Is Your Workplace Prepared?

Did you know that an estimated 561,000 workers in Britain sustained an injury at work between 2022/2023? This is an increase of 11,000 injuries since 2017/2018.
The Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981 require all employers are to ensure their employees receive immediate medical attention if they are injured or taken ill at work. This means the employer will conduct a risk assessment, appoint a suitable amount of first aiders, have a fully stocked First Aid box on site and provide appropriate first-aid training.

First Aid is immediate medical assistance given to someone in the event of an accident, injury, or illness, this is given by trained staff within the workplace until emergency services arrive on scene.

All employers conducting an assessment should examine:

The distance to emergency services

Previous incidents, accidents, and illnesses

The size of the company regarding people and areas

Whether an assigned first aider is required

The whereabouts of all employees during work hours, on and off site

Working hours and shift patterns

And any potential visitors that are on site.

The onsite First Aid box should have a minimum of these items:

Guidance Leaflet

Assorted Size Plasters

Triangle Bandages (sterile)

Disposable Gloves

Safety Pins

Sterile medium and generous sized wound dressings

Sterile Eye Pads

The First Aid Box should be kept in a visible easy to access place and all employees must know where this is located.

Each company is different and have a different number of employees and risks, so depending on the size the company and what type of business it is will make a difference to a Risk Assessment.

In a Lower Risk environment, (shops, offices) it is standard practice that there is at least one first aider for 50- 100 people, and one first aider for every other 100 additional employees.

In a Medium Risk environment, (assembly work, warehouse, food processing) it is standard practice that there is at least one first aider for every 20-100 employees and one first aider for every other 50 additional employees.

In a High-Risk environment (construction, dangerous machine use, chemical manufacturers) it is standard practice that there is one first aider for every 50 employees and one additional first aider for every 100 additional employees.

However, having the correct first aid provision in the workplace is not just a legal requirement, it is incredibly important for the safety of all members of staff!

Find out more about Training 4 logistics Available First Aid at Work Courses here: