First aid at work

What provisions are required at work?

What should a first aid kit contain?

Is first aid training needed?

References

A recent survey by St John Ambulance brought to light that when faced with an emergency situation, 60% of people wouldn’t know how to act. A portion of this 60% are probably employed and work regularly. If they don’t know how to deal with an emergency, then the welfare of their colleagues may be at further risk if injured. To combat this prospect, the organisation offer pocket sized first aid guides to encourage people to provide basic first aid in an emergency.

The First Aid Regulations (1981) provide an employer with an account of what they must legally provide in the workplace. The equipment available must be appropriate and adequate to accommodate any employee who becomes sick or injured at work. What is ‘appropriate and adequate’ however, may vary from one line of work to another. Depending on the work, a workplace may require trained first aiders, additional supplies in the first aid box, or even a first aid room. For example, an office job would not require as many precautions as working at an activity camp would. In an office, a first aid kit and appointed person may be seen as a suitable safety measure, yet in an adventure camp, a first aid room may be deemed necessary in case of more strenuous injuries.

What provisions are required at work?

Most importantly, there should be at least one suitably supplied first aid box on every work site. All first aid kits should be a green container with a white cross on the front, as this is the universal standard, allowing it to be easily distinguished and recognised by all members of staff. Ideally, first aid kits should be stored near hand washing facilities for hygiene reasons, should aid be required. Medicine or tablets of any sort should not be kept in the first aid box and must be clearly labelled.

What should a first aid kit contain?

There is no official list of what a first aid kit should be equipped with, only recommended guidelines of what employers should provide. The HSE’s list of suggested things to include is:

•    a leaflet giving general first aid advice (for example, the aforementioned St John Ambulance pocket guide),

•    twenty individually wrapped sterile plasters (hypoallergenic plasters may be required),

•    two sterile eye pads,

•    six safety pins,

•    four individually wrapped triangular bandages (sterile if possible)

•    two large individually wrapped unmedicated wound dressings

•    six medium sized individually wrapped unmedicated wound dressings

•    one pair of disposable gloves

This is general advice for a workplace with no special risk, however, risks at other workplaces may require the provision of eye wash, alcohol free cleansing wipes or medical tweezers.

Is first aid training needed?

An appointed person is a minimum requirement for the workplace. They do not have to have had formal first aid training, but they are obliged to look after the first aid equipment and call the emergency services if necessary. An appointed person is not a first aider, and thus should not endeavour to provide first aid they have not been trained to do. Although this is the minimum requirement, it is wise for the employer to train multiple members of staff as they see suitable in case of an emergency. Suitable training could consist of sending employees on a St John Ambulance training course (which is approved by the HSE). Any additional qualifications that may be appropriate to the line of work covered, such as annual refresher training, or training all staff in the relevant first aid may be beneficial to the company.

Regardless of what level of first aid a company sees fit, it is important that any information regarding first aid arrangements is made widely known and available to all employees should an emergency arise. For example, employees should know who the appointed person is, who, if anyone, is trained to give basic first aid and most importantly, where the first aid kit is kept.

Are any further requirements needed if you work in a public place?

By public place, the focus here is on places like shops and libraries- does a company need to be prepared for any emergency a civilian may suffer on the premises? First Aid Regulation state no legal duty to provide first aid for non-employees, yet it is strongly recommended that they are included in any companies first aid provision out of good will and peace of mind should the situation escalate.

References:

First Aid at Work The health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981 Appproved Code of Practice

www.hse.gov.uk