First aid is the treatment given to those who are injured or ill, prior to the arrival of medical help.
The law places many obligations on every workplace. These include stocking a fully equipped first aid kit, appointing a person/people to take charge of first aid arrangements, and providing information to all employees on what the first aid arrangements are.
First Aid at Work
Employers have a duty to ensure that employees receive immediate assistance in the event of illness or injury. This is set out in law, under the Health and Safety – First Aid – Regulations 1981.
Employers should conduct a first aid needs assessment. This will help them to determine the number of first aiders that are required, what type of training they will need, and where they will be located.
The risk assessment will consider how hazardous the workplace is, how many employees it has, and what illnesses or injuries have occurred in the workplace previously.
The employer can then take appropriate steps to ensure that the relevant number of staff complete the necessary first aid training as required.
First Aid Training
Specialist providers of emergency first aid training courses such as tidaltraining.co.uk/emergency-first-aid-training-courses/ can work with employers to ensure that their staff are suitably qualified.
A range of Qualsafe accredited course options are available, including refresher training and pediatric first aid training.
Being able to confidently deliver appropriate first aid not only promotes awareness and safety within the workplace, but is also an excellent skill for home and public life.