Do I need a first aider in my workplace?
People can suffer injuries or be taken ill in any workplace - it doesn’t matter whether the injury or illness is caused by the work they do. In the event that an accident or illness occurs, the individual should be given immediate attention and the emergency services called in serious cases. Every organisation should make arrangements to ensure this happens as it can save lives and prevent minor injuries becoming major ones. To what degree does your organisation need to have plans in place?
The Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981 require you to provide adequate and appropriate first aid equipment, facilities and people so your employees can be given immediate help if they are injured or taken ill at work. What is ‘adequate and appropriate’ will depend on the circumstances in your workplace and you should assess what your first aid needs are. The minimum first aid provision on any work site is:
- A suitably stocked first aid kit;
- An appointed person to take charge of first aid arrangements; and
- Information for employees about first aid arrangements.
Some small workplaces with low-level hazards may need only the minimum provision for first aid. But there are circumstances and factors that will mean you need greater provision. You, as an employer, are well placed to decide the provision you need.
Where your assessment of first aid needs identifies that a trained first aider is not required in your workplace, you should still appoint someone to take charge of first aid arrangements. This is the minimum requirement. Even in a small, low-hazard business where first aiders are not considered necessary, there is always the possibility that an accident or sudden illness may occur. It is therefore important that there is always someone available to take charge of these arrangements. The role of this appointed person includes looking after first aid equipment and facilities and calling the emergency services when required. They can also provide emergency cover where a first aider is absent due to unforeseen circumstances (annual leave does not count). An appointed person does not need first aid training. An appointed person is not necessary where there are an adequate number of appropriately trained first aiders.
What is a first aider?
A first aider is someone who has done training appropriate to the level identified in the needs assessment. This may be:
- First aid at work (FAW);
- Emergency first aid at work (EFAW); or
- Some other first aid training appropriate to the particular circumstances of your workplace.
The findings of your first aid needs assessment will identify whether first aiders should be trained in FAW, EFAW, or some other appropriate level of training. Other appropriate levels of training may have specialist or additional content appropriate to your particular circumstances. To help keep their basic skills up to date, it is strongly recommended that your first aiders undertake annual refresher training.
How many appointed persons or first aiders do I need?
There are no hard and fast rules on exact numbers. It will depend on the circumstances of your workplace. You should assess your first aid needs in the light of your particular circumstances. Where there are special circumstances, such as shift work or sites with several buildings, there may need to be more first aid personnel. You will also need to increase your provision to cover for absences.
You have to inform your employees of the arrangements you have put in place for first aid. Putting up notices telling staff who and where the first aiders or appointed persons are, and where the first aid box is, will usually be enough.
For further information download the HSE’s first aid Q&A.
Training
International Workplace’s First Aid at Work (Level Three) training course provides the knowledge, understanding and skills required to deal with a range of illnesses and injuries requiring first aid in the workplace. This course meets the legislative criteria and enables learners to become HSE-approved, fully qualified first aiders in the workplace.
Our Emergency First Aid at Work (Level Three) training course provides learners with the essential skills and knowledge to deal with emergency first aid situations in the workplace.
Our First Aid Refresher training course is a short refresher course for learners who have qualified in either first aid at work (level three) and/or emergency first aid at work (level two), to ensure individuals remain qualified and up-to-date on current legislative guidelines.
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