FEATURE


Deborah Williams CMIOSH RMaPS at Compass Ltd. Deborah specialises in assisting private sector organisations within the construction, waste management and extractive industries.


01257 482256 | dwilliams@compass-ms.co.uk HEALTH & SAFETY First aid – your responsibilities


EVERY employer must face the simple fact that people may suff er injuries or be taken ill while at work. Whet her or not the illness or injury is work related, the employer needs to ensure they are given immediate attention and, in serious cases, that an ambulance is called. This action may save lives and prevent minor injuries from becoming major ones.


The Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981 require employers to provide adequate and appropriate fi rst- aid equipment, facilities and people so 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 of the workplace and the outcome of your fi rst-aid needs assessment (see below).


The minimum fi rst-aid provision at any workplace is:


• A suitably stocked fi rst-aid kit


• An appointed person to take charge of fi rst-aid arrangements; and


• Information for employees about fi rst-aid arrangements.


Some small workplaces with low-level hazards may need only the minimum provision for fi rst aid. But there are circumstances and factors that could mean greater provisions would be needed. These include unusual hazards in the workplace, a large number of employees, any workers who are inexperienced or have a history of ill health, access for emergency services, proximity to local hospitals and any non-employees including members of the public visiting the workplace.


There is no mandatory list of items that should be in a fi rst-aid box; this would depend on the fi rst-aid needs assessment. As a guide, where workplace hazards are low, a suggested minimum stock of fi rst-aid items would be:


• a leafl et giving general guidance on fi rst aid (eg, HSE’s leafl et Basic advice on fi rst aid at work);


46 SHWM March, 2019


• 20 individually wrapped sterile plasters (of assorted sizes), appropriate to the type of work;


• two sterile eye pads;


• four individually wrapped triangular bandages, preferably sterile;


• six safety pins;


• two large, individually wrapped, sterile, unmedicated wound dressings;


• six medium-sized, individually wrapped, sterile, unmedicated wound dressings; and


• at least three pairs of disposable gloves


It is recommended that tablets or medicines are not kept in a fi rst-aid kit.


Even if the first-aid needs assessment identifies that a trained first-aider is not needed in the workplace, an appointed person should take charge of the first-aid arrangements. This is the minimum requirement.


The role of this appointed person includes looking after fi rst-aid equipment and


facilities and calling the emergency services when required. They can also provide emergency cover where a fi rst- aider is absent. An appointed person does not need fi rst aid training.


A fi rst-aider is someone who has done training appropriate to the level identifi ed in the need assessment. This may be fi rst aid at work (FAW); emergency fi rst aid at work (EFAW) or some other fi rst-aid training appropriate to the particular circumstances of your workplace. To keep their skills up-to-date, it is recommended that fi rst-aiders undertake annual refresher training.


Employers need to inform their employees of the arrangements in place for fi rst-aid. Putting up notices telling staff who the fi rst-aiders or appointed persons are, and where the fi rst-aid box is, will usually be enough.


For more information or assistance in carrying out a fi rst-aid needs assessment please email: dwilliams@compass-ms.co.uk


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