FIRST AID AT WORK

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WHAT DO I HAVE TO DO TO ENSURE THAT I PROVIDE ADEQUATE FIRST AIDERS AND FACILITIES IN THE WORKPLACE?

Every workplace should have sufficient trained personnel, facilities and equipment to give care to the victim of an accident until specialist emergency medical support arrives.  This immediate care can and does save lives. The actions required are specified in the Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981. 

The type and level of protection required should be based on risk assessment. The minimum requirement is for a suitably stocked first-aid box and trained ‘Appointed Person’ to take charge of first-aid arrangements, but this may need to be extended depending on such factors as the nature of work, (for example the needs of an office will be different form those of a building site).  Other considerations include the number of people present, the geography of the workplace, distribution of workers, shift work, proximity to emergency services and cover for absence and leave.  In organisations such as shops, schools etc. provision must also be made for non-employees, therefore the number of trained Appointed Persons and First-aiders depends on the circumstances of each organisation or site. 

An ‘Appointed Person’ is someone chosen to take charge when someone is injured or falls ill, including calling and ambulance if necessary and who looks after first-aid equipment including restocking of the first-aid box.

A ‘First-aider’ is a person trained to administer first aid appropriate to the site-specific hazards of the workplace, e.g. giving artificial respiration, control of bleeding, in what circumstances the patient should or should not be moved etc.  That person will hold a current first aid at work certificate. 

All training organisations running first aid at work courses should be approved by the HSE.  Although most workplaces will need at least one first-aider this is not a legal requirement.  No person should administer first aid treatment for which they have not been suitably trained.

You must inform your employees of your first aid arrangements.  Displaying a notice saying who the first aiders and appointed persons are, together with the location of the first aid box is usually enough.

First aid boxes should be clearly signed and marked.  Whilst detailed guidance on contents is available, this will depend on the types of risks present within the workplace. No medicines or tablets should be included as these may only be dispensed by qualified medical personnel, however there should be a general first aid guidance leaflet.

First aid facilities may be necessary in the workplace and this will be indicated by the risk assessment.  Depending on the nature of work carried out and the numbers of people involved, the first aid room should:

• Have sufficient floor space including enough room for emergency personnel and to allow easy manoeuvring of stretchers.

• Be located in a central, easily accessible position, preferably on the ground floor and thus easily accessible to ambulances.  It should also have easy wheelchair access.

• Be in a quiet place with good ventilation and natural lighting.