AboutGraham Couch Expertise I have over 28 years of experience in aerospace manufacturing and 7 years in Health & Safety, qualifications include IOSH, NEBOSH, COSHH, PUWER, Manual handling DSE and general office and fire safety, I am based in the UK
Experience I have 28 years experience in the aerospace manufacturing industry and 7 years in Health and Safety for an international Aerospace company
Education/Credentials IOSH (managing safely), NEBOSH certificate,(National examination board of occupational safety and health)PUWER,COSHH,Man Handling and DSE Training and experience
Expert: Graham Couch Date: 4/11/2008 Subject: Employee health condition
Question As employers, can we ask employees to volunteer to their supervisors any medical condition that may need emergency treatment on a jobsite? We have a landscaping company and as example, what if an employee is allergic to bee stings, and his foreman is unaware of his condition and doesn't know employee needs an epipen? Or has diabetes and unknown to supervisor, has low blood sugar episode or goes into shock?
Answer Hi, I am unsure of the specific laws in the USA, but in the UK I would make sure that if any employees have an existing medical condition they tell their employer immediately, you have a duty of care towards your employees in so far as providing a safe workplace and safe fellow workmates, this includes protection against inclement weather including sun protection, cold, attacks from the public, dog mess etc, so yes I would encourage any employees to submit any existing medical conditions to you which should be held in strict confidence. They also have a duty to inform you of any condition that could affect their health at work.
If anyone is not forthcoming with this information it cannot be held against you in a court of law if a tribunal was initiated. But if they did provide information pertaining to their medical condition and you did nothing to ensure they are safe to work then you could be prosecuted or it could be used against you if a claim was launched.
I would carry out a risk assessment for this situation which should highlight all the controls needed to ensure your employees are adequately protected against a medical emergency at work, and would advise any employees with a serious medical condition to inform you as soon as possible.
You could then ask fellow work mates to keep an eye on their colleagues in case they get into difficulties, I would also train 10% of your workforce in first aid.
The foreman should also be aware of any medical conditions of all his workforce and also be trained in first aid, he should be shown how to use an epipen if needs be just in case, but only if he is trained in first aid by a recognized practitioner.
I hope this helps, thanks for your enquiry.
Graham.
