FAQs about First Aid

A list of commonly asked questions about first aid.

What does my employer have to do to comply with first aid at work regulations? What is the legal requirement for first aid training

Your employer is expected to have:

• completed a first-aid needs assessment;
• ensured that there is either an appointed person to take charge of first-aid arrangements or, if necessary, there are appropriate numbers of suitably trained first-aiders;
• ensured there are adequate facilities and a suitable stocked first-aid box;
• provided you with information about the first-aid arrangements.

Is annual first aid refresher training a mandatory requirement?

No. It is strongly recommended to employers to help qualified first aiders maintain their basic skills and keep up to date with any changes in first-aid procedures. The HSE reduced the initial qualification from 4 to 3 days in 2009 to make the annual refresher more manageable. This course has proved incredibly popular, it gives confidence to first aiders. Companies are finding that it is much easier to retain first aiders when they are sure that they know what to do in an emergency. Have a look at our flow chart for more information.

The HSE say that employers should also encourage first-aiders to regularly review their course manual and any other instructional materials and allocate them time to do this. It will further help to maintain their first-aid skills.

What first-aid equipment should be provided in a workplace?

Once an assessment of first-aid needs has been carried out, the findings can be used to decide what first-aid equipment should be provided in the workplace. The minimum requirement is a suitably stocked first-aid box. The assessment may indicate that additional materials and equipment are required such as scissors, adhesive tape, disposable aprons and individually wrapped, moist wipes. They may be put in the first-aid box or stored separately. For help and advice with your assessment please contact the office on 01234 356980

If mains tap water is not readily available for eye irrigation, at least one litre of sterile water or sterile normal saline (0.9%) in sealed, disposable containers should be provided. When the seal has been broken, containers should not be reused. Containers should not be used beyond their expiry date.

How many first-aiders do I need?

The findings of your first-aid needs assessment will help you decide how many first-aiders are required. There are no hard and fast rules on exact numbers of first aiders needed and you will need to take into account all the relevant circumstances of your particular workplace. Please click here for the HSE guidance or call is and ask for some free advice on first aid.

How do I get a replacement first aid  Certificate?

Please contact the office on 01234 356980. A replacement first aid certificate costs £5 + VAT but it is free if sent to your new employer. Emailed copies are also free.

Do I need to record any incidents requiring the attention of a first-aider?

It is good practice to provide your first-aiders and appointed persons with a book in which to record incidents they attend. The information can help you identify accident trends and possible areas for improvement in the control of health and safety risks. It can be used for reference in future first-aid needs assessments. The record book is not the same as the statutory accident book though the two might be combined. Employers, self-employed people and those in control of premises have a duty to report some accidents and incidents at work under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995 (RIDDOR).

What first aid incident information should be recorded?

Useful information to record includes:

• the date, time and place of the incident;
• the name and job of the injured or ill person;
• details of the injury/illness and what first aid was given;
• details about what happened to the person immediately afterwards (eg went back to work, went home, went to hospital); and
• the name and signature of the first-aider or person dealing with the incident.

Who is responsible for keeping the records of first aid incidents or accidents?

It is usually the first-aider or appointed person who looks after the accident book. However, employers have overall responsibility.

Where can I get more help with my First Aid?

We would be delighted to give you free help and advice about all things first aid. Call us on 01234 356980 and ask to speak to Joanna.

What is an Appointed Person?

Where an employer’s assessment of first-aid needs identifies that a designated first-aider is not required, the minimum requirement for an employer is to appoint a person to take charge of the first-aid arrangements, including looking after the equipment and facilities, and calling the emergency services when required. Arrangements should be made for an appointed person to be available to undertake these duties at all times when people are at work. 79 Even in small, low-hazard organisations where first-aiders are considered unnecessary, there is always the possibility of an accident or sudden illness. Therefore, it is important that someone is always available to take charge of the first-aid arrangements, including looking after the equipment and facilities and calling the emergency services when required. In the absence of first-aiders, employers should appoint a person for this purpose. Appointed persons are not necessary where there is an adequate number of first-aiders.

To fulfil their role, appointed persons do not need first-aid training, though they may benefit from completion of an EFAW course (or other suitable alternative). Given this, and the remaining possibility of an accident or sudden illness, rather than providing appointed persons, employers may wish to consider providing qualified first-aiders.

The Regulations allow for a person to be appointed to provide emergency cover in the absence of first-aiders but only where the absence is due to exceptional, unforeseen and temporary circumstances. Absences such as annual leave do not count. If the first-aid needs assessment indicates that first-aiders are required, they should be available whenever the need arises. This means that at all times during the working day there should be a first-aider on duty.

Duty of employer to inform his employees of the arrangements made in connection with first-aid

An employer should inform his employees of the arrangements that have been made in connection with the provision of first-aid, including the location of equipment, facilities and personnel.

First-aid arrangements operate efficiently in an emergency only where everyone in the workplace is aware of them, and understands and accepts them. One way to achieve this is to develop procedures for informing staff in consultation with employees or safety representatives. They should detail first-aid provision and explain how employees will be informed of the location of first-aid equipment, facilities and personnel. The procedures should also identify who will provide relevant first-aid information to new and transferred employees. You may have decided it is helpful to have people trained to identify and understand mental ill health symptoms who are able to support someone who is experiencing a mental health issue. Where this is the case, it is important that everyone is aware of the:

■ people involved in your first-aid provision;

■ different types of incident to which they have the training or competence to respond.

A simple method of keeping employees informed is to display first-aid notices. The information needs to be clear and easily understood by all employees. Employers should also take steps to cater for those with reading or language difficulties. At least one notice in a prominent position at each site, including the base for travelling employees, should give enough opportunity for employees to see them. The inclusion of first-aid information during induction training will help make sure new employees are made aware of first-aid arrangements.