homer190376
Well-Known Member
- Messages
- 69
- Type of diabetes
- Type 1
As you see, generally, the instruction is in line with HSE's advice but not for certain medicines on Schedule 19 in an emergency.Are first-aiders allowed to give tablets and medication to casualties?
First aid at work does not include giving tablets or medicines to treat illness. The only exception to this is where aspirin is used when giving first aid to a casualty with a suspected heart attack, in accordance with currently accepted first-aid practice. It is recommended that tablets and medicines should not be kept in the first-aid box.
Some workers carry their own medication that has been prescribed by their doctor (eg an inhaler for asthma). If an individual needs to take their own prescribed medication, the first-aider's role is generally limited to helping them to do so and contacting the emergency services as appropriate.
However, this does not apply to the administration of prescription only medication specified in Schedule 19 of the Medicines Regulations 2012, where this is for the purpose of saving life in an emergency. Adrenaline 1:1000 up to 1 mg for intramuscular use in anaphylaxis is an example.
Where a first aid needs assessment identifies that Schedule 19 medication may be required to be administered in an emergency, the employer should consider providing workplace first aiders with additional training in their use.
Do you have union representation at your workplace? If you do, I would suggest contacting them.SCHEDULE 19
Medicinal products for parenteral administration in an emergency
Adrenaline 1:1000 up to 1mg for intramuscular use in anaphylaxis
Atropine sulphate and obidoxime chloride injection
Atropine sulphate and pralidoxime chloride injection
Atropine sulphate injection
Atropine sulphate, pralidoxime mesilate and avizafone injection
Chlorphenamine injection
Dicobalt edetate injection
Glucagon injection
Glucose injection
Hydrocortisone injection
Naloxone hydrochloride
Pralidoxime chloride injection
Pralidoxime mesilate injection
Promethazine hydrochloride injection
Snake venom antiserum
Sodium nitrite injection
Sodium thiosulphate injection
Sterile pralidoxime
Yes in the UK, thank you very much for this most informative response, very appreciated, just need to tackle now with my employers. unfortunately no union.I'm not sure if you're in the UK, but if you are, then that instruction seems to contradict advice from the Health and Safety Executive:
As you see, generally, the instruction is in line with HSE's advice but not for certain medicines on Schedule 19 in an emergency.
Do you have union representation at your workplace? If you do, I would suggest contacting them.
Information from:
Frequently asked questions on first aid - HSE
Frequently Asked Questions in relation to first aid at workwww.hse.gov.uk The Human Medicines Regulations 2012
These Regulations consolidate the law of the United Kingdom concerning medicinal products for human use (“products”) in respect of the topics described below.www.legislation.gov.uk
Looking at the topic. My experience with company “first aiders” is they supply a band aid & that’s it…
True. Looking at the HSE advice, it would seem that based on an assessment of the needs of that workplace, the company would be negligent if Homer had a hypo, became unconscious, which caused either he or someone else to get injured, and they had failed to provide sufficient training for first aiders to identify and treat hypos including the use of the hypo kit in an emergency. It sounds like HR is trying to get out of their legal duty to provide adequate first aid provision. Type 1 diabetes is often treated as a disability for the purposes of the Disability Act and the Equality Act, so they may be failing to make reasonable adjustments required by those as well.Looking at the topic. My experience with company “first aiders” is they supply a band aid & that’s it…
I’ve told first aiders where I work with regards to my T1. “Should the roof cave in & I’m trapped? Tell any emergency responders I have T1.” (That’s it.)
I’ve never needed (so far.) a glucegen. Kit.
You could sign a disclaimer to any would be administrator suggesting they are doing in your best interests whilst pro help arrives?
If established hypo & disabilitated?
The responder would also need access to the kit.. and feel comfortably trained? A tricky one….
Pretty much put ‘em in the recovery position & call an ambulance.?True. Looking at the HSE advice, it would seem that based on an assessment of the needs of that workplace, the company would be negligent if Homer had a hypo, became unconscious, which caused either he or someone else to get injured, and they had failed to provide sufficient training for first aiders to identify and treat hypos including the use of the hypo kit in an emergency. It sounds like HR is trying to get out of their legal duty to provide adequate first aid provision. Type 1 diabetes is often treated as a disability for the purposes of the Disability Act and the Equality Act, so they may be failing to make reasonable adjustments required by those as well.
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