First Aid at Work
It can be difficult for employers to understand the requirement and level of provisions they are required to make for first aid for their staff.
In the event of a member of staff becoming ill or having an accident at work, employers are legally required to make arrangements for the immediate care of their staff. To achieve this, in accordance with The Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981, an employer needs to:
Businesses (such as shops) dealing with the public should also consider provisions for this in their needs assessment.
If you are self-employed you should make appropriate first aid arrangements for your working environment, even if you work from home. If you work with other self-employed people on a site, subject to written agreement, you may choose to make joint arrangements, otherwise you are each responsible for making your own first aid arrangements for you and your staff.
The needs assessment
Based on the hazards and risks in your workplace and to help you determine how many first aiders you need and what training they should have, you should assess your first aid needs.
Needs assessment considerations
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.
For more information download the HSE guide alternatively visit the HSE website at http://www.hse.gov.uk/firstaid/legislation.htm