Amanda Clarke, managing consultant for Optimum First Aid Training, examines the implications of Health & Safety (First Aid) Regulations for the industry.

The problem

During a busy dinner for 100 guests, a waitress drops a wine jug, badly gashing her hand. She goes into shock. When the first aid kit is eventually found, it is virtually empty. The designated first aider - in this case, the manager - freezes at the sight of blood.

Fortunately, a guest steps in and stops the bleeding, using two clean bar towels.

The guest then warns the manager that, if the first aid kit is not replenished, she will contact the local environmental health officer.

Expert advice

This real-life incident highlights the need for the hotel to seriously consider its responsibilities (and liabilities) under the Health & Safety First Aid Regulations.

In this case, the waitress had to go to a hospital accident and emergency department. The designated first aider failed in his duty, as the first aid kit was empty and there was no accident book.

First, the hotel should ensure that the manager and more staff are retrained by an appropriate first aid training company. Most people can be trained to overcome their fear of blood.

Second, all members of staff should know where the nearest first aid box is, and who to call when an emergency occurs.

Third, the designated first aider must restock the first aid box immediately, and ensure that any out-of-date materials are destroyed.

In addition, the first aid boxes must be checked on a regular basis. The accident book must be easily available, and everybody needs to know where it is.

Beware

Breach of the Health & Safety at Work Act can incur a Lower Court maximum fine of £20,000, or an unlimited fine in the High Court.

Check list

• Keep your first aid-trained staff up to date - put a record of the expiry date of their certificate on record. Better still, use a first aid training company that automatically tells you when the certificate is due to expire.
• Include the first aid box in any audits carried out at the hotel.
• Take into consideration the highest number of guests you may have in the hotel, and make some provision for it. Although the H&S (FA) Regulations refer to numbers of employees only, it is considered good practice to make extra provision for a major accident.
• Use a number of smaller first aid boxes around the hotel, rather than one large box. Also, make sure it is fully accessible at all times - it should not be locked away in a cupboard which can be accessed only by the manager.
• Keep notices displayed regarding your first aid-trained staff, and make sure they are clearly displayed.
• Keep the accident book easily available. It should record all injuries so that the first aider can identify "black spots" or accident-prone individuals. If an accident book is attached to every first aid box, they should be numbered in sequential order.
• Let your guests know where to seek help. They will be impressed when they see that every detail has been considered, and also feel much more secure.

Contacts

Optimum First Aid Training
0800 7317472

Health & Safety Executive
0541 545500

HMSO Web site for further guidance
www.publications.hmso.gov.uk