What are employer first aid requirements?

You may already be aware just how dangerous working in the trade sector can be and this is especially true when employees are operating large and heavy machinery. Keeping your employees safe is extremely important but accidents can still happen, even if health and safety procedures are in place. That’s why employer first aid requirements need to be carefully followed.

Today, we’ll be looking into your responsibilities as an employer, covering everything from first aid boxes to first aiders and the minimum requirements in the workplace. So, to protect your employees and prepare for any incidents, keep reading.

Why employer first aid requirements are so important

As a responsible employer, your priority should be your workers and their safety whilst doing their jobs. In fact, if there’s an accident or injury at your workplace you’ll need to act quickly. Applying appropriate first aid can save a life and stop any injuries from getting worse.

Below is a summary of why employer first aid requirements are so important:

• Accidents and mistakes can be dangerous and have life threatening effects on your employees.
• Any serious injuries can not only threaten your employees but may also affect the running of your company.
• Having a first aid kit can quickly help to treat many types of injury and prevent them from escalating.
• Having first aiders at work can also help to deal with serious injuries and potentially save a life.

What are the employer legal requirements for first aid?

In order to make sure that your employees have access to immediate care, there are a range of different employer legal requirements for first aid. These apply to businesses of any size, even if you only have one employee. So, what do you need to do as an employer?

Well, the Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations of 1981 mean employers must provide the right facilities, equipment, and personnel to give employees immediate treatment after falling ill or becoming injured.

In order to know exactly what needs to be in place, you’ll need to have an assessment carried out. This will help you to know if first aid boxes, first aiders and a first aid room are necessary, as well as how many of each you need.

When does an employer need to provide a first-aid box?

First aid boxes are an affordable way of providing supplies to help treat your employees in case of accident or injury. But when does an employer need to provide a first aid box? You may be surprised to know that all employers need to provide a first aid box, even in small companies.

As we mentioned above, a risk assessment needs to be completed to decide what the appropriate number of first aid boxes is. However, generally, if you have less than 25 employees, you’ll likely only need to provide one small kit. Your kit should contain things like plasters, dressings, gloves, scissors, foil blanket, micro tape and bandages.

What are the 2019 first aid at work regulations?

In 2019 new regulations came into place, meaning employers need to provide properly stocked first aid kits and trained first aiders to treat unwell or injured employees. Each first aider also needs to regularly renew any training. In addition, appropriate information about first aid arrangements for workers should be provided.

FAQs

Is it a legal requirement to have a first aider on site?

Having a first aider isn’t always a legal requirement, it really depends on the size of your company and number of employees. Following an assessment, employers must ensure that there are appropriate and adequate first aiders in the workplace.

If your business is small, it may not be essential to train a first aider, but you still need to put someone in charge of first aid arrangements in case of injury or illness.

How many first aiders do I need?

As we mentioned previously, this will depend on the results of the risk assessment you carry out. In addition, it’s essential that you properly document your assessment in case any authorities ask for evidence. The assessment will look at the level of risk in your workplace, the number of employees you have, whether your workers are full or part time and the distance to your local hospital.

It’s also important to plan ahead for times when your first aider is unwell or takes annual leave. Who will take over their role temporarily?

What are the minimum requirements for first aid kits in the workplace?

Again, this depends on the risk assessment results. These will dictate the number of first aid kits as well as the size of the kits you need. First aid kits are available in small, medium, and large versions and there are strict guidelines in place to make sure you have sufficient supplies for your employees.

For example, a high-risk company of less than 25 employees will need 1 large kit but a low-risk company of 75 employees will need 1 medium kit. For more information, please visit the D S Medical website.

Looking after your workers

While accidents in the workplace cannot be completely avoided, there are ways to minimise the risk to your employees. That’s why we created our guide that includes 5 ways to make your site secure and safety conscious. Using these tips you’re giving your employees the best chance possible to avoid common accidents and injuries.

Running a plumbing business? There are ways to improve the safety for your workers. Check out our guide covering 7 safety hazards that plumbers should be aware of.

Alternatively, if you work in construction, our guide covering the importance of construction site security is a brilliant resource.

No matter what your job entails, implementing security measures is essential. If you’re at all confused or unsure how best to protect your workers, why not consider joining Checkatrade? With access to our members community, you can speak to likeminded tradespeople and get advice about the right steps to take to improve employee safety.

Useful checklist for employer first aid requirements

• As an employer it’s up to you to put plans into place in case an employee is injured or unwell
• Carrying out a risk assessment will help you to determine the number of first aid kits, first aiders and first aid rooms your company needs
• Having sufficient first aid in place can help to save lives and minimise damage from injuries
• First aid kits are available in small, medium and large