First aid is an important aspect of any busines. It ensures that employees and customers are safe and protected in case of an emergency.
There are specific first aid requirements that businesses must meet in order to comply with health and safety regulations, these are The Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981. These regulations requires that all employers provide adequate and appropriate first aid equipment, facilities and personnel at their workplace. This includes a designated first aid room or area, as well as trained first aiders on site. The number of first aiders required will depend on the size and type of business, as well as the potential hazards present in the workplace.
Types of First Aider
There are several different types of first aiders which you may have come across:
Appointed Person: A person responsible for providing basic first aid in the workplace and can administer basic first aid treatments.
Emergency First Aider: A person who has completed an Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW) course and is able to provide basic first aid in an emergency situation.
First Aider: A person who has completed a First Aid at Work (FAW) course and is able to provide a wider range of first aid treatments.
How do I know what I need?
When deciding the type of first aider required in a workplace it will depend on the type of work being carried out and the hazards present. This should be determined by a first aid needs risk assessment.
So, as well as providing first aid equipment and trained people, businesses must also have a written first aid policy in place. This may be a part of your overall health and safety policy. The policy should outline the procedures for dealing with accidents and illnesses, including emergency evacuation and the procedures for calling for medical assistance.
How often do i need refresher training?
Employers are legally obliged to ensure that their first aiders are competent and have the necessary knowledge and skills to provide first aid in the workplace. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) recommends that first aid training be refreshed every three years. This is because first aid knowledge and techniques can change over time, and it is important for first aiders to stay up to date with the latest information and best practices.
It’s a good idea for businesses to conduct regular first aid training for all employees, regardless of their role or the size of the company. This will ensure that all employees are able to respond quickly and effectively in the event of an emergency.
First aid kit contents
A first aid kit should contain a variety of items to help provide basic first aid in case of an emergency. what you include in your first aid kit will depend on the type of workplace or environment in which it is used. Here is a list of some of the items that should typically be included in a first aid kit are:
- Adhesive bandages of various sizes
- Sterile gauze and adhesive tape
- Scissors and tweezers
- Disposable gloves
- Antiseptic wipes and cream
- Eye wash solution
- Instant cold packs
- Burns dressings
- Resuscitation face shield
- Triangular bandages
- Safety pins
- Disposable thermometer
- A first aid manual or guidance leaflet
This list is not exhaustive and you may wish to add some other items to your first aid kit depending on the nature of your workplace. Again refer to your first aid needs risk assessment.
Lastly, the first aid box should be regularly checked and restocked to ensure that the contents are in date and not expired.
You can find more information by visitng the HSE website or drop us a line and we can point you in the right direction support@kedlestonsafety
