STFC First Aid

SHE Code: Management and provision of 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.

Advice for responding to casualty with potential COVID-19

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 above

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.

Please note: Your first action should always be to use the emergency number on site to summon assistance. However, should a trained First Aider be on their way, anyone is capable of operating an AED as the equipment is designed to talk you through the process and will not shock someone if it detects a heartbeat.