Accidents and First Aid

Summary

Requirements for reporting and recording of workplace accidents and the provision of first aid in the event of an emergency.

Eligibility

Employers, self-employed, employees and members of the public.

Procedure

Accidents and first aid

• Storage
• Reporting accidents and disease
• First aid
• Accidents and first aid check list
• Think about

Preventing accidents

As far as possible accidents at work should be reduced by the use of safe systems of work, safe equipment and the proper training and supervision of staff. This section explains some of the ways in which you can do this.

When accidents do occur, the arrangements for first aid and summoning of medical assistance should suitable, effective and be clearly understood by all persons involved. Proper accident investigation should be carried out immediately in order to prevent similar accidents recurring.

If an investigation is to be successful it must look beyond the immediate to the underlying causes and must avoid simply placing blame. Your safety inspector can advise on internal accident investigation procedures.

Recording and reporting accidents and diseases

All injuries should be recorded in a suitable book. Any business that employs 10 or more people must have an Accident Book (BL510 ISBN 0717626032) that complies with the requirements of the Data Protection Act (DPA) 1998. Accident books can be ordered on line from HSE Books (see Associated Link on right hand side) or purchased from Stationary Office Bookshops cost ÒÂÃÒÒÂÃÒÂÒã4.75. In addition, the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995 (RIDDOR) require some events to be recorded and reported to the enforcing authority with responsibility for their premises. A summary of the Regulations is given here.

The following events must be reported as quickly as possible:

• A death or major injury to an employee (for example the fracture of a bone - other than to the thumbs, fingers or toes), a dangerous occurrence (for example the collapse of a lift of hoist) resulting from your work or an injury resulting in admission to hospital for more than 24 hours
• An accident resulting in a person being off work, or unable to do their normal work, for more than three days or a case of a specified occupational disease certified by a doctor resulting from your work.
• An accident connected with your work where a member of the public is killed or taken to hospital.

The appropriate forms (F2508 for accident and dangerous occurrences and F2508A for cases of disease) are available from any HMSO bookshop and photocopies are acceptable. Incidents must now be reported to the Incident Contact Centre (ICC). You can still report them to your local HSE or Local Authority office by telephone followed by form f2508 or f2508A as before and they will forward it to the ICC.

Incidents can be reported to the ICC in the following ways.

• By telephone 0845 300 9923 from Monday to Friday between 8:00 A.M. and 5:00P.M.
• By Fax 0845 300 9924
• Via the internet using the appropriate links (see Associated Links section) to ICC direct or via HSE or BMBC website
• By e-mail to ICC
• By post to:

Incident Contact Centre
Caerphilly Business Park
Caerphilly
CF83 3GG

The requirement to keep records of reportable incidents remains although the reporting methods have changed. You can record accidents electronically. If you use electronic means it may result in you not having a record of the incident/accident, it is advisable either to print out or save a copy of the report you make if you are using electronic reporting. To assist you in keeping records the ICC will also send you a copy of the report to allow you to check it for errors.

You should ensure that any records of accidents or incidents are kept in a secure place to ensure compliance with the DPA 1998 i.e. in paper form in a secure filing location, if electronically in a password protected file or other access restricted manner.

First Aid

All employers must make adequate arrangements for first aid treatment under the Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981. The level of provision required is determined by the number of employees, the location of the workplace (whether it is remote or close to proper medical facilities) and the potential gravity of the hazards likely to be encountered.

A low hazard workplace, such as a bank or library, should normally provide at least one trained first-aider for every 50 workers; a more hazardous environment would require more. First-aiders must hold a valid first-aid certificate approved by the HSE. Guidance on appropriate courses is available from the Employment Medical Advisory Service (EMAS).

In a small, low-hazard workplace it may be sufficient to provide an appointed person, instead of a first-aider. An appointed person is someone who is authorised to take charge of the situation in the event of an accident and to take responsibility for the first aid equipment. They should be provided with emergency first aid training.

Workplaces which are more hazardous i.e. the risk or consequence of injury are more serious will require nominated First Aiders who have undergone training which meets the requirements of the current Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981. This is more in depth training over a four day period.

First aid boxes and kits must be kept adequately stocked but should not contain medication of any kind. A notice should be displayed to clearly indicate the location of the first aid boxes and the names of the first aiders or appointed persons.

Helplines

Regulatory Services, Health and Safety Team: 01226 773860/1

e-mail: healthandsafety@barnsley.gov.uk

Health and Safety Executive: 0114 2912300

Incident Contact Centre: 0845 3009923

Opening Times/Locations

To view opening times and locations click here 

How the customer can help

Accidents and first aid - a checklist

• Are all reasonable measures taken to prevent accidents?
• Are accidents properly recorded and reported?
• Are accidents investigated internally?
• Is appropriate provision made for first aid?

Think about......

1)

• Are safe systems of work in place?
• Are all dangerous machine parts guarded?
• Are staff properly trained?
• Are maintenance schedules up to date?
• Is equipment suitable for its purpose?

2)

• Do we have an accident recording and reporting procedure?
• Is it necessary to have an accident book? If so do we have one?
• Does the accident book or recording method comply with the DPA 1998?
• Is the accident book up to date and readily accessible?
• Are all staff aware of accident reporting procedures?
• Has someone been assigned responsibility for notifying accidents to the enforcing authority?
• Are notification forms readily available?
• Are we aware of RIDDOR requirements?

