HSE requires employers and the self-employed to provide certain basics when considering their approach to health and safety within their own workspaces. One of the most basic requirements is to provide first aid facilities, for when it goes wrong.
Because each business is different, their approaches need to be as well, which is why a conducted first aid needs risk assessment is legally required, regardless of employee numbers, the record of which will provide evidence of due diligence.
What should the risk assessment consider?
- What harm could arise from work activities or, from use of worksites?
- The businesses OR the industry type’s known history of accidents?
- Whether the site or workers off-site are remotely situated from a hospital or ambulance service, work is conducted out of office hours, or if the site is spread out with more than one building, (requiring more than one first-aid kit);
- What type of workers are employed? (i.e., static, travelling, remote, lone workers);
- How large is the workforce?
- When is work conducted? (i.e., days, nights, 24/7);
- What type of first aider(s) are required (i.e., Appointed Persons (AP’s), First-aiders at Work (FAW), or Emergency First-aiders at Work (EFAW)) and how absences will be managed?;
- Whether first aid will be provided for non-employees (members of the public);
- Whether a worker’s mental health is likely to be affected by the work/working environment, making it appropriate to support a worker who is experiencing a mental health issue.
First aid kits in the workplace
The assessment then allows the responsible people to determine what a suitable and sufficient first-aid kit would look like, (a kit that could assist with the type of injuries that may occur within the workplace when conducting the activities required by the work). There is no one-size-fits-all; the need will depend on the nature of the work and its location.
As a guide, a basic first-aid kit for an office may have:
- A leaflet with general guidance on first aid (i.e., HSE’s leaflet Basic advice on first aid at work;
- Individually wrapped sterile plasters of assorted sizes;
- Sterile eye pads;
- Individually wrapped triangular bandages, preferably sterile;
- Safety pins;
- Large and medium-sized sterile, individually wrapped, unmedicated wound dressings;
- Disposable gloves.
The British Standard (BS 8599) is the safety standard to look for if buying a kit, although it is a standard to be met and not the law, HSE’s own guidance on the matter does differ slightly.
Checking the kits contents regularly is also important, i.e., are there enough plasters, are dated items still within their expiry date, do all items remain fit for purpose.
What about first aiders?
Employers must decide what competency requirement is needed for their first aiders. This will also depend on the nature of the work and its location.
Where appointed persons are deemed as what is needed, two would be the minimum requirement, planning for one’s absence. Where the risk of harm warrants it, a competent training provider will need to train first-aiders to be either:
- An emergency first-aider at work (EFAW) – at this level they are qualified to give emergency first-aid to someone who is injured or becomes ill while at work;
- A first aider at work (FAW) – qualified to EFAW level but can also apply first aid to a range of specific injuries and illnesses.
First aid training
Employers are responsible for ensuring that training providers meet their needs and are both competent and qualified. The management should also consider:
- What training is needed for all other employees, even if just to inform/instruct them how to access assistance as/if it is required;
- What signage is needed to be posted and where, to inform/remind the workforce or visitors to the site, where to go and who to see, in the event that first-aid assistance is required.
It is required that formal training is refreshed to a timetable, or the trained personnel are replaced at the point of need.
Other useful information
If the work is low risk (i.e., desk based) and conducted from home, then first aid needs are normally not expected to be other than that required domestically.
If the work involves a driver, then it may be prudent to provide a first-aid kit for the vehicle.
Self-employed persons are legally required to provide for their own first-aid needs, but where sharing a workspace or premises, joint arrangements can exist, normally through a written agreement, where someone takes responsibility to manage the provision.
To avoid accidents, causing harm and facing prosecution,
ensure your business complies with health and safety law in 2025, by
- Conducting risk assessments as and when required (prior to undertaking activities).
- Providing training regarding the risks involved and how to manage them.
- Supervising risk management, as necessary, until competence is demonstrated.
- Formally reviewing risk assessments and associated safe systems of work regularly.
- Updating training provided (toolbox talks, in-house or external formal training).
- Keeping/updating records of all the above processes.
Need help with any health & safety-related issues?
Do not hesitate to contact your health & safety consultancy.