Accidents, incidents and first aid
Report an accident
Accidents, incidents, near misses and undesired circumstances must be reported immediately by:
- telling your supervisor
- completing the online incident reporting form
You must be connected to the University network to report an accident, for example by using a University of Bristol computer on campus.
You can also email Safety and Health Services at bristol-safety@bristol.ac.uk.
How is an accident defined?
Different types of adverse events can happen. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) defines them into categories:
- An accident is an event that results in injury or ill health.
- An incident could be a near miss or an undesired circumstance:
- a near miss is an event that, while not causing harm, has the potential to cause injury or ill health
- an undesired circumstance is a set of conditions or circumstances that have the potential to cause injury or ill health.
- A dangerous occurrence is one of a number of specific, reportable adverse events, as defined in the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 (RIDDOR).
What you can do
For all injuries, seek help from the nearest first aider
First aiders volunteer to provide medical treatment to staff, students and visitors to the University. This treatment may be either to preserve life and minimise injury until assistance from the emergency services arrives or to treat minor injuries which do not need the attention of a medical practitioner or nurse.
Local first aid trained staff operate during normal working hours. Out-of-hours first aid assistance is provided by Security Services - dial 112233 from any internal phone or 0117 3311223 from a mobile.
Serious casualties
If you discover a serious casualty:
- if an ambulance is required, call 999 – this enables the emergency medical dispatcher to give vital advice on how to deal with the situation directly to those involved with the incident while waiting for help to arrive;
- assess the situation but do not put yourself in danger;
- if possible, make the area safe;
- call Security Services by dialing 112233 from any internal phone or 0117 3311223 from a mobile.
Other injuries and accidents
If your building is situated close to the Accident & Emergency department of the Bristol Royal Infirmary (Upper Maudlin St), use these facilities unless the injury is very minor.
Eye injuries
For eye strike injuries, if your building is situated close to the Bristol Eye Hospital (Lower Maudlin St), use these facilities unless the injury is very minor.
Cuts
- Control the bleeding by applying pressure over the wound with a pad of paper tissue or towel roll.
- Do not attempt to remove any broken glass, etc.
Burns
- Douse the burn with copious amounts of cold water, such as under a running tap.
- Do not attempt to remove anything that is stuck to the burn.
Electrocution
- Switch off power at wall or at emergency red stop button if safe to do so.
- Then immediately call for help via Security Services by dialing 112233 from an internal phone or 0117 3311223 from a mobile.
Chemical spills
Before starting work with chemicals, always familiarise yourself with your nearest available emergency shower or sink.
Special treatments are available for the treatment of phenol, hydrofluoric acid burns and cyanide poisoning - if you are planning to use any of these you MUST seek approval and guidance before starting any work.
Only ever clean up a spill if you feel it is safe to do so, otherwise evacuate the area and seek further advice from your supervisor or the University of Bristol Chemical Safety Adviser, Claire Wienburg.
- On skin: Wash off with copious amounts of water using emergency showers.
- In eyes: If available, use an eye-wash bottle with the eyelids held open. Alternatively, use an emergency eye wash station or emergency shower, or use the nearest cold tap.
- Inhaled: If possible, move to fresh air.
- Swallowed: Do not induce vomiting. Identify the chemical.
If someone is injured:
- Seek medical attention immediately.
- Notify the local safety adviser and, if medical treatment is required, contact Safety and Health Services by dialing 88780 from an internal phone or 0117 92 88780 from a mobile.
- If the emergency services need to be contacted, they will ask the nature of the spill & request the UN number rather than the CAS number of the chemical. This can be found in the 'Transport Information' section of any Safety Data Sheet (SDS).
Cleaning up:
- If you are clearing up, ensure that the environment is made safe around a spill.
- Ensure clean-up material is compatible with the chemical involved in the spill and that appropriate disposal routes are identified and used.
Laser strikes
- Switch off the power if safe to do so.
- Seek medical attention from the Eye Hospital during normal working hours or A&E at the Bristol Royal Infirmary.
- If possible, note the details of the laser and provide this to the health professionals.
Needlestick injuries
Needlestick injuries are any incidents where you may be subdermally exposed to contaminated material, via needles, cuts, human bites or scratches. If this happens:
- Encourage bleeding by squeezing but DO NOT suck the wound.
- Wash thoroughly with soap and water.
- Inform a first aider.
- Contact Occupational Health (0117 342 3400 – UHB, Whitefriars).
- Complete an the online incident reporting form.
You must be connected to the University network to report an incident, for example by using a University of Bristol computer on campus.
Similar steps should be taken for blood or bodily fluid splashes to the mouth, eyes or contact with broken skin.
First aid boxes
First aid boxes contain items recommended by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), such as bandages, wound dressings, sterile eye pads, safety pins and plasters.
No medicines like aspirins, paracetamol, ointments or other medication are kept in the first aid box.
First aid personnel are trained only in the administration of first aid, not to administer drugs or medicines.