3)

• Is an accident notification and investigation procedure in place?
• Does internal investigation operate separately from disciplinary procedures to reach true causes?

4)

• Have first aid requirements been properly assessed?
• Are there sufficient suitably stocked first aid kits?
• Are there sufficient appointed persons/first aiders to give cover at all times?
• Are all staff aware of who the appropriate first aiders/appointed persons are?
• Are first aid training records up to date?
• Have first aid requirements been properly assessed?
• Are there sufficient suitably stocked first aid kits?
• Are the first aid kits checked on a regular basis?
• Are there sufficient appointed persons/first aiders to give cover at all times?
• Do all staff know who the appropriate appointed persons/first aiders are?
• Are first aid training records up to date?

Application Form References

• Accident report form F2508
• Reportable disease form F2508A
• Accident Book reference BL 510 ISBN 0717626032

Leaflets

• HSE24 Reporting under RIDDOR.
• The costs of accidents at work. HSG 96 (ISBN 0 11 886374 6)
• B1510 (ISBN 0717626302) Accident Book
• HSE 31(rev1) RIDDOR Explained
• HSE 32 RIDDOR Information for doctors
• Report The cost of accidents at work. ISBN 0 11 886374 6
• Misc310(rev1) RIDDOR reporting: What the incident contact centre can do for you! (Free leaflet)
• HSG96 The costs of accidents at work
• IND(G)3(L) First aid needs in your work place : your questions answered.
• First aid at work : Approved Code of Practice and Guidance.
• IND(G)214 First aid needs in your workplace: your questions answered
• L74 First aid at work: Approved code of Practice and Guidance
• IND(G)347 Basic Advice on First Aid at Work
• ISBN 0 7176 2603 2 The HSE Accident Book (ÒÂÃÒÒÂÃÒÂÒã4.75)

Distribution Points

Leaflets are available from our offices (see Opening Times/Locations)

Or from HSE:

HSE Books,
PO Box 1999,
Sudbury,
Suffolk,
CO10 2WA.

01787 881165 or Health and Safety Executive website to free leaflets and download

Stationary Office Book Shops.

Legislation

• Reporting of Injuries Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995
• Health and Safety (First Aid at Work) Regulations 1981
• Data Protection Act 1998

Response Times/Next Steps

Response to requests for advice within 5 working days. Accidents reported to the service will be dealt with in line with the service procedure for accident prioritisation and investigation.

Out of Hours Procedure

Serious/fatal accidents notified to the police out of hours are passed through to a Central Call Office who notify senior management who in turn call out relevant officers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q Do I have to keep records of accidents?

A Yes you should keep records of all accidents. This will not only help you to comply with legal duties it will also provide you with an actual account of events on the day. Accident records are also a useful tool for monitoring health and safety performance and identifying potential problems e.g. records of back injuries from lifting may indicate a need for training of staff on safe methods of moving loads.

Q Why must I keep records?

A The Reporting of injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995 also require that you keep a record of all accidents, diseases or dangerous occurrences reportable under them.

Q How do I have to keep these records?

A You can keep them either in a book or in electronic format.

Q What do I have to report?

A The following that must all have occurred as a result of a work related activity;

• An injury or illness that prevents a person from doing their normal job for more than 3 days
• A major injury or condition
• A fatality
• An injury to a member of the public that results in them being taken from the scene of the accident directly to hospital for treatment
• Results in a person becoming unconscious or requiring resuscitation
• Requires a person to remain in hospital for more than 24 hours

Q How do I report an accident?

A Reportable accidents should be brought to the attention of the appropriate enforcing authority in the following manner:

• Over 3 day injuries/accidents by reporting to the Incident Contact Centre direct using form f2508 within 10 days of becoming aware that the matter is reportable
• Major injuries must be reported to the Incident contact Centre and Enforcing Authority immediately by the quickest possible means. You can report using any of the following means:
  • Telephone
  • Fax
  • E-mail
  • On line
• Fatalities must be reported as for major injuries using the same methods:
  • Telephone
  • Fax
  • E-mail
  • On line

Q What is a major injury

A A major injury could be any of the following:

• Breaks / fracture to any bone other than a finger, thumb or toe.
• Amputations
• Dislocations of shoulder hip, knee or spine.
• Loss of sight
• Chemical, hot metal burns or penetrating injury to the eye.
• Injury resulting from electric shock or electrical burn that leads to unconsciousness or requiring resuscitation or admittance to hospital for more than 24 hours.
• Injury leading to Hypothermia heat induced illness or unconsciousness; or requiring resuscitation; or requiring admittance to hospital for more than 24 hours.
• Unconsciousness caused by asphyxia or exposure to harmful substance or biological agent.
• Acute illness requiring medical treatment, or loss of consciousness arising from absorption of any substance by inhalation, ingestion or through the skin.
• Acute illness requiring medical treatment where there is reason to believe that this resulted from exposure to a biological agent or its toxins or infected material.

Related Links:

• The Incident Contact Centre
• Health and Safety Executive
• Report an accident via HSE website
• Order an accident book from HSe Books
• Order forms F2508/2508A from HSE Books