First Aid Advice for Employers

This sheet is a guide to assessing adequate and appropriate first aid provision and is based on the (free) HSE leaflet “Basic advice on first aid at work” (IND(G)215L 1997). More detailed practical guidance on complying with first aid at work duties is published by the Health and Safety Commission “First aid at work: Approved Code of Practice and Guidance” (L74 1997 ISBN 0 7176 1050 0) 

What do I need to do?

The Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981 require you to provide adequate and appropriate equipment, facilities and personnel to enable first aid to be given to your employees if they are injured or become ill at work. First-aid provision needs to be available at all times people are at work. The minimum first-aid provision on any work site is: 

a suitably stocked first-aid box
an appointed person to take charge of first-aid arrangements

What should I put in the first-aid box?

There is no standard list of items to put in a first-aid box, it depends on what you assess the needs are. HSE do however give a suggested list of contents from which to start.

What is an appointed person?

An appointed person is someone you choose to: 

•  take charge when someone is injured or falls ill, including calling an ambulance if required; 
• look after the first-aid equipment, eg restocking the first-aid box. 

Appointed persons should not attempt to give first aid for which they have not been trained, and should be available at all times people are at work on site - this may mean appointing more than one. 

What is a first aider?

A first aider is someone who has undergone a training course in administering first aid at work and holds a current first aid at work certificate. The training has to have been approved by HSE. You may decide, following your first-aid assessment, that you need one or more first aiders. A first aider can undertake the duties of an appointed person. 

How many first aiders or appointed persons do I need?

There are no hard and fast rules on when or how many first aiders or appointed persons might be needed. This will depend on the circumstances of each particular organisation or worksite. First-aid personnel should be available at all times people are at work, based on assessments of risk and number of workers. 

Where there are special circumstances, such as remoteness from emergency medical services, shiftwork, or sites with several separate buildings, there may need to be more first-aid or specially trained personnel than suggested opposite. Increased provision will be necessary to cover for absences.

* You have no legal responsibilities for non-employees, but HSE strongly recommends you include them in your first-aid provision. 

What to consider when assessing first-aid needs?

Many small firms will only need to make the minimum first-aid provision. However, the following factors may make greater provision necessary – you should consider :

• Are there any specific risks, eg working with hazardous substances; dangerous tools; dangerous machinery; dangerous loads or animals?
• Are there parts of your establishment where different levels of risk can be identified? 
• What is your record of accidents and ill health? What type are they and where did they happen? 
• How many people are employed on site? 
• Do customers / the public visit your premises? 
• Are there inexperienced workers on site, or employees with disabilities or special health problems?
• Are the premises spread out, eg are there several buildings on the site or multi-floor buildings? 
• Is there shiftwork or out-of-hours working? 
• Do any employees travel a lot or work alone? 
• Do any of your employees work at sites occupied by other employers? 
• Do you have any work experience trainees? 

If the risks are significant you may need to employ first aiders as your appointed persons and consider issuing personal first-aid kits and training staff in their use.

For further advice CLICK HERE to go to the Health and Safety First Aid website.