The problem
In an age of litigation, an area of concern for our customers is how they may be liable on an individual or company level following the treatment of First Aid in an emergency to employees, customers or even members of the public.
The provision of First Aid is included within our definition of “business” and as such our policy will cover employees with a First Aid qualification who treat employees and third parties within their business premises. Further, many personal Household Policies now include ‘Personal Liability’ cover as standard, and if not such cover can often be provided by First Aid training bodies such as The Red Cross or St John’s Ambulance.
Arguably, it is the responsibility of each trained First Aider to ensure they are individually covered to achieve “24 hour” insurance protection both within and outside their place of work.
The solution
Zurich’s suggestion is that our customers incorporate a statement on First Aid within their Health and Safety Policy that sets down this principle. In addition, each appointed qualified First Aider should have a specific item within their job description permitting them to attend to members of the public in emergencies – a phrase such as “within business facilities or in the vicinity of business premises” could be used to attempt to define the parameters.
Clearly, this may appear an ambiguous definition however Zurich would expect the principle of “reasonableness” and common sense to apply should a claim subsequently occur. The importance of appropriate ‘Personal Liability’ cover is reinforced here, as the First Aider will not need to think twice about delineation issues if such cover is in place.
