Know How on First Aid Provisions

In order  to  determine  what  first aid  equipment and facilities are required,  an assessment of need must be carried out. The assessment should  consider the following:

  -  Hazards   currently  present  and  extent  of  the risks

   - Control  measures in place to reduce risks

    - Size of the practice, number of people employed and present at any one time

    - Individual  competencies of employees

   -  Accident  history  and  statistics,  any  patterns and trends identified

   -  Systems in place to manage health and safety

   -  The need for additional  facilities in the case of lone workers

   -  Exceptional circumstances which  could increase,  for example,  if construction work  is taking place.

First aid box

Minimum contents  of a first aid box include the following:

-    General guidance leaflet

 -   Twenty  individually  wrapped  sterile adhesive dressings

 -   Two sterile eye pads

 -   Four  individually   wrapped   sterile  triangular bandages

 -   Six safety pins

 -   Six medium and two large-sized individually wrapped  sterile un-medicated wound dressings

  -  One pair of disposable  gloves

First aid boxes must not contain  any medicinal products  such as tablets,  inhalers,  ointments  or creams.  If the assessment  of need identifies  that eye wash is required  then this should  be located at a designated  eye wash station.  First aid boxes must be clearly identified by a green background with a white St. George’s cross, and the location communicated  to employees. More than one box may be needed to ensure that  adequate  facilities are provided  according  to the number  of people employed at any one time. Boxes must be checked regularly  to ensure  that  contents  are not  out  of date and are replaced after use.

Travelling first aid kits

For dental professionals  who provide regular and routine  domiciliary  care for patients, there  may be the need for such a kit. The minimum contents of the kit should be as described earlier.