First Aid in BBC Premises

What can go Wrong

• Casualties do not receive first aid
• Injury does not get treated and may get worse
• Failure to comply with legislation

Legal / BBC Requirements 

• UK law requires employers to assess first aid needs and make provision for first aid to be provided.
• BBC Managers must ensure they have appointed sufficient first aiders for their areas of activity, these appointed first aiders will have a ratio of 1 First Aider to 25 staff, however in the hybrid way of working there are additional HSE COVID protocols that confirm that members of staff who are vulnerable should not be requested to be first aiders.
• BBC management will communicate the request for volunteers and procedures for first aid provision to staff in meetings or other chosen process.
• Managers must ensure that their teams are aware and updated on the First Aid arrangements for their workplace.
• HSE COVID protocols for additional PPE have been added to the new updated procedures for first aid provision.

Emergency Procedure

If someone requires first aid:

• In a BBC Tier 1 building: Security will act as first responders for First Aid. BBC Staff trained in First Aid will operate as a secondary response should Security be unavailable.
• In buildings such as TV/radio stations where there is no security presence, local arrangements will remain in place for first aid to be given by approved staff First Aiders.
• In BBC buildings where Security are the first aid responders, posters will be available showing details of how to contact Security to obtain assistance.
• Lists with names and numbers of staff who are First Aiders will be displayed in communal areas of buildings whether Tier 1 or other Radio/TV stations.
• Additional PPE has been added to first aid boxes and defibrillators in line with the HSE COVID protocols to ensure that staff attending a first aid call are properly protected.
• If you cannot find a First Aider quickly, contact the National Central Control Room (NCCR) on 0207 765 1666 , who should be able to assist.

If you think an ambulance is required:

• Security will call an ambulance in buildings where Security are the first aid providers.
• In local buildings/stations the First Aider will call an ambulance by dialling 999 and will inform Reception that this has been done so Reception can instruct the ambulance crew when they arrive and direct them to the correct location as appropriate.
• If your building has a local arrangements, or if you cannot contact the National Central Control Room (NCCR) then call 999 from a mobile. Ensure that you provide the correct address of the building and where the casualty is located. Then contact the local Facilities Managers, and/or Reception to inform them of the situation.
• Stay with the casualty until help arrives.

Control Measures:

• In a BBC Tier 1 building: Security will act as first responders for First Aid. BBC Staff trained in First Aid will operate as a secondary response should Security be unavailable.
• In buildings where there is no Security presence, the provision of First Aid response will be delivered by trained BBC Staff.
• Team Managers will request that staff volunteer to be First Aiders in order to retain a constant flow of First Aiders with the caveat that vulnerable staff do not have to volunteer to become First Aiders.
• The First Aiders ratio is about 1 First Aider to 25 staff members although this will vary in Production and in Audiences.
• Management should take account of work which occurs outside normal office hours and ensure that there are enough First Aiders to cover shift working patterns and that staff know how to find a First Aider in their office or via Facilities Managers.
• Lists with names and numbers of staff who are First Aiders will be displayed in communal areas of buildings whether Tier 1 or other Radio/TV stations.
• First aid training is provided by BBC Academy and contact the Academy for details. Team managers will provide the Academy with names of staff who volunteer to be First Aiders. Once the appropriate training is complete the Academy will provide details of first aid-trained individuals to Workplace who will keep the posters and other lists updated.
• First aid rooms are provided in some of the larger BBC buildings. Rooms or areas where first aid treatment may be given when privacy is required should be identified.
• Automatic External Defibrillators (AED) are provided in the receptions of most staffed BBC buildings. Some buildings have more than one device and the secondary devices can be found in communal areas. BBC Academy have developed a video showing how these should be used.
• First Aid kits are provided in BBC buildings by Facilities Management teams and are located in shared areas.
• First aiders are trained - at BBC buildings the minimum standard of First Aid training is the one day ‘First Aid in the Office or Studio’ course.
• Most BBC buildings are within easy reach of ambulance services and hospital A&E departments.
• BBC Workplace are responsible for the maintenance of first aid boxes, defibrillators and the replenishment of these kits.
• BBC Workplace also manage the Needs Assessments for all BBC Buildings.

Division Specific Issues

• BBC Academy arranges training on request and maintains records of training and will regularly issue the names of trained First Aiders to Facilities Managers.
• Facilities Managers will update local notices with names of First Aiders these details will be provided by local stations once the training has been completed.
• BBC Safety monitors the wider picture by reviewing accident reports. If there are delays in providing First Aid, BBC Safety will review the guidance and contact local managers, and Security where appropriate. BBC Safety will also review Needs Assessments for first aid provision ensuring they are current and reviewed as necessary.
• BBC Safety must be contacted if any of the above control measures are not achievable to further review the processes.
• Production: It will be the responsibility of the Producer to ensure that appropriate first aid cover is available on production.
• Events: It will be the responsibility of the event organiser to ensure that the appropriate level of first aid cover is available.
• Local stations will ensure that first aid boxes and defibs are available for their vehicles and will include the appropriate PPE.
• BBC Academy will provide additional training as appropriate outside of the 1 day basic first aid training or the 3 day training as required.