First aid legislation (back to resources page)
Legislation
The health and safety (first aid) regulations 1981 require employers to provide adequate and appropriate equipment, facilities and personnel to enable first aid to be given to employees if they are injured or become ill at work.
However what is adequate depends on the type of workplace, the industry sector you work in and the number of staff you have.
The following sections are guidelines only and you can also refer to the HSE table
SME
If you work in a low risk sector for example an office, shop or library then the recommendations are as follows:
One first aider for 50-100 staff, with one additional first aider for every 100 employed.
If you have fewer than 50 staff, then the recommendation is for one appointed person.
If you work in a medium risk sector such as assembly work, warehousing, light engineering or food processing then the recommendations are as follows:
One first aider for 20-70 staff, with one additional first aider for every 100 staff after that.
If you have fewer than 20 staff then the recommendation is for one appointed person
If you work in a high risk sector such as construction, chemical manufacture or work with dangerous machinery or sharp instruments, then the recommendations are as follows:
5-50 staff – at least one first aider, with one additional first aider for every 50 staff
If you have fewer than 5 staff then the recommendation is for one appointed person
A first aider is someone who has attended a four day, HSE approved, first aid at work course (link to information about first aid at work course)
An appointed person is someone who has attended a one day, basic first aid for the appointed person course (link to the basic first aid for the appointed person course)
Multi-site requirements
The requirements differ depending on the number of staff you have working in each site.
If your sites are in a low risk sector such as an office or shop then the recommendations are as follows:
One first aider for 50-100 staff, with one additional first aider for every 100 employed.
If you have fewer than 50 staff, then the recommendation is for one appointed person.
If your sites are in a medium risk sector such as assembly work, warehousing, light engineering or food processing then the recommendations are as follows:
One first aider for 20-70 staff, with one additional first aider for every 100 staff after that.
If you have fewer than 20 staff then the recommendation is for one appointed person
If your sites are in a high risk sector such as construction, chemical manufacture or work with dangerous machinery or sharp instruments, then the recommendations are as follows:
5-50 staff – at least one first aider, with one additional first aider for every 50 staff
If you have fewer than 5 staff then the recommendation is for one appointed person
A first aider is someone who has attended a four day, HSE approved, first aid at work course (link to information about first aid at work course)
An appointed person is someone who has attended a one day, basic first aid for the appointed person course (link to the basic first aid for the appointed person course)
Self-employed
If you are self-employed you need to ensure that you have adequate equipment to provide first aid to yourself while at work.
This involves doing a risk assessment of the hazards and risks in your workplace and providing an appropriate level of first aid provision.
For example if you work in a low risk sector such as clerical work from home, then a first aid kit for the home (link to first aid products list) would be sufficient.
If your work involves driving long distances then you should keep a first aid travel kit in your car (link to first aid product list)
You may work on mixed premises with other self-employed or employed workers. In such cases you are legally responsible for your own first aid provision.
However it may make sense to join forces with the others located on the premises. This means that one employer would take on responsibility for all first aid cover for all workers on the premises.
If you do decide to go ahead with this then the HSE recommend that you have a written agreement for such an arrangement.
The implications of having a mobile workforce
If you have staff who regularly work away from the main site, then you need to make adequate first aid provision for them. Those who are frequently on the road or who travel regularly for business should carry a personal first aid box. If they are working in a remote area then you need to ensure that they have a means of summoning help such as a mobile phone. In addition it is a good idea to issue all lone workers with a single person first aid kit.
First aid provision when dealing with the public
According to the health and safety (first aid) regulations 1981, employers are not obliged to provide first aid for members of the public.
However if your organisation is involved in providing a service to members of the public, for example places of entertainment, shops, sports & leisure facilities and transport, then the HSE strongly recommends that employers include the public when making their assessment of first aid needs.
With regard to large events such as concerts, it is the organiser’s responsibility to ensure that there is adequate first aid provision.
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