Appointed person course
The appointed person course details are:
- 2 hours long
- Delivered explicitly over 3 modules
- On site training clarification at work or home
- Non accredited certificate issued
What is the appointed person course
The appointed person course is 2 hours and aimed at Operation managers basically. The minimum requirement as guided by the Health & Safety Executive (HSENI) Additionally it consists of three different modules. All things considered these modules provide information around health and safety. Although focused on first aid.
- Module 1 First aid in the workplace
- Module 2 Responsibilities
- Module 3 Actions in an emergency
- FAQ’s
Module 1 First aid in the workplace (appointed person course)
First aid in the workplace looks into a variety of subjects. An overall assessment of the individual challenges that may present to employees with inside the type of industry. This is known as a first aid needs assessment. Providing information to the employer based on the three pillars of Health and Safety (H&S). As an employer you have to consider the legal, financial and moral obligations to your employees. Equally this includes visitors and members of the public that can have access to your site. Session content covers:
- Roles of a first aider
- Aims of first aid
- Definition of first aid
- Health & safety legislation
- First aid needs assessment
- Equipment & facilities
- Accident recording & reporting
“First aid is all about preserving life, preventing things worsening and promoting recovery.
Roles of a first aider
The roles of the first aider are to obtain & pass on accurate information. Arriving at the scene, dealing with casualties. Casualty communication and contacting the emergency services. Prioritising casualties followed by infection control and the clean up process. Equally associated administration.
Aims of first aid
The aims of first aid follow a systematic approach and four step process. Step 1 is to preserve life, ensure step 2 – alleviate suffering. Step 3 is to prevent the situation getting worse. Following step 4 is to promote recovery.
Definition of first aid
The definition of first aid is to provide basic treatment to the ill or injured prior to the arrival of professional services. This follows the aims of first aid chiefly.
Health & safety legislation
Health and safety legislation eventually has a variety of acts of foundation. These acts support the three pillars that employers have to follow and detail responsibilities to employees accordingly. Certainly the employer has legal, moral and financial obligations. Under first aid in Northern Ireland regulations support these acts. These are known as first aid regulations 1982 generally other acts support this as well.
First aid needs assessment
The first aid needs assessment undoubtedly is a tool to help guide you in decisions. Is my business a low or high risk industry. There are many factors to consider in this process.
- Industry my workers are involved in
- What are the chances or outcome of injuries
- Size of my workforce
- Shift patterns
- Absences planned or unplanned with first aid staff
- History of accidents and injuries in my workplace
Other information that you may wish to consider
- Travelling and remote or lone employees
- Distance to emergency medical services
- Multiple occupancy sites and businesses around me
- Members of the public or site visitors
- Mental health needs
These considerations will place your business in either a low or high risk environment. You then must decide the level of training your staff require, how many you train lastly. While the list of first aiders is not exhaustive be mindful on numbers. This could be the Emergency First Aid @ Work (EFAW) course or the First Aid @ Work (FAAW) course, These are industry standard courses, or you may decide on something more bespoke.
Equipment & facilities
Equipment & facilities you put in place depends on the risks faced at work. For example a low risk environment with small numbers of employees can be met with a standard first aid box markedly. These can be purchased and present in a grenn box with white cross on them. Contents of this can include:
- Plasters (hypo allergenic)
- Triangular bandages
- Assorted sterile dressibgs
- Assorted bandaging
- Scissors
- Safety pins
- Gloves (latex and powder free)
Higher risk environments obviouslymay require additional equipment including items such as:
- Hemostatic dressings
- Tourniquets
- Burns first aid kits
- Defibrillators
- Chmeical showers
- First aid rooms
“If the risks outway the minimum contents, equip your workplace for the worst possible outcome”.
Accident recording & reporting
Accident recording & reporting is an important action to take place. This helps to identify trends and can influence first aid equipment and PPE. Any injury in the workplace records have to be completed. However if the incident is serious involving hospitalization, absence from work for 3 days or more or fatalities it must be reported to HSE. Reporting of injuries, Diseases or dangerous occurrences (near miss) Regulations (RIDDOR) covers this in depth.
“Reporting and recording is different, every accident must be recorded”.
Module 2 Responsibilities (appointed person course)
- Contacting the emergency services
- Prioritising treatment
- Casualty communication
Contacting the emergency services
Contacting the emergency services is best done by phone otherwise delays occur. There are 3 principal numbers 999, 112 or 911. Mobile phones do not need to have a service to place this call. Request the ambulance service and answer any questions they ask you.
“999, 112, 911, AMBULANCE SERVICE PLEASE”.
Prioritising treatment
Prioritising treatment in first aid is based on 4 areas. The primary survey helps you identify life threatening conditions Airway, breathing followed by circulation checks are conducted first. Previously massive blood loss comes first.
Casualty communication
Casualty communication can have difficulties, always maintain good eye contact Equally be wary of physical or hidden disabilities. Always explain what actions you are going to conduct and why. Above all else treat the person by taking care of their individual needs.
Module 3 Actions in an emergency (appointed person course)
- Factors involved in an emergency
- Assessing the scene for dangers
- Safety approach
Factors involved in an emergency
There are many factors involved in an emergency specifically. Training whenever possible is key. high staff turn over additionally along with demands. This creates tirednees despite compotence. Human error and mechanical function often lead to critical mistakes in the workplace. Nevertheless tiredness can lead to accidents. Notwithstanding managers should keep a keen sense of workforce competence. Occasionally inspections should be put in place.
Assessing the scene for dangers
Assessing the scene for dangers is key in the prevention aspect. rather than allowing accidents becoming worse self preservation is key. Dangers can take many forms. So a trained eye is important.
Safety approach
The safety approach looks into significant steps accordingly.
- Safety – Certainly i must be safe with the casualties needs concurrently, despite treatment.
- Hazards – Eventually must be considered.
- Assess situation – Actions explicitly with information
- Prioritize casualties – Forthwith treatment is given.
- Environment – During the process.
FAQ’s
What is the appointed persons course about?
Answer: Overall insight to responsibilities in the workplace.
Who is this aimed at?
Answer: Managing directors & Health & Safety managers.
Course closure
The course closure allows for any final questions on the course. Also it allows for course evaluations to be conducted and any additional administration. I will also cover delivery times and forms of certificates. Certainly these skills are important. To find out more about this course and other first aid courses click here.
“You can’t change what happens, you can change what you do about it”
danny mccann – mccann training solutions