3.10/3.11 Emergency Procedures and First Aid

Question 1

The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 contain general requirements for emergency planning, which require the employer to: (4)

Answer 1

 Have emergency procedures

 Appoint a sufficient number of competent persons to implement evacuation procedures

 Ensure that no employee has access to any danger area unless he has received adequate health and safety instruction

 Make any necessary arrangements for contacting external emergency services.

Question 2

The aims of first aid

Answer 2

Preserve life

Minimise consequences of illness/injury

Treat minor injuries

Question 3

A formal assessment of first-aid

needs is required to determine the appropriate level of provision. It should consider: 11

Answer 3

(a) the nature of the work and workplace hazards and risks
(b) the size of the organisation
(c) the nature of the workforce
(d) the organisation’s history of accidents
(e) the needs of travelling, remote and lone workers
(f) work patterns
(g) the distribution of the workforce
(h) the remoteness of the site from emergency medical services
(i) employees working on shared or multi-occupied sites
(j) annual leave and other absences of first-aiders and appointed persons
(k) first-aid provision for non-employees

Question 4

Where a first-aider is deemed unnecessary an appointed person may be allocated responsibility to: (3)

Answer 4

 take charge of the first-aid arrangements;
 look after the equipment and facilities; and
 call the emergency services when required.

Question 5

The following factors should be considered when a candidate’s suitability for the role
of a first-aider: (4)

Answer 5

(a) reliability, disposition and communication skills;
(b) ability to absorb new knowledge and learn new skills;
(c) ability to cope with stressful and physically demanding emergency procedures;
(d) normal duties – can they be easily left to respond immediately to an emergency?

Question 6

A first aider must hold a valid certificate of

competence in either: (2)

Answer 6

(a) first aid at work (FAW – a 3 day course); or

b) emergency first aid at work (EFAW – a 1 day course

Question 7

The employer has a general duty to inform employees of the arrangements that have
been made for first aid.

This may be achieved in a number of ways including: (3)

Answer 7

 Consultation with employees or their safety representatives;
 The inclusion of first-aid information during induction training; and
 Displaying first-aid notices.