First Aid

As a minimum, a low-risk workplace such as a small office should have a first-aid box and a parson appointed to take charge of first aid arrangements such as calling the emergency services if necessary. Employers must provide information about first-aid arrangements to their employees.

Workplaces where there are more significant health and safety risks are more likely to need a trained first-aider arrangement, first aid needs assessment will help employers decide what first aid arrangements are appropriate for their workplace.

What is the legal requirement for first aiders at work?

The Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981 require employers to provide adequate and appropriate equipment, facilities and people to ensure their employees receive immediate attention if they are injured or taken ill at work.

What is first aid at work?

People at work can suffer injuries or be taken ill. It doesn’t matter whether the injury or illness is caused by the work they do or not, it is important to give them immediate attention and call an ambulance in serious cases. You should make arrangements to ensure this happens. It can save lives and prevent minor injuries becoming major ones.

What do I need to do?

The Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981 require you to provide adequate and appropriate first-aid equipment, facilities and people so your employees can be given immediate help if they are injured or taken ill at work. What is ‘adequate and appropriate’ will depend on the circumstances in your workplace and you should assess what your first-aid needs are. The minimum first-aid provision on any work site is: a suitably stocked first-aid kit an appointed person to take charge of first-aid arrangements information for employees about first-aid arrangements. It is important to remember that accidents and illness can happen at any time. Provision for first aid needs to be available at all times people are at work.

What should I consider when assessing first-aid needs?

Some small workplaces with low-level hazards may need only the minimum provision for first aid. But there are circumstances and factors that will mean you need greater provision. You, as an employer, are well placed to decide the provision you need.

For more information please visit – https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/sia-licensing-first-aid-training-requirement/first-aid-training-requirement-for-door-supervisors-and-security-guards.