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Frequently Asked Questions


Frequently Asked Questions Click on the question below Appointed persons Defibrillators First aid box First aid equipment First aid for the public First aid for traveling, remote and lone workers First aid in schools First aid rooms First aid signs First aiders Infection Insurance Record keeping Tablets and medication How Many First Aiders do I need (GO TO employers info page) What should I consider when assessing first-aid needs (GO TO employers info page) suggested numbers of first aid personnel (GO TO employers info page) What is an appointed person? When an employer’s first aid needs assessment identifies that a first aider is not necessary, the minimum requirement is to appoint a person to: · take charge when someone is injured or ill, including calling an ambulance if required; · look after the first aid equipment, eg restocking the first aid box. Can appointed persons perform first aid, eg cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)? Appointed persons should not attempt to give first aid for which they have not been trained. Are appointed persons required to take an approved training course in first aid? There are no legal requirements for appointed persons to have any approved training in order to carry out their responsibilities. However, there are courses available for appointed persons. Defibrillators Should I provide a defibrillator for use in the workplace? As an employer, you will need to carry out an assessment of first aid needs appropriate to the circumstances of the workplace. There is no legal bar to employers making a defibrillator available in the workplace if the assessment of first aid needs indicates such equipment is required. The Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981 do not prevent someone who is specially trained from taking action beyond the initial management of a casualty. It is important that the person who will be required to use a defibrillator, usually a first aider, is appropriately trained. Courses in the use of defibrillators are available. Training providers offering such courses do not need approval from HSE for this purpose.

Click on the question below

Appointed persons
Defibrillators
First aid box
First aid equipment
First aid for the public
First aid for traveling, remote and lone workers
First aid in schools
First aid rooms
First aid signs
First aiders
Infection
Insurance
Record keeping
Tablets and medication
How Many First Aiders do I need (GO TO employers info page)
What should I consider when assessing first-aid needs (GO TO employers info page)
suggested numbers of first aid personnel (GO TO employers info page)

What is an appointed person?

When an employer’s first aid needs assessment identifies that a first aider is not necessary, the minimum requirement is to appoint a person to:

· take charge when someone is injured or ill, including calling an ambulance if required;

· look after the first aid equipment, eg restocking the first aid box.

Can appointed persons perform first aid, eg cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)?

Appointed persons should not attempt to give first aid for which they have not been trained.

Are appointed persons required to take an approved training course in first aid?

There are no legal requirements for appointed persons to have any approved training in order to carry out their responsibilities. However, there are courses available for appointed persons.

Defibrillators

Should I provide a defibrillator for use in the workplace?

As an employer, you will need to carry out an assessment of first aid needs appropriate to the circumstances of the workplace. There is no legal bar to employers making a defibrillator available in the workplace if the assessment of first aid needs indicates such equipment is required.

The Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981 do not prevent someone who is specially trained from taking action beyond the initial management of a casualty. It is important that the person who will be required to use a defibrillator, usually a first aider, is appropriately trained. Courses in the use of defibrillators are available. Training providers offering such courses do not need approval from HSE for this purpose.

Information for Employers

How Many First Aiders do I need?

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) requires the employer to conduct a First Aid Needs Risk Assessment. The relevant regulations are the Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981.

In assessing need, employers need to consider:

workplace hazards and risks;
the size of the organisation;
the organisation's history of accidents;
the nature and distribution of the workforce;
the remoteness of the site from emergency medical services;
the needs of traveling, remote and lone workers;
employees working on shared or multi-occupied sites;
annual leave and other absences of first aiders and appointed persons.


