Safety
Information on safety issues including first aid, fire safety and training for those returning to campus.
In addition to the information on the Returning to campus page on the Health and Safety website, below are some more specific FAQs.
All staff who return to campus should complete the online Cardinus 'Returning to the University Estate' module prior to return. We recommend this is undertaken the week or so before return to ensure staff have the most up to date information as content may be updated in line with guidance and regulations.
Staff must also receive a local induction to explain how the buildings they will be accessing are to be used safely and any other pertinent information, such as first aid support available and how to report any issues. Their attendance should be recorded locally.
In a situation where a person has suffered illness or accident, the first aiders who arrive on scene are taught to consider not only the condition of the casualty, but also, first and foremost, to ensure their own safety. This includes any hygiene and infection risk from the casualty. First aiders are trained therefore to consider any risk from the casualty from poisons or infectious agents, and to make a decision on the basis of the evidence available at the time. The decision in these circumstances may be to administer CPR by carrying out chest compressions, but not delivering rescue breaths. There is some evidence that adequate ventilation may be achieved if the airway is kept open during such chest compressions.
We have had several enquiries from University of Edinburgh trained first aiders regarding the situation during the current coronavirus outbreak. The advice is to follow the procedure outlined above, that is:
- Assess the situation and check for your own safety.
- Approach the casualty if safe to do so, then check the casualty for response by speaking loudly and looking for signs of movement from the chest and abdomen.
Resuscitation Council UK Guidelines 2015 state “If you are untrained or unable to do rescue breaths, give chest compression-only CPR (i.e. continuous compressions at a rate of at least 100–120 min-1)”.
Because of the heightened awareness of the possibility that the casualty may have COVID-19, Resuscitation Council UK offers this advice:
- Recognise cardiac arrest by looking for the absence of signs of life and the absence of normal breathing. Do not listen or feel for breathing by placing your ear and cheek close to the patient’s mouth. If you are in any doubt about confirming cardiac arrest, the default position is to start chest compressions until help arrives.
- Make sure an ambulance is on its way. If COVID 19 is suspected, tell them when you call 999.
- If there is a perceived risk of infection, rescuers should place a cloth/towel over the casualty’s mouth and nose and attempt compression only CPR and early defibrillation until the ambulance (or advanced care team) arrives. Put hands together in the middle of the chest and push hard and fast.
More information from the Health and Safety Department (including short instruction videos), UK Government, and the Resuscitation Council UK is available at the following links:
There may be less fire stewards on campus as we slowly return staff to the estate. Each building review group was tasked with evaluating this as part of their reopening process and ensuring that staff were aware of any new procedures. If you are not aware of these, please contact your building manager or school safety adviser.
In an emergency evacuation, the 2 m physical distancing does not require to be adhered to whilst leaving the building. It is much more important to safely and quickly evacuate the premises. Once you arrive at the muster point, we would ask that you do stay at least 2 m away from others during this time and continue to keep that distance as you return to the building when safe to do so.