Employers should ensure that if anyone is injured or taken ill at work they should receive immediate attention
The Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981 require employers to provide adequate and appropriate equipment, facilities and personnel to ensure their employees receive immediate attention if they are injured or taken ill at work.
These Regulations apply to all workplaces including those with fewer than five employees and to the self-employed. What is ‘adequate and appropriate’ will depend on the circumstances in the workplace. This includes whether trained first-aiders are needed, what should be included in a first-aid box and if a first-aid room is required. Employers should carry out an assessment of first-aid needs to determine what to provide.
Employers are required to carry out an assessment of first-aid needs. You should identify the hazards and assess the risks in your workplace and establish an appropriate level of first-aid provision. If you carry out activities involving low hazards (e.g. clerical work) you would not be expected to provide more than a standard first-aid kit. If your work involves driving long distances or you are continuously on the road, the assessment may identify the need to keep a personal first-aid kit in your vehicle. If you work on a construction site where the risk and type of injury is very different from an office environment, your risk assessment will identify the need for an appropriately-stocked first aid store.
Your risk assessment may also identify the need for trained first aiders. We offer face to face and online certificated first aid training.
We can conduct first aid risk assessments for your organisation or train representatives to carry out the assessment. Contact us to discuss your needs and we’ll happily advise you.
