STFC First Aid
Welcome to the STFC resource pages for First Aid. STFC strives to prevent incidents and illness in the workplace. However, where there is a potential for injury, first aid services are legally required under the Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981. When someone at work is injured or feels unwell it is important they receive attention as soon as possible in order to reduce the consequences of the injury/illness. STFC authorised first aiders provide a service on all our sites to staff, tenants, visitors and contractors.
1. How to raise an alert
If you have a first-aid emergency you should call the following numbers at each site:
- RAL – From a mobile 01235 778888 – From a site phone 2222
- DL – From a mobile 01925 603333 – From a site phone 3333
- Swindon – 2222 (mobile equivalent 01793 444510)
- UKATC – 500 (mobile equivalent 0131 668 8222)
If you dial 999 from any STFC landline, you will be directed to Security. Security will call 999 on your behalf. However, if you are an authorised STFC First Aider treating the casualty, you may wish to speak with the ambulance services directly, if so please inform Security immediately and liaise with them so they can successfully guide the ambulance to you.
Note: All work-related incidents must legally be reported. STFC uses Evotix Assure to record all incidents on our sites. First aiders must submit a treatment form (linked at bottom of page) for both work and non-work related first aid incidents to Occuptional Health or copied/photographed and emailed to ohc@stfc.ac.uk
2. What general Site First Aiders do and don't do
General site First Aiders will treat a casualty and use a defibrillator if required. First Aiders will also call an ambulance and/or contact HR (to contact relative) if needed. First aiders are not trained or competent to administer oxygen therapy or any drugs such as paracetamol or aspirin.
Please note, STFC Occupational Health (OH) departments do not offer First Aid treatment, do not attempt to move or direct the injured or ill person to the OH Centre. If it’s an emergency call the respective numbers in section 1. How to raise an alert.
The following are examples of specialist areas that are not generally undertaken by site First Aiders, instead such first aid is managed locally by those responsible for the activities that could result in exposure to these hazards:
- Hydrofluoric Acid burn treatment, see SHE Code 36;
- Electrical first aid, see SHE Code 34.
3. How do I apply to become a First Aider?
That’s easy. Simply discuss this with your line manager, complete the application form and email it to ohc@stfc.ac.uk. Your submission will be considered by SHE Group and Occupational Health. If the ‘zone’ in which you work has adequate first aid coverage then your application will be filed and considered again in future should a need be identified. Please note that the training commitments to be a First Aider require attendance at:
- An Initial 3 day training course ’First Aid at Work’, likely to be off-site;
- A 2-day re-qualification course every 3 years; and
- A half day refresher course once during the 3 years between qualification courses.
Once qualified, you will receive a small monthly First Aider allowance.
4. Where do I find the Automated External Defibrillator(s) on my site?
There is at least one AED on each site. Please see details below for each site:
- Daresbury;
- Rutherford Appleton Laboratory;
- Royal Observatory Edinburgh (2 AEDs) – one in the main Reception in the Lodge and another AED in the 1894 building, up the stone stairs from VC reception area leading to VC staff offices, on wall before you enter the office level;
- Chilbolton – one AED located in main reception.
- Boulby Mine – one AED located in the underground main first aid cabinet.
- Swindon (2 AEDs) – nearest AED for STFC staff is located in the Utilities/photocopier room, Block 4, second floor west corridor, close to the restaurant. There is another one located centrally in the Incident Room at Reception, Block 3.
AGAINST ADVICE FORM.docxFirst Aid FAQs
I have a chronic illness which makes me prone to fits. Do I need to tell the First Aiders in my Dept?
This is entirely your decision. There would be a benefit to informing First Aiders within your Dept as they are most likely to be called to treat you if you had a fit. It may help to inform the First Aiders of any specific information your Doctor has provided you with in relation to how you should be treated during a fit. In addition, you could wear a medical bracelet to inform any other First Aiders who may be unaware of your condition.
Can I request paracetamol or aspirin from a First Aider?
No. First Aiders are not allowed to provide any form of medicine.
I’ve been suffering with a terrible headache most of the day. What should I do?
You can contact a First Aider who will assess your headache. However, please note only your line manager has the authority to send you home
I fell and scraped my hip, I may need to remove my trousers. Can I request a female first aider?
Yes – every casualty is entitled to request a First Aider of the same gender. Where available, this will be arranged.
I hit my head accidentally, when I contacted Security 2 First Aiders turned up. Why do I need 2?
Security will always send a minimum of 2 First Aiders to each incident. It may be that one First Aider needs to focus entirely on the casualty while the other makes some necessary phone calls.
I was driving from DL to RAL for a meeting and was involved in a near-miss car incident in a service station car park. Whilst ok at the time, the following day my lower back began to hurt. Can I ask for advice from a First Aider?
Yes of course – either contact your nearest First Aider if you know who that is or contact Security who will direct a First Aider to you. Please remember to report any incidents whilst driving on work business on SHE Assure. Please specify your injury in the report, even though it was time delayed and any time off work due to the incident. Please also inform your line manager.
One of my visitors slipped on some ice in the car park, I called the site emergency phone number and a First Aider attended. They’ve gone now but I was so distracted I didn’t catch their name or whether they reported the incident. Should I report this incident on SHE Assure?
Yes – anyone (staff, visitor, tenant, contractor etc) who injures themselves on STFC property should report this incident. If the incident is reported by the First Aider and another member of STFC staff then SHE Group will delete the duplicate, better twice than missed completely!
I heated up some homemade soup for my lunch in the communal kitchen and spilled it slightly, burning my hand. I put it under the cold tap and its feeling ok now. Do I need to report this on SHE Assure?
No – As this injury was not work-related, you do not need to report it via SHE Assure. However, please do not hesitate to ask for assistance from a First Aider for any injury that is work or non-work related. No matter how minor you feel the injury is, it may be worth them casting a trained eye over it.
If I’ve injured myself and know my nearest First Aider, can I approach them directly instead of calling Security?
Yes of course – First aid notice boards in your Dept are aimed at introducing local First Aiders so you can approach them. They will still treat you, call upon additional help if needed and report the incident on a treatment form. The alert system via Security is designed to mobilise the nearest first aiders to an incident when the casualty/person responding is unaware which authorised First Aiders are currently on site, saving valuable time.
I’m a trained First Aider and have treated someone, I have some waste (small bandage with a little blood on it), what do I do with it now?
Under Environment Agency/SEPA waste classifictions, small amounts of healthcare waste are classified as ’AN’, Absolutely Non-hazardous and can be diposed of with normal household waste.
I’ve noticed the eye wash bottles are out of date in my Dept and the plaster dispenser is empty, who should I inform?
The plaster dispenser will be near a First Aid poster with the name of the guardian of that box. Please contact this First Aider directly to inform them about both the eye wash bottles and the empty plaster dispenser. Please remember to copy ‘ohc@stfc.ac.uk’ to the email, so OH can monitor completion of this task.
Should I move an injured person to the Occupational Health Centre for first aid or medical treatment?
STFC Occupational Health (OH) departments do not offer First Aid treatment, do not attempt to move or direct the injured or ill person to the OH Centre. If it’s an emergency call the relevant site emergency number.
Enquiries
Need Support or Advice? Contact the STFC SHE team to get guidance, report a concern, or access training.
