Change to FIRST AID Requirements for Network Rail – NR/L2/OHS/00110

Reason for changes

The review of the First Aid at Work business process and risk assessment was required to incorporate the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) updated Approved Code of Practice in order to comply with the Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981. Network Rail has a legal duty to provide adequate first aid provision for employees, and morally, to consider also contractors and the public. The revision will bring a work based risk approach to assessing Contractors first aid needs; based on work activity, risk of injury and access to emergency services.

Scope of Changes

The standard has been rewritten in line with the First Aid at Work Regulations and now aligns with the Approved Code of Practice (ACOP) There is now a requirement to identify the First Aid provision for works at the planning stage NR have provided a simpler First Aid Risk Assessment (NR/L2/OHS/00110_F01) to identify what provision is required for works based on the activities, and remoteness from emergency services Introduction of a Site First Aid Checklist (NR/L2/OHS/00110/F02) to be used before work commences to ensure that suitable First Aid arrangements are in place Consideration is to be given to others as part of the First Aid Plan, including members of the public and other contractors Guidance has been included regarding the installation, use and maintenance of Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs). Additional first aid kit items are now recommended to be available based on activity risk, with first aiders who are trained on the correct use of them. A recommendation that first aiders maintain their skills and knowledge in between requalification. Increased guidance on the post incident process, which includes first aider support and reporting requirements. First aiders should be easily identifiable for example wearing a first aid armband, lanyard, badge, vest or similar means of identification.

 

Automated External Defibrillators (AED’s)

The new standard recommends that the procurement of AEDs in the work place might be suitable for larger projects, possessions or work in remote locations, in particularly if there are vulnerable persons within the work groups.  All contractors are advised to consider having AED’s available for some works, and ensuring that a competent person is available to operate . See section 10 of NR/L2/OHS/00110 for more details regarding the use and maintenance of these

 

First Aid Equipment

A Responsible Person shall arrange for first aid equipment to be provided at all
times when people are at work. The first aid equipment shall be based on the results of the risk assessment process (NR/L2/OHS/00110_F01)
A Responsible Person shall appoint an Appointed Person or Designated First Aider to:
– Check first aid equipment;
– Restock items missing; and
– Document the checks locally using form NR/L2/OHS/00110/F02.
– Ensure that First Aid equipment is checked every 4 weeks (3 months for low risk sites)
– Ensure First Aiders are issued a personal issue resuscitation face shield; and a pair of vinyl, or nitrile (powder free) disposable gloves.

Minimum First Aid Kit Content

First aid kits shall contain, as a minimum:

• 1 leaflet giving general guidance on first aid (such as that provided by HSE or first aid training organisation);
  20 individually wrapped sterile adhesive dressings of assorted sizes;
  2 sterile eye pads;
  4 individually wrapped triangular bandages;
  6 safety pins;
  6 medium sized individually wrapped sterile un-medicated wound dressings – approximately 12 cm x 12 cm;
  2 large individually wrapped sterile un-medicated wound dressings – approximately 18 cm x 18 cm;
  2 pairs of disposable gloves; and
  1 pack of individually wrapped moist sterile cleaning wipes (unless clean running water is always available at the workplace).
  Personal issue first aid kits shall contain, as a minimum:
  1 leaflet giving general guidance on first aid (such as that provided by HSE or first aid training organisation);
  6 individually wrapped sterile adhesive dressings of assorted sizes;
  1 large individually wrapped sterile un-medicated wound dressings – approximately 18 cm x 18 cm;
  2 triangular bandages;
  2 safety pins;
  1 pack of individually wrapped moist sterile cleaning wipes (unless clean running water is always available); and
  1 pair disposable gloves.
  Tablets and medications shall not be kept with first aid equipment.
  First aiders can assist casualties to take their own medication, but should not administer medication unless trained and advised to do so by a medical practitioner.