Providing first aid is a fundamental responsibility to your employees.
First aid can save lives and prevent minor injuries becoming major ones. At some time, people at work may suffer injury or fall ill. It is important that they receive prompt attention and that an ambulance is called when necessary, whether the injury or the illness is caused by work or not.
You need to have in place adequate first aid arrangements taking account of the risks of your business and the findings of risk assessments. The arrangements do not include giving tablets or medicines to treat illness.
Basic guidance is contained in the HSE leaflets INDG214 First Aid at Work — Your Questions Answered and INDG347 Basic Advice on First Aid at Work.
The minimum first aid provision for a business is:
- a suitably stocked first aid container;
- a person appointed to take charge of first aid arrangements; and
- information for employees on first aid arrangements.
You are required by the Health And Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981to assess the significant risks in your workplace (see risk assessments and ACoP L74 First Aid at Work). See EEF Health and Safety Summary Sheet A4.