An Employer’s Guide To First Aid At Work
Key Contact: Claