Risk Assessments for First Aid needs - What should a school consider

Risk Assessments for First Aid needs: What should a school consider?

When carrying out risk assessments for first aid requirements, the school should include staff, learners and visitors.  The following aspects need to be considered:

1. The size of the school grounds and buildings, and whether or not there are split levels or sites.  If there is more than one building, the head teacher must consider how many qualified first aiders are needed to provide adequate cover on each floor, as well as all outlying buildings.

1. Location of the school in relation to emergency services.  These should be notified, in writing, of the school’s location as well as any circumstances that may affect emergency access to the premises.  

1. Specific hazards or risks on the school grounds.  This includes learners and employees with special health needs or disabilities, and the age range of the school (this has an influence on various first aid techniques such as resuscitation).

1. Accident statistics.  This will give an indication of the most common injuries, times, locations and activities of a particular school.  This assists with risk assessments and highlights areas that may require specific types of first aid.

1. The number of first aiders required.  The General Safety Regulation 3 states that at least one first aider must be available for every 50 employees (or learners).  Although the employer (school) may not appoint fewer first aiders than this, they may upon assessment, appoint more.   There may also be higher risk areas that require more first aid assistance.

• Selection of first aiders.  The head teacher should consider the individual’s reliability and communication skills, aptitude and ability to learn new skills, ability to cope with stressful and physically demanding procedures, and their normal duties that they will need to leave immediately for the emergency.

• First aider contact details.  All employees must know how and where to contact the first aiders on duty.  Procedures need to be in place and the names of all first aiders supplied.