The HSE’s directive is that every employee is responsible for making sure that employees receive immediate attention if they are taken ill or are injured at work.
Employers must make appropriate first aid arrangements for the workplace taking into consideration the health and safety risks that may be present. Some small low-risk workplaces need to only have a first aid box, and someone appointed to look after first aid arrangements such as calling the emergency services and ensuring that the first aid box is adequately stocked. This person does not need specific first aid health-and-safety-training.
If the workplace uses machinery or hazardous materials and therefore has a more significant health and safety risk, then it is more likely that a trained first-aider will be needed.
In either case, employees must be provided with details of the first aid arrangements.
In order to establish what provision for first aid is required, employers should assess the first aid needs appropriate to the circumstances of the business;
¨ The workplace.
¨ The workforce.
¨ Hazards and risks present.
More information about carrying out a first aid needs assessment can be found here.
First aid arrangements
Your arrangement will depend on the outcome of your first aid needs assessment and the particular circumstances in your workplace at any given time.
The findings of the needs assessment should indicate the level of first aid equipment, facilities and personnel required.
Accidents and ill health
Under health and safety law, you must report and keep a record of certain injuries, incidents and cases of work-related disease.
RIDDOR (the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013) puts duties on employers, the self-employed and people in control of work premises (the Responsible Person) to report certain serious workplace accidents, occupational diseases and specified dangerous occurrences (near misses).
Keeping records will help you to identify patterns in the incidence of accidents and injuries and will help when completing your risk assessment. Your insurance company may also want to see your records if there is a work-related claim.