FIRST AID POLICY
Revision Date: 15th October 2018
This policy is based on the Health & Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981 accompanied by the Approved Code of Practice and Guidance Notes for First Aid. It is intended to provide a framework with which each group can develop effective first aid arrangements.
The Health & Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981 place a general duty on Wanstead Rugby Football Club to make adequate First Aid provisions for their Players/Coaches/Referees if they become ill or injured during their activities.
WRFC is required to provide equipment and facilities that are appropriate in the circumstances for enabling First Aid to be rendered to Players/Coaches/Referees if they become ill or injured during their activities.
It is the Management Committee’s Responsibility:
- To ensure that ALL First Aiders are adequately trained, available and regularly updated in First Aid techniques.
- To ensure that ALL First Aid refresher training is authorised and implemented within a specified time frame.
- To ensure that adequate records are maintained in respect to First Aid Training.
- To ensure that First Aid Procedure are clearly displayed within the club.
- To ensure that adequate First Aid Insurance is in place (provided by the RFU).
- To ensure that ALL First Aiders have an understanding of the clubs First Aid Policy and Procedures.
- To ensure that ALL First Aiders have an understanding of their role and responsibility.
- To ensure that ALL members within Wanstead Rugby Football Club are aware of First Aid procedures and who to contact in an emergency.
- To ensure that there is adequate First Aid Equipment and consumables made available.
- To ensure adequate records are maintained and Accident Reports are completed and processed in accordance with current Health & Safety legislation.
- To ensure that ALL notifiable accidents/ incidents are reported to the Health & Safety Executive and the Rugby Football Union in accordance with the RIDDOR Regulations.
The Management Committee of Wanstead RFC shall make arrangements for these goals to be achieved.
Monitoring of the success of these arrangements will be carried out annually as part of the development plan.
Duties of a First Aider:
- To provide appropriate First Aid treatment as required.
- To render First Aid, providing they have attended a First Aid at Work/ Emergency Aid Course run by a Health and Safety Executive approved First Aid Training Organisation, or has been trained in the appropriate emergency action to take.
- To ensure they are visible by wearing hi viz-vest or arm band or first aid jacket.
- Take charge of an emergency situation and deal appropriately in accordance with the training provided.
- To be responsible for the contents of their First Aid kit bag, upkeep and replenishment of the box/kit.
- To ensure adequate records are maintained and Accident Reports are completed and processed in accordance with current Health & Safety legislation.
- Carry a fully charged mobile phone with postcode of club IG8 8JY programmed in for emergency services.
- Be aware of player’s medical conditions and label any medication with user’s name, particularly inhalers for asthma users.
Criteria for a First Aider:
- A practising Registered Nurse
- A person who holds a current First Aid at Work Certificate.
- A person who holds a current Emergency Aid for Appointed Person Certificate.
First Aid Kit Provision:
- The club has a First Aid Co-ordinator who maintains supplies of first aid equipment, maintains records of qualified first aiders and arranges future training requirements.
- A rota of qualified first aiders is prepared for every home festival/tournament.
- Every age group squad must have at least 1 qualified first aid volunteer.
- Every age group squad must have a fully stocked first aid kit bag.
All kits are identical, containing specific items related to injuries of a superficial nature that may occur.
- At practice/training session a qualified first aider must always be present with a fully stocked first aid kit bag.
All First Aiders need to be familiar with the Emergency Procedure guidelines document on the following page when dealing with injuries and Youth injuries. Other documents needed for consideration are:
Incident Report Form.
RFU Reportable Injury Form.
Emergency procedure guidelines to be followed when dealing with Youth Accidents, Incidents & Injuries. |
|
1 |
Stay calm but act swiftly and observe the situation. Risk assess the area in proximity to the casualty/casualties - is there a danger of further injuries? If so, try to minimize the danger and isolate the area, if necessary. |
2 |
Listen carefully to what the injured person is saying and try to calm them.
|
3 |
Alert a First Aider who should assess the situation and take appropriate action for minor injuries. The opinion of the Trained First Aider at the scene should be complied with by all parties involved. |
4 |
In the event of an injury requiring specialist treatment, the First Aider should ensure Emergency services are called. |
5 |
Keep the injured person warm and keep onlookers at bay.
|
6 |
Do not attempt to move someone with a suspected major injury. Wait for specialists from the Emergency Services. |
7 |
The Team Coaches should deal with the rest of the squad and ensure that they are adequately supervised. |
8 |
As soon as practically possible, an Age Group Official (Coach, First Aider, Welfare Assistant or Age Group Manager) should contact the injured person’s parent/s or carer. |
9 |
If the Injured person is taken to hospital, please ensure that all his/her personal belongings are collected and returned to the injured person or their parent/s or carer in due course. |
10 |
Following the accident/incident, an Age Group Official must make an entry in the club accident book as soon as practically possible. If in doubt regarding what constitutes, make an entry regardless. |
11 |
In some cases, if and when the incident or injury is regarded as serious it may also be necessary to fill in an Incident Report Form & notify the Wanstead RFC Club Safeguarding Officer. |
12 |
In the case of a head injury or suspected concussion, the school where the injured person attends should also be notified. If concussion is diagnosed, a Youth Concussion form must be completed. |
13 |
The First Aider should make arrangements to replenish any First Aid supplies used in the incident. |
14 |
In the case of a serious injury, ensure that the injured person or their parent/s are contacted for updates and arrange visits if appropriate. |
15 |
In the case of a serious injury, ensure that the injured person does not resume playing rugby until they are deemed fit to do so. |
|
It is a mandatory requirement that certain injuries / incidents are reported to the RFU promptly. To meet with this requirement, reportable matters must be notified to the Club Secretary within a period of 24 Hours. Reportable matters are as follows:
|