First Aid at Work Guidance

INTRODUCTION

Under current legislation, employers must provide equipment and facilities for first aid that are adequate and appropriate, as well as an appropriate number of suitably trained and qualified persons to administer first aid.

RISK ASSESSMENT - FIRST AID REQUIREMENTS

Employers need to assess their first aid requirements bearing in mind their workplace, activities and work patterns, with the aim of reducing the effects of injuries or illnesses suffered at work.

The Enforcing Authority may ask the employer to demonstrate that first aid provision is adequate and appropriate for the workplace.

The following factors need to be considered in assessing first aid provision:

• The size of the organisation
• The history of accidents in the organisation
• The nature and distribution of the workforce
• Facilities for summoning an ambulance or other professional medical help
• The time for emergency medical services to reach the workplace
• Travelling, distant and lone workers' needs and requirements
• The needs of employees working on shared or multi-occupied sites
• Numbers of first-aid personnel required to cover the period of work activity including cover for annual leave and other absences of first aiders and appointed persons
• Level of training of first aid staff
• The hazards and risks in the workplace, including any specific hazards which may be outside the scope of normal first aid training
• Facilities available for first aid provision
• Methods of recording and communicating to staff the results of the first aid risk assessment.

FIRST AIDERS

The table below shows suggested numbers of first aiders or appointed persons who should be available at the workplace. These numbers are not a legal requirement - they are merely for guidance.

Selection of first-aiders

First aiders must be reliable and of good disposition. They should have good communication skills, possess the ability and aptitude for acquiring new knowledge and skills, and be able to handle physical and stressful emergency incidents and procedures.

Their position in the company should be such that they are able to leave their place of work immediately to respond to an emergency.

Training and qualifications

Employees nominated to be first aiders must complete a programme of competence-based training in first aid at work run by an organisation approved by the HSE.

Additional special training may be needed to deal with unusual risks and hazards. This special training may be separate from the basic course or an extension to it but does not need approval by the HSE. The first aid certificate awarded may include the special hazard training undertaken and this may be indicated on the certificate.

First aid certificates

A first aid at work certificate is only valid for three years and refresher training must be carried out before the original first-aid certificate expires. If the certificate of any first aider expires, he or she will have to attend a full course of training to regain their first aid at work certificate.

Refresher training

Employers can arrange refresher training up to three months before the expiry date of the certificate; the new first aid at work certificate will then run from the date of the expiry of the old certificate. It is advisable for employers to keep a record of first aiders in the company, together with their certification dates, in order to assist them in organising refresher training.

APPOINTED PERSONS

Where the assessment shows that a first aider is not required, at least one person must be appointed to take charge of the first aid arrangements such as calling the emergency services if required, and maintaining the facilities and equipment. Where there are no first aiders, there must always be an appointed person available whenever there are people at work.

In premises where there is a requirement for trained first aiders, an appointed person can only provide emergency cover in exceptional, unforeseen and temporary circumstances.

Training for appointed persons

Appointed persons are responsible for the first aid equipment and facilities, and should therefore know how to use these. They also have to take charge in the event of an emergency so emergency first aid training is strongly recommended. This training should cover:

• What to do in an emergency
• Cardio-pulmonary resuscitation
• First aid for the unconscious casualty
• Dealing with wounds and bleeding.

FIRST AID RESOURCES

Employers must provide the equipment, facilities and materials that will be needed to ensure an appropriate level of cover is available to employees at all relevant times.

First aid equipment boxes and facilities must be readily identifiable; all first aid containers should be marked with a white cross on a green background.

As a minimum, one first aid container with sufficient quantity of first aid materials must be made available for each worksite. Larger premises will require more than one container.

Siting and contents of first aid containers

First aid containers should be easily accessible and, where possible, near hand-washing facilities. The containers should be used only for first aid equipment. Tablets and medications must not be kept in them. First aid materials should be protected from damp and dust. The following is a list of minimum contents for a first aid container:

• A leaflet giving guidance on first aid (for example, HSE leaflet Basic advice on first aid at work)
• 20 individually wrapped sterile adhesive dressings (assorted sizes), appropriate to the type of work
• 2 sterile eye pads
• 4 individually wrapped triangular bandages (preferably sterile)
• 6 safety pins
• 6 medium-sized individually wrapped sterile unmedicated wound dressings - approximately 12cm x 12cm
• 2 large sterile individually wrapped unmedicated wound dressings - approximately 18cm x 18cm
• One pair of disposable gloves.

Equivalent materials to the above are considered acceptable.

Periodic inspection and replenishment

Frequent inspections of the first aid kits should be carried out. Stocks should be replenished as soon as possible after use, and ample back-up supplies should be kept on the company premises. Any first aid materials found to be out of date should be carefully discarded.

Additional resources such as scissors, adhesive tape, disposable aprons or individually wrapped moist wipes may be kept in the first aid container or readily available.

Special protective equipment

If the assessment highlights the need for such items as protective equipment, they must be securely stored next to first aid containers, in first aid rooms, or in the hazardous area itself. Only persons who have been trained to use these items may be allowed to use them.

Eye wash facilities

If there is a need for eye irrigation, and mains tap water is unavailable, at least a litre of sterile water or sterile normal saline solution (0.9%) in sealed, disposable containers should be provided. If the seal is broken, or the expiry date has been passed, the containers should be disposed of and not used.

Travelling first aid kits

The assessment should identify whether those who travel long distances or are continuously mobile should carry a personal first aid kit. Consideration should be given to making special arrangements for employees who work in remote areas such as issuing personal communicators, providing special training etc.

The following is a suggested contents list for a travelling first aid kit:

• A leaflet giving general guidance on first aid (for example, HSE leaflet Basic advice on first aid at work)
• 6 individually wrapped sterile adhesive dressings
• 1 large sterile unmedicated dressing - approximately 18cm x 18m
• 2 triangular bandages
• 2 safety pins
• individually wrapped moist cleansing wipes
• One pair of disposable gloves.

Equivalent materials to the above are considered acceptable.

First aid rooms

Where identified as necessary by the risk assessment, a suitable room should be made available for first aid purposes. It should contain sufficient first aid resources, be easily accessible to stretchers and, where possible, should only be used for administering first aid. The room should be identified with a sign using white lettering or symbols on a green background.

One person, usually a first aider, should be made responsible for the first aid room. A list of first aiders with their contact details should be displayed.

Although undesirable, it may be that the designated first aid room has to be shared with other activities. In this situation, the employer must consider the implications of the room being needed in an emergency and whether the activities in the room could be stopped immediately.

In addition to the contents of the first aid box, the first aid room should contain the following:

• Accident Record book
• Telephone
• Storage area for first aid materials
• Bed or couch with clean pillows and blankets
• Chair
• Waste bin and receptacle suitable for the safe disposal of clinical waste
• Sink with hot and cold running water - also drinking water and disposable cups
• Soap and some form of disposable paper towel.

First aid rooms should, where possible, be close to outside access in case a patient needs to be taken to hospital.

See also:

First Aid Policy.

First Aid - Assessment of Requirements Procedure.

First Aid Notice.