Our policies are continuously updated and improved upon. For the latest version of this policy, please contact our school.

FIRST AID POLICY

INTRODUCTION

This policy outlines the School’s responsibility to provide adequate and appropriate first aid to pupils, staff, parents and visitors and the procedures in place to meet that responsibility. The policy is reviewed annually.

LEGAL FRAMEWORK

The provision of First Aid in the workplace is required in terms of:

• General Safety Regulation 3 of the Occupational Health and Safety Act, 1993 (Act 85 of 1993). Regulation 3(2), 3(3) and 3(4) provide guidelines regarding the number of first-aid boxes that should be available.

• Occupational Health and Safety Act, 1993 (Act 85 of 1993) and the General Safety Regulations and Hazardous Biological Agents Regulations

• The Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act, 1993 (Act 130 of 1993)

• HIV/Aids Policy of the school

• Code of conduct of the school

AIMS

• To identify the first aid needs of the School in line with Safety Regulations as set down by the DoE

• To ensure that first aid provision is available at all times while people are on school premises, and also off the premises whilst on school visits.

PERSONNEL

The Principal is responsible for the health and safety of the employees and learners as well as anyone else on the premises. This includes the administrative staff teachers, non-teaching staff, pupils and visitors (including contractors).He/She must ensure that a risk assessment of the Schools is undertaken and that the appointments, training and resources for first aid arrangements are appropriate and in place.He/She should ensure that the insurance arrangements provide full cover for claims arising from actions of staff acting within the scope of their employ.

The Safety Officer is responsible for putting the policy into practice and for developing detailed procedures.He/she should ensure that the policy and information on the School’s arrangements for first aid are made available to parents. Teachers and other staff are expected to do all they can to secure the welfare of the pupils.

A First Aid Officer will be appointed at the start of each year. This is a voluntary post. The appointed person must have undertaken emergency first aid training, which will be funded by the school, and keep this updated.

He/she will:

• Look after the first aid equipment e.g. restocking the first aid boxes

• Ensure that an ambulance or other professional medical help is summoned when appropriate.

• Give immediate help to casualties with common injuries or illnesses and those arising from specific hazards at school

• Appoint a first aid team from the learner body and ensure that they get adequate training.

• Organize the first aid team for sport fixtures and any emergency procedures.

There should be one qualified first aider for every 100 learners.  The Safety Officer with the first aid officer must ensure that there are sufficient first aiders in the school.

FIRST AID AT SPORTS EXTRA MURALS

When there are rugby fixtures at school, there is always a qualified St John Ambulance team on duty and/or a medical doctor. The head of rugby organizes this in liaison with the school first aid society. 

Other sports will request first aiders to be on duty for fixtures via the first aid officer.The head of sport will provide the First aid officer, a practice schedule for all sports. The First Aid Officer will then organize that first aid be available.

Each coach/manager must keep an up-to-date medical register of players.

MEDICINES 

Some learners may require medicines that have been prescribed for their medical condition during the school day. 

The parent must inform the school in writing of the type of medication that needs to be taken and when it must be taken. This information must be given to all educators that teach the learner. The learner must also keep this information on their person.

No person may give a learner non-prescribed/over-the-counter medicines, such as those providing relief from period pains or hay fever to a learner. School staff does not give non-prescribed medication to students unless supplied with written authorization by parent/guardian.

REPORTING INJURIES

Any teacher who attended the incident can complete the injury report. The report must be signed by the Principal. This report is available at the front office of the school.

When a first aid incident occurs the injury report must be completed and kept by the Head of Pastoral for 5 years.

PROCEDURE WHEN DEALING WITH SERIOUS INURY

Any learner who sustains an injury on the School premises should be taken to the office, if the injury allows it, and the parents/guardians must be contacted. If the situation is life threatening, an ambulance must be called and the learner should be transported to the nearest medical facility. (This is for the cost of the parent/guardian).

However, if an ambulance must be called or the learner must be taken to a medical facility (and the situation is not life threatening) permission must first be obtained from the parent/guardian. It is, thus, the duty of every parent/guardian to ensure that The School has their correct contact details.

A register (incident file) must be kept of all serious injuries and the actions taken to treat the learner. An Incident Report must be complete following any serious injury that takes places while a learner is in the care of an educator.

STOCKING OF FIRST AID BOXES

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR A FIRST AID KIT:                                                                                                                 As per General Safety Regulations

Item 1: Wound cleaner/ antiseptic (100ml)

Item 2: Swabs for cleaning wounds 

Item 3: Cotton wool for padding 

Item 4: Sterile gauze (minimum quantity 10) 

Item 5: 1 Pair of forceps (for splinters) 

Item 6: 1 Pair of scissors (minimum 100mm) 

Item 7: 1 Set of safety pins 

Item 8: 4 triangular bandages

Item 9: 4 Roller bandages (75mm X 5m) 

Item 10: 4 Roller bandages (100mm X 5m) 

Item 11: 1 Roll of elastic adhesive (25mm X 3m) 

Item 12: 1 Non- allergenic adhesive strip (25mm X 3m) 

Item 13: 1 Packet of adhesive dressing strip (minimum quantities, 10 assorted sizes) 

Item 14: 4 First aid dressings (75mm X 100mm) 

Item 15: 4 First aid dressings (150mm X 200mm) 

Item 16: 2 Straight splints 

Item 17: 2 pairs large and 2 pairs medium disposable gloves 

Item 18: 2 CPR mouthpieces or similar devices. 

Item 19: 1 Plastic bag/latex gloves

• In class rooms the quantities stated under items 1, 8, 9, 10, 14, 15, 17, and 18 may be reduced by half. In larger areas the quantity will increase. 

• Areas such as laboratories will require additional items to above list that must be requested by the laboratory assistant.

AVAILABILITY OF FIRST AID BOXES

First aid boxes are located in the change room, the staffroom, the conference room and the secretary’s office.

The First Aid Officer should ensure that the following is in place:

• Personal mini-first aid kits are available to staff members for their classrooms, who should have them replenished quarterly, or more frequently by the First Aid officer.

• Mini –first aid kits are also made available to each manager/coach of a sport team.