First aid box What should a first aid box in the workplace contain? There is no mandatory list of contents for first aid boxes. Deciding what to include should be based on the employer’s assessment of first aid needs. A suggested list of contents, where there is no special risk in the workplace, is given in the free leaflet: First aid at work: your questions answered, available to download for the HSE’s website at www.hse.gov.uk Equivalent but different items will be considered acceptable. Any items in the first aid box that have passed their expiry date should be disposed of safely. In general, tablets and medication should not be kept in the first aid box. A suggested list of contents for traveling first aid kits is included in the Approved Code of Practice and Guidance: First aid at work. The Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981 L74, available to download for the HSE’s website at www.hse.gov.uk First aid equipment What first aid equipment should be provided? 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 level of first aid equipment 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 container if there is room or stored separately. There may be a need for items such as protective equipment where first aiders may have to enter dangerous atmospheres. This should be securely stored near the first aid box, in the first aid room or the hazard area, as appropriate. Access to the equipment should be restricted to those trained in its use. 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, the container should not be reused. The container should not be used beyond its expiry date. First aid for the public Do I need to make first aid provision for members of the public? The Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981 do not oblige employers to provide first aid for members of the public. However, many organisations provide a service for others, for example places of entertainment, fairgrounds and shops, and HSE strongly recommends that employers include the public and others on their premises when making their assessment of first aid needs. Further information about this issue can be obtained by calling our information like on Do the Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981 cover large events such as concerts? Only in so far as employers are responsible for providing first aid for their employees. At an event, for example a pop concert, it is the organiser’s responsibility to ensure that there is adequate first aid provision. HSE has produced guidance, The event safety guide, which provides further details. First aid for traveling, remote and lone workers I have employees who travel regularly or work elsewhere, what should I do about first aid provision for them? Employers are responsible for meeting the first aid needs of their employees working away from the main site. Employers’ assessment of first aid needs should determine whether: · those who travel long distances or are continuously mobile should carry a personal first aid box; · special arrangements need to be made for employees who work in remote areas; and · to provide other means of summoning help, such as a mobile phone, for employees who work alone. First aid in schools How do the Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981 relate to first aid provision in schools? Employers are responsible for the provision of appropriate first aid equipment and facilities and trained first aiders in respect of their employees – this includes schools, as they are workplaces. However, the Regulations do not oblige employers to provide first aid for anyone else. Nevertheless, HSE strongly encourages employers to consider others when carrying out their assessment of first aid needs and to make provision for them. The Department for Education and Skills (DfES) has produced a booklet: Guidance on First Aid for Schools. This can be downloaded from the DfES website: www.dfes.gov.uk. First aid rooms Do I need to provide a room for first aid? You should provide a suitable first aid room or rooms where your assessment of first aid needs identifies this as necessary. What should be kept in the first aid room? The room should contain essential first aid facilities and equipment. Typical examples of these are: · a sink with hot and cold running water; · drinking water and disposable cups; · soap and paper towels; · a store for first aid materials; · foot-operated refuse containers, lined with disposable yellow clinical waste bags or a container for the safe disposal of clinical waste; · a couch with waterproof protection, clean pillows and blankets; · a chair; · a telephone or other communication equipment; · a record book for recording incidents where first aid has been given. Who should have access to the first aid room? If possible, the room should be reserved specifically for providing first aid and your designated person (first aider or appointed person) should be given responsibility for the room. It should be easily accessible to stretchers and be clearly signposted and identified. First aid signs What signs should I have? All first aid boxes must have a white cross on a green background. Similarly, first aid rooms should be easily identifiable by white lettering or a white cross on a green background. Where should I put them? The signs should be placed where they can be seen (not obstructed from view) and easily identified. First aiders How many first aiders do I need? There is no definitive answer. It will largely depend on the outcome of your assessment of first aid needs. The table on this website entitled ‘advice for employers’ will assist you. Can legal action be taken against first aiders? It is very unlikely that any action would be taken against a first aider who was using the first aid training they have received. It is recommended that you seek legal advice, or advice from your employer’s insurance brokers on whether their policies cover first aiders’ liability. Does my employee need to do any training to be a first aider? Yes. If you have identified that your workplace needs first aiders, they must have completed a first aid at work course provided by an HSE approved training organisation. Infection When dealing with a casualty, how can the risk of cross infection be minimised? First aiders should have a reasonable understanding of the importance of personal hygiene in first aid procedures. This will help to prevent cross infection between the first aider and casualty. Particular concerns have been raised about the possibility of first aiders becoming infected by a blood-borne virus (including HIV, hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus) while performing first aid. HSE’s free leaflet: Blood-borne viruses in the workplace, addresses this issue and advises on steps that can be taken to reduce the risk of infection. Available from www.HSE.gov.uk Can an individual with a blood-borne virus (HIV, hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus) become a first aider in the workplace? An individual with a blood-borne virus (BBV) can be consid

First aid box

What should a first aid box in the workplace contain?

There is no mandatory list of contents for first aid boxes. Deciding what to include should be based on the employer’s assessment of first aid needs. A suggested list of contents, where there is no special risk in the workplace, is given in the free leaflet: First aid at work: your questions answered, available to download for the HSE’s website at www.hse.gov.uk Equivalent but different items will be considered acceptable. Any items in the first aid box that have passed their expiry date should be disposed of safely.

In general, tablets and medication should not be kept in the first aid box.

