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Appointed Persons What is an “Appointed Person”? Can appointed persons perform first aid, eg CPR? Are appointed
persons required to take an approved training course
Defibrillators Should I provide a defibrillator for use in the workplace?
Electric Shock What is the first aid treatment for an electric shock?
First Aid Box What should a first aid box in the workplace contain?
First Aid Equipment What first aid equipment should be provided?
First Aid Cover for the General Public Do I need to make first aid provision for members of the public, who visit my premises? Do the Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981 cover large events such as concerts?
Travel First Aid, Remote and Lone Workers
First Aid in Schools How do the Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981 relate to first aid provision in schools?
First Aid Rooms Do I need to provide a room for first aid? What should be kept in the first aid room? Who should have access to the first aid room?
First Aid Signs
First Aiders How many First Aiders do I need? Can legal action be taken against First Aiders? Does my employee need to do any training to be a first aider?
Record Keeping Do I need to record incidents requiring the attention of a first aider? Who is responsible for keeping the records?
Tablets and Medications Are First Aiders allowed to give tablets and medications to casualties?
Cyanide Poisoning What is the first aid treatment for cyanide poisoning?
Appointed PersonsWhat
is an “Appointed Person”?
Can
Appointed Persons perform first aid, eg CPR? Are
Appointed Persons required to take an approved training course
Click Here to book an OPTIMUM Appointed Persons First Aid course.
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| ITEM | Number
Of Employees |
||
1 |
2-10 |
11-50 |
|
| Individually Wrapped Adhesive Dressings | 6 |
10 |
20 |
| Sterile Eye Pad with Attachment | 0 |
1 |
2 |
| Triangular Bandages | 2 |
3 |
6 |
| Large Unmedicated Sterile Dressings | 0 |
1 |
2 |
| Safety Pins | 6 |
6 |
12 |
| Medium Unmedicated Sterile Dressings | 1 |
3 |
6 |
| Extra Large Unmedicated Sterile Dressings | 1 |
2 |
3 |
| Disposable gloves | 1 |
1 |
2 |
| Guidance Card | 1 |
1 |
1 |
For purchase of any First Aid supplies Click Here
First Aid Equipment
What first aid equipment
should be provided?
Once an assessment of first aid needs has been carried out,
the findings can be used to decide what first aid equipment
should be provided in the workplace. The minimum level of
first aid equipment is a suitably stocked first aid box. The
assessment may indicate that additional materials and equipment
are required such as scissors, adhesive tape, disposable aprons,
resuscitation shields and individually wrapped, non-alcohol
based moist wipes. They may be put in a suitable first aid
container if there is room or stored separately.
If there is a need for items such as protective equipment where First Aiders may to enter dangerous atmospheres this should be provided. This should be securely stored near the first aid box, in the first aid room or the hazard area, as appropriate. Access to the equipment should be restricted to those trained in its use.
If mains tap water is not readily available for eye irrigation, at least one litre of sterile water or sterile normal saline (0.9%) in sealed, disposable containers should be provided. When the seal has been broken, the container should not be reused. The container should not be used beyond its expiry date. To order: Saline
First Aid Cover for the General Public
Do I need to make
first aid provision for members of the public, who visit my
premises?
The Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981 do not
oblige employers to provide first aid for members of the public.
However, the HSE strongly recommends that employers include
the public and others who visit their premises when making
their assessment of first aid needs.
Do the Health and
Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981 cover large events such
as concerts?
Only in so far as employers are responsible for providing
first aid for their employees. At an event, for example a
pop concert, it is the organiser's responsibility to ensure
that there is adequate first aid provision.
Travel First Aid, Remote and Lone Workers
I have sales people
who travel regularly and some work form home, what should
I do about first aid provision for them?
As an employer you are responsible for meeting the first aid
needs of your employees that work away from the main site.
Your assessment of first aid needs should determine whether:
- those who travel long distances or are continuously mobile, i.e. sales people should carry a personal first aid box;
- arrangements need to be made for employees who work in remote areas; and
- to provide other means of summoning help, such as a mobile phone, for employees who work alone.
For travel size first aid kits, click here
First Aid in Schools
How do the Health
and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981 relate to first aid
provision in schools?
As an employer the school is responsible for the provision
of appropriate first aid equipment and facilities and trained
First Aiders in respect of staff and teachers: schools are
workplaces. However, the Regulations do not oblige employers
to provide first aid for anyone else (e.g. children). Nevertheless,
the HSE strongly encourages schools to consider children and
visitors when carrying out their assessment of first aid needs
and to make provision for them.
Click here for First Aid for Childcarers© course, which is specific to the childcare environment.
First Aid Rooms
Do I need to provide
a room for first aid?
You should provide a suitable first aid room or rooms where
your assessment of first aid needs identifies this as necessary.
What should be
kept in the first aid room?
The room should contain essential first aid facilities and
equipment. Typical examples of these are:
- a sink with hot and cold running water;
- drinking water and disposable cups;
- soap and paper towels;
- a store for first aid materials;
- foot-operated refuse containers, lined with disposable yellow clinical waste bags or a container for the safe disposal of clinical waste;
- a couch with waterproof protection, clean pillows and blankets;
- a chair;
- a telephone or other communication equipment;
- a record book for recording incidents
where first aid has been given.
For a new Data Protection Compliant accident book, click here.
Who should have
access to the first aid room?
A first aid room should be reserved specifically for providing
first aid and your appointed person and/or first aider should
be given the responsibility for the room. It should be easily
accessible to stretchers and emergency personnel and be clearly
signposted and identified.
(First aid rooms should be easily identifiable by white lettering or a white cross on a green background).
For first aid signs, click here.
First Aid Signs
What signs should
I have?
All first aid boxes must have a white cross on a green background.
First Aid signs should be white writing on a green background.
These should be prominently displayed and completed with the
names of the designated people. First Aid boxes that are stored
in a cupboard must have a sign on the cupboard door.
Some First Aid boxes are orange, but still have a sign on the box which is white lettering and green background. These are used for outdoor activities, i.e. construction sites or childcare trips.
Where should I
put them?
The signs should be placed where they can be seen (not obstructed
from view) and easily identified.
First Aiders
How many First
Aiders do I need?
The table
provides some guidance on the number of First Aiders, depending
on the level of risk identified. There is no definitive answer
to the question as it will largely depend on the outcome of
your assessment of first aid needs. For advice please call
0800 5942134.
To book your own on-site training course Click Here
To book an open course Click Here
Can legal action
be taken against First Aiders?
It is very unlikely that any action would be taken against
a first aider who was using the first aid training they have
received. We cannot give any specific advice on this issue
as we are not lawyers. However, in our experience, First Aiders
are not sued for giving first aid, but many companies are
sued for a breach in health and safety legislation that resulted
in the injury requiring first aid.
Every case is unique and we would suggest you seek legal advice or check with your employer’s insurance broker on the first aid liability cover.
An example when a first aider may be sued: the casualty is hysterical and the first aider slaps across the face. This would be classed as “assault”, not first aid.
Does my employee
need to do any training to be a first aider?
Yes. If you have identified that your workplace needs First
Aiders, they must have completed an approved training course.
Click
Here to find a suitable course.
Record Keeping
Do I need to record
incidents requiring the attention of a first aider?
It is good practice to provide your First Aiders/appointed
persons with a book in which to record incidents that required
their attendance. The information kept can help you identify
accident trends, blackspots in the workplace and possible
areas for improvement in the control of health and safety
risks. It can also be used for reference in future first aid
needs assessments. This record book is not the same as the
statutory accident book though the two could be combined.
The statutory accident book changed on 31st December 2003
to incorporate the Data Protection Act. To get a new book
Click Here.
Useful information to record from any incident might include:
- date, time and place of incident;
- name and job of the injured or ill person;
- details of the injury/illness and what first aid was given;
- what happened to the person immediately afterwards (for example went home, went back to work, went to hospital);
- name and signature of the first aider or person dealing with the incident.
Who is responsible
for keeping the records?
It is usually the first aider or appointed person who looks
after the accident book. However, employers have overall responsibility.
Tablets and Medications
Are First Aiders
allowed to give tablets and medications to casualties?
First aid at work is the initial assistance given at the scene
of an accident or when presented with illness. It does not
include giving tablets or medications to treat illness and
these items should not be kept in the first aid box. However,
strictly speaking, there is no legal bar to employers making
such items available to employees, if the assessment of first
aid needs indicates they should be provided. There is no objection
to paracetamol or aspirin being made available in the workplace.
First Aiders issuing these tablets should have a reasonable
understanding of what is involved.
Some employers choose to provide vending machines for dispensing paracetamol. These machines should not be located in areas where the public will have access to them.
Where employees carry their own medications, such as inhalers for asthma or 'Epipens', which contain injectable adrenaline for the treatment of severe allergic reactions (anaphylactic shock), the first aider's role is limited to helping the employee to do so and contacting the emergency services as appropriate.
Medicines legislation restricts the administration of injectable medicines. Unless self administered, they may only be administered by or in accordance with the instructions of a doctor (eg by a nurse). However, in the case of adrenaline there is an exemption to this restriction which means in an emergency, a suitably trained lay person is permitted to administer it by injection for the purpose of saving life. The use of an Epipen to treat anaphylactic shock falls into this category. Therefore, First Aiders may administer an Epipen if they are dealing with a life threatening emergency in a casualty who has been prescribed and is in possession of an Epipen and where the first aider is trained to use it.
Cyanide Poisoning
What is the first aid treatment for cyanide poisoning?
| OVERALL OUTLINE OF FIRST AID TREATMENT FOR CYANIDE POISONING | |
| Speed is of the essence. Obtain immediate medical aid. | |
| Protect yourself and the casualty from further exposure during decontamination and treatment. | |
| Inhalation: | Remove casualty from exposure, rest and keep warm. Oxygen should be administered if available. If breathing has stopped give artificial ventilations using oxygen and a suitable mechanical device such as a bag and mask. Do not use mouth to mouth resuscitation. |
| Skin contact: | Remove all contaminated clothing immediately. Wash the skin with plenty of water. Treat casualty as for inhalation. |
| Eye contact: | Immediately irrigate with water for at least twenty minutes. Treat casualty as for inhalation. |
| Ingestion: | Do not give anything by mouth. Treat casualty as for inhalation. |
There is no recommended use of any antidote in the first aid treatment of cyanide poisoning. Employers will not be required to keep supplies of an antidote.
The Law
People at work can suffer injury or illness. It doesn't matter whether this is caused by their work or not - what is important is that arrangements have been made to ensure people receive immediate attention if they are injured or taken ill at work. The initial management of injuries and illness, until medical aid is available, could make a difference between life and death.
This page draws together mainstream advice on all aspects of First Aid -including the number of first aiders needed, what should be kept in a first aid box, first aid offshore. The information and guidance available on this site is for everyone - employers, employees and First Aiders. To keep abreast of developments in First Aid join our Members List and benefit from:
- Early Birds Discounts on courses
- Notification of new Product Releases
- E-mail newsletter with updates on First Aid related topics
- Ask the First Aider” Updates – a continuous professional development programme that keeps you abreast of changes in First Aid techniques
The Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981 require that in order to provide first aid to their employees who are injured or become ill at work, employers must have adequate and appropriate equipment, facilities and personnel. Regulation 3(2) states that:
- For this purpose a person shall not be suitable unless he has undergone such training and has such qualifications as the is approved.
Detailed information can be found in the Approved Code of Practice and Guidance: First Aid at Work. The Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981 L74.