E.08.04 Considerations when responding to all incidents

1. Immediate action

When an incident occurs immediate action must be taken to reduce the risk of harm or further harm to people.

2. First Aid training

Staff members in key locations must be trained to provide first aid promptly and effectively in all incidents involving injury.

3. Health staff or emergency services

Health staff or emergency ambulance services must be contacted to respond to an incident which involves injury to a staff member, prisoner or visitor where the staff member attending the incident is untrained or believes specialised assistance is required.

4. Cultural and religious issues

Notwithstanding the security and safety of any person or a prison, staff members must respond to incidents in a way that respects the cultural or religious beliefs of those affected.

5. Department of Labour

Accidents to prisoners, which result from an industrial incident and where there is risk of complaint from the prisoner or public censure must be reported to the Department of Labour.

The requirements of Occupational Safety and Health, Department of Labour must be met where incidents result in serious injury to an employee.

6. Medical treatment for visitors

Where necessary, visitors requiring it, must be given immediate medical treatment by the prison’s health services and then referred to external agencies for continuation of care.

7. Support to staff members and prisoners

Systems must be in place to provide psychological and other support to prison staff members or prisoners requiring it following incidents, including cultural and chaplaincy services for prisoners.