A suggested list of contents for traveling first aid kits is included in the Approved Code of Practice and Guidance: First aid at work. The Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981 L74, available to download for the HSE’s website at www.hse.gov.uk

First aid equipment

What first aid equipment should be provided?

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 level of first aid equipment 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 container if there is room or stored separately.

There may be a need for items such as protective equipment where first aiders may have to enter dangerous atmospheres. This should be securely stored near the first aid box, in the first aid room or the hazard area, as appropriate. Access to the equipment should be restricted to those trained in its use.

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, the container should not be reused. The container should not be used beyond its expiry date.

First aid for the public

Do I need to make first aid provision for members of the public?

The Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981 do not oblige employers to provide first aid for members of the public. However, many organisations provide a service for others, for example places of entertainment, fairgrounds and shops, and HSE strongly recommends that employers include the public and others on their premises when making their assessment of first aid needs. Further information about this issue can be obtained by calling our information like on

Do the Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981 cover large events such as concerts?

Only in so far as employers are responsible for providing first aid for their employees. At an event, for example a pop concert, it is the organiser’s responsibility to ensure that there is adequate first aid provision. HSE has produced guidance, The event safety guide, which provides further details.

First aid for traveling, remote and lone workers

I have employees who travel regularly or work elsewhere, what should I do about first aid provision for them?

Employers are responsible for meeting the first aid needs of their employees working away from the main site. Employers’ assessment of first aid needs should determine whether:

· those who travel long distances or are continuously mobile should carry a personal first aid box;

· special arrangements need to be made for employees who work in remote areas; and

· to provide other means of summoning help, such as a mobile phone, for employees who work alone.

First aid in schools

How do the Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981 relate to first aid provision in schools?

Employers are responsible for the provision of appropriate first aid equipment and facilities and trained first aiders in respect of their employees – this includes schools, as they are workplaces. However, the Regulations do not oblige employers to provide first aid for anyone else. Nevertheless, HSE strongly encourages employers to consider others when carrying out their assessment of first aid needs and to make provision for them.

The Department for Education and Skills (DfES) has produced a booklet: Guidance on First Aid for Schools. This can be downloaded from the DfES website: www.dfes.gov.uk.

First aid rooms

Do I need to provide a room for first aid?

You should provide a suitable first aid room or rooms where your assessment of first aid needs identifies this as necessary.

What should be kept in the first aid room?

The room should contain essential first aid facilities and equipment. Typical examples of these are:

· a sink with hot and cold running water;

· drinking water and disposable cups;

· soap and paper towels;

· a store for first aid materials;

· foot-operated refuse containers, lined with disposable yellow clinical waste bags or a container for the safe disposal of clinical waste;

· a couch with waterproof protection, clean pillows and blankets;

· a chair;

· a telephone or other communication equipment;

· a record book for recording incidents where first aid has been given.

Who should have access to the first aid room?

If possible, the room should be reserved specifically for providing first aid and your designated person (first aider or appointed person) should be given responsibility for the room. It should be easily accessible to stretchers and be clearly signposted and identified.

First aid signs

What signs should I have?

All first aid boxes must have a white cross on a green background. Similarly, first aid rooms should be easily identifiable by white lettering or a white cross on a green background.

Where should I put them?

The signs should be placed where they can be seen (not obstructed from view) and easily identified.

First aiders

How many first aiders do I need?

There is no definitive answer. It will largely depend on the outcome of your assessment of first aid needs. The table on this website entitled ‘advice for employers’ will assist you.

Can legal action be taken against first aiders?

It is very unlikely that any action would be taken against a first aider who was using the first aid training they have received. It is recommended that you seek legal advice, or advice from your employer’s insurance brokers on whether their policies cover first aiders’ liability.

Does my employee need to do any training to be a first aider?

Yes. If you have identified that your workplace needs first aiders, they must have completed a first aid at work course provided by an HSE approved training organisation.

Infection

When dealing with a casualty, how can the risk of cross infection be minimised?

First aiders should have a reasonable understanding of the importance of personal hygiene in first aid procedures. This will help to prevent cross infection between the first aider and casualty.

Particular concerns have been raised about the possibility of first aiders becoming infected by a blood-borne virus (including HIV, hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus) while performing first aid. HSE’s free leaflet: Blood-borne viruses in the workplace, addresses this issue and advises on steps that can be taken to reduce the risk of infection. Available from www.HSE.gov.uk

Can an individual with a blood-borne virus (HIV, hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus) become a first aider in the workplace?

An individual with a blood-borne virus (BBV) can be consid