The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations
1999
Require employers to assess risks to employees and other
persons on their premises and where necessary take action to
eliminate or control the risks.
The Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981
Requires all employers to provide adequate and appropriate
equipment, facilities and personnel to enable first aid to be given
to employees if they are injured or become ill at work. This
applies to all workplaces.
What is adequate 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 needed. Employers should carry out an assessment of first aid
needs to determine this.
You do not have to provide first aid for non-employees or the
public. However it would be prudent to include them in your first
aid needs assessment.
Regulations apply to all workplaces, including those with less
than 5 employees.
Self-employed workers need to ensure they have adequate
facilities to provide first aid to themselves.
If the self-employed person works with others on mixed premises,
then joint arrangements should be made with other occupiers that
one employer will take joint responsibility for the provision of
first aid cover for all workers on the premises.
What records do I need to keep?
You must keep a record of any reportable injury, disease
or dangerous occurrence for three years after the date on which it
happened. This must include:
- the date and method of reporting;
- the date, time and place of the event;
- personal details of those involved; and
- a brief description of the nature of the event or
disease.
Guidance on keeping records
You could, for example, choose to keep your records
by:
- Keeping copies of report forms in a file;
- Recording the details on a computer;
- Maintaining an accident book or a written log.
Further Information
Further information about employers duties for First
Aid can be dound at the following Webpage Link:
HSE Webpage - First
Aid
Further information on the First Aid Regulations
can be found at the following Web link:
HSE
Publication - First Aid