First aid at work covers the arrangements employers must make to ensure employees who become ill or injure themselves at work receive immediate attention, including calling an ambulance in serious cases.

It doesn't matter whether the illness or injury is caused by work, what is important is that lives can be saved and minor injuries prevented from becoming serious by the quick intervention of a trained first aider.

What is a first aider?

A first aider is someone who has passed and is in receipt of a valid 4 day Health and Safety Executive approved training course for carrying out first aid at work. A first aider can carry out the duties of an appointed person.

What is an appointed person?

An appointed person is someone who takes charge in an emergency situation when a person becomes ill at work, either by: finding a trained first aider, calling an ambulance in an emergency situation or replenishing the first aid box when required or ensuring emergency equipment is working.

An appointed person should only administer first aid appropriate to their level of training.

Training

When you have assessed that you require a qualified first aider at your place of work they need to attend an HSE approved course that has at least 24 hours of training, usually held over 4 days or spread out over a few weeks. First Aid at Work certificates are valid for 3 years. Re-qualification courses consist of 12 hours over 2 days.

How do I know I need a first aider?

Many small firms only need to make the minimum of first aid provision, but you must carry out an assessment of your workplace hazards to decide if a trained first aider is required. For example, do you work with hazardous substances, dangerous tools or machinery, heavy loads? A checklist is available from HSE providing guidance First Aid at Work: Your questions answered. (INDG214)

How many first aiders do I need?

There are no rules on how many first aiders are required as this depends on the circumstances of your business. It is up to the employer, after carrying out an assessment of the workplace to decide what the first aid need is.

First Aid Accident Book

You should keep a record of all accidents that occur on your premises. This will allow you to monitor the type and frequency of accidents. It will also allow you to review trends .

HSE's revised accident book, BI 510 is now available. This revised book allows you to record workplace accidents, while maintaining the privacy requirements of the injured person. The completed form in the Accident book contains information about health and safety, which, if used appropriately, can help improve health and safety performance.

All parties in your organisation who have a role in improving health and safety should have access to, and be able to use, the information contained in the Accident book.

The book also contains a copy of the leaflet, An Introduction to health and safety (INDG259), which is a great starting point for anyone new to health and safety management.

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