name and signature of the first aider or person dealing with the incident.

The Principal must have in place procedures for ensuring that parents are informed of significant incidents.   All head injuries should be reported to parents/carers as soon as possible.

 Monitoring

Accident records can be used to help the Heads and Health and Safety Officers/Academy Nurses identify trends and areas for improvement. They also could help to identify training or other needs and may be useful for insurance or investigative purposes.

The Principal should establish a regular review and analysis of accident records.

 Action in the Event of Injury – Aide Memoir

People with minor injuries should report to the teacher or adult on duty.

Students needing first aid during a lesson should be referred to Student Services by the teacher, who will then call for the First Aider on duty. They should be accompanied by an adult if the injury is more serious.

If it would further endanger the student then the nearest First Aider should be called to the casualty and Reception informed.

Casualties with suspected fractures or back or neck injuries must not be moved unless directed by the ambulance personnel. For the patient’s safety and insurance reasons, they must NOT be moved on the instructions of ANY bystander.

Injuries and accidents that occur during non contact and break times should be dealt with in a similar way by the Duty Staff.

No student should be left unattended in the Medical Room.

In more serious cases, where hospital attention is deemed necessary an ambulance will be called and the parent/carer:

Contacted by the Pastoral Manager or, in their absence, a member of the SLT.

• In the absence of a parent/carer, a member of staff must accompany the student to the hospital and remain there until the parent arrives.
• If a parent/carer cannot be contacted, the Academy will act in loco parentis and give permission for any emergency treatment.

 Procedures for First Aid Staff

The academy will not allow under any circumstances the administration of non-prescription medicines in the academy.

First Aid should only be administered in response to an immediate and serious medical problem.

No treatment or procedure should be attempted for which formal training has not been undertaken.

All head injuries must be reported to the parent/carer and referred on to the nearest casualty department.

Parents of students who have received First Aid must be advised at the earliest opportunity of the incident, the injury and the action taken. Any injury has to be recorded in the First Aid book, the white copy should be passed to the admin team to log on the Parago system and the red copy should remain in the book which should be passed to the Site Manager once completed.

All members of the site team, pastoral managers and PE staff will be trained first raiders.

Staff who regularly take pupils out on school trips, visits and fixtures should consider being first aid trained.

 Payment for First Aiders

A small allowance will be paid to all First Aiders who have a valid current First Aid Certificate. This payment is an acknowledgement of the individual’s training and commitment and is paid in accordance with the current First Aid at Work Policy.

This payment will be stopped if the First Aider:

• chooses not to continue as a First Aider, or
• on attendance at the refresher course is found not to be competent, or
• allows their certificate to lapse, or
• relocates to a unit/establishment which already has sufficient First Aiders, or leaves the organisation.

At the Principal’s discretion, the allowance may be stopped or suspended if the First Aider is likely to be away from the work base for a considerable period of time, e.g. long term sickness, home working, maternity leave, unpaid leave etc. The Appointed Persons do not receive an allowance.