Understanding your first aid responsibilities is key to ensuring the health, safety and welfare or everyone within your workplace.

The Health & Safety at Work Act 1974

This Act is law and must be followed at all times.

It defines the general duties of employees, employers, contractors, suppliers and those who control workplace premises to ensure risks are managed and managed safely and effectively.

The Management of the Health & Safety at Work Regulations 1999

Regulations can be thought of as “best practice”.

They tend to provide more detailed guidance on how to adhere to the Health And Safety At Work Act.  The main requirement is for employers with five or more employees to conduct risk assessments.  This also applies to first aid provision.

The Health & Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981₁

This regulation requires 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.

First Aid Provision

Each workplace should ensure:

• There is enough First Aiders in place.
• Appropriate equipment, kits and facilities are readily available.
• A system in place to record accidents and near misses. A first aid risk assessment will  identify what personnel you need and their level of expertise in order to provide immediate assistance in an emergency.

¹ In Northern Ireland, these regulations were published in 1982