Morrisons review: Management/first aid and health and safety in the cafe

On Thursday 18th January 2024 at approximately 12 noon, myself and my friend were sitting in the cafe at the Morrisons store in Abbeymead Gloucester, finishing our lunch, when a member of the cafe staff walked past with and tray and fell over the floor which was taped up and in a dangerous condition. She dropped the tray and I immediately got up to help her. I am a trained first aider, so I checked she was ok and noticed she was bleeding on her hand. It was running quickly, so I immediately got some napkins, got her to squeeze and sit with her arm elevated above her heart, which is the recommended procedure. In the meantime, the on site staff member/first aider came over, then got the first aid kit. There are several poo ya I was to complain about within this situation :

1. The floor was very dangerous and takes down with gorilla tape. The were edge that were easy to trip over. Members of the public were walking through this dangerous area. If a small child or elderly person had fallen then it could have been a lot worse, particularly as there were tables either side.

2. When the first aider opened the first aid box, there was no gloves so she was unable to carry out her duty immediately. If I hadn’t had stepped in immediately, the staff member may have bled a lot worse.

3. The first aider once she had her gloves on, gave the staff member annticeptic wipe. She did not suggest squeezing her hands shut and returning her arm above her head which is the recommended procedure. The first aider then mentioned she didn’t feel a two day course was enough and she was u certain what to do.

4. The first aid box was not adequately equipt and fit for purpose.

5. The first aider called for a manager when it was suggest by my friend that someone needed to come and help with the situation.

6. The staff member was asked by the first aider what time she was due to go home. Myself and my friend suggested that she needed the wound checking as it was still bleeding and looked like it may need stitches. The first aider suggested she go home and the poor staff member said she would get the bus. I then again said she needed to go to a walk in centre and the first aider suggested the health centre pharmacy opposite.

7. When the manager came down after about 5 minute, he said to corden off the area. I attempted to say to him what had happened but he seemed dis interested. I then asked the first aider if I needed to sign an incident form as a witness and someone who administered first aid. She said yes. Then I said this to the manager who dismissed it and said it will take you a long time.

8. The first aider then asked me to write my details on her phone and she would deal with it. I asked if she needed me to give an account of what happened and she said it was ok, she would do it.

9. During this time which was approximately 10 minutes, the manager had asked a staff member to clean up and corden off the area which did not happen.

11. On the way out we saw the staff member leaving and asked if she was ok. She explained she was going to the pharmacy. Me and my friend asked if anyone was going with her to which she replied no.

I was horrified at how the situation was dealt with by the management and felt that the first aider was not able to carry out her role effectly due to lack of training and resources. I did not feel confident to leave the situation in the first aiders hands as I was the one making suggestion and providing the care and empathy the staff member needed at the time, along with my friend who was also making suggestions that were not only lawful, but were common sense and caring towards the staff member who had the incident.