First Aid can save lives and prevent minor injuries becoming major ones.  There have been findings that around 60% of people who die through injury in the UK could potentially be saved by First Aid action.

• It only takes 90 seconds for a person to die with a severe bleed
• A person who stops breathing can die within 3 minutes.

At First Rate Training we have supported our clients when they have been completing a First Aid Needs Assessment.  One of the main questions we get asked is, how many First Aiders the business legally requires to be compliant!  However, we focus on how many First Aiders the business requires keeping people safe.

So here’s the official statement from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE):

‘The Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981 require employers to provide adequate and appropriate equipment, facilities and personnel to ensure their employees receive immediate attention if they are injured or taken ill at work. These Regulations apply to all workplaces including those with less than five employees and to the self-employed.’

No matter how large or small the company is, it is their responsibility to ensure that if any incidents happen which require immediate attention, they receive the correct care.  HSE explain that failure to do so can result in a casualty’s death, and they also state:

“HSE will prosecute in cases where there is a significant risk, a disregard for established standards or persistent poor compliance with the law.”

As The Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981 explains

ALL employers have a legal duty to ensure their employee receive immediate attention if they are injured or taken ill at work

It is also important that an organisation have the correct level of trained people. For example what happens if you only have one first aider onsite, and they require the assistance?

As well as First Aiders, it is essential that First Aid provisions are available at ALL times.  The importance here is ensuring that the kit is regularly checked and maintained.  Making sure you have first aiders available at all times is the part that will take some further consideration.

When carrying out a First Aid Needs Assessment, the organisation requires taking into account their workplace, workforce, and the hazards and risks that may be present. These results will assist you in making a decision on what First Aid requirements you need to put in place.

The Nature of the Workplace

All organisations are different, and as expected, if the working environment is hazardous, then more staff is required to be trained.

Here’s a table HSE have supplied with examples of injury requiring First Aid.

Other factors to take into account, is if you have any inexperienced staff members, young workforce, are the majority of the team older, do you have any employees with disabilities, or additional health problems.  These can influence all your First Aid Needs.

History of Accidents

Has the organisation got a history of accidents, and what illness/injuries have happened?

The size of the organisation

How many people do you have onsite, and the higher the number the likely chance of a higher number of first aiders required

Persons who travel, are remote or lone workers

These people are working and travelling alone, and will require personal First Aid Kits along with the knowledge of how to use them.

Working Patterns – Shift workers?

People working different shift patterns, means organisations have to ensure there are first aiders available for each shift.

Also to be mindful that there is more than one First Aider, as we touched on previously, if the person injured is the First Aider, who is going to help?

Is one First Aider enough on a shift?

Locations

If your organisation has different locations, such as different branches or work on different floors. There must be a means to contact the emergency service, and will have to ensure there is First Aid provisions on each site.

Annual Leave/ Absence

In the event of short notice absence or planned annual leave, you need to ensure you have adequate First Aid provisions.

Remember, the First Aider who is covering requires being on the same level. For example, a person who has completed a 1 Day Emergency First Aid at Work can not cover the First Aider who has completed the 3 Day First Aid at Work.

First Aid for “non employees”

Suppliers, customers and any other non employee onsite will also be part of your First Aid provisions.

For example, if a customer was to trip or slip and First Aid is required, they are the organisations responsibility.

Click here for more information regarding the First Aids Need Assessment from the HSE.

At First Rate Training, we offer Onsite, Online and Open Course Training to cater for all organisations requirements. Click here for more information on our First Aid Courses.

Do you still have questions regarding the above? First Rate Training is happy to help and talk through your options.

Contact us on 01792 814700 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.