Top Five Tips For First Aid At Work

Every employer in the UK is required by law to made adequate provision in the workplace for first aid should the need arise. The Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981 emphasise the need for adequate and appropriate equipment, facilities and personnel to be provided in case of workplace accidents. Complying with first aid legislation need not be difficult for employers to do, and there are a number of simple steps that can be followed to ensure these regulations are met and employee wellbeing is safeguarded.

1.) Carry out a thorough assessment of your company's first aid needs. These will vary according to the number of employees, risk posed to employees in everyday working activities, and any other special considerations such as employee fitness, special needs etc. Bodies such as the HSE can help with this assessment, and advise on any special measures to take regarding first aid provision.

2.) Appoint a designated first-aider. This is particularly important for larger companies (with more than 5 employees). This may be the employer or a specified employee, who should undergo a training course in basic first aid- these are provided by UK non-profit organisations such as SJA, who are HSE-approved and can provide certification of such training. The appointed first-aider should be available at all working times and be responsible for administering first aid.

3.) Keep an accident log. Ideally, this should be maintained by the designated first-aider and contain a record of all workplace incidents and their outcome (first aid, return to work, hospital admission etc.).

4.) Ensure that a first-aid box is provided, and kept suitably stocked. All items should be regularly checked for restocking requirements, and replaced regularly before expiry date is reached.

5.) Keep all employees informed of first aid arrangements. Good communication of procedures in place in advance is essential to save time in the event of an emergency in the workplace, and may save lives. A written record of expected procedures in case of accident is a valuable resource.

Of course, in workplaces which may pose greater hazards, such as industrial settings, further precautions may need to be taken. Specialised first aid kits for dealing with chemical burns etc. are available, and appointment of a trained first-aider may be necessary. However, for the majority of workplaces, following the above first aid advice should leave employers well on their way to safeguarding employee wellbeing, and meeting requirements for first aid in the workplace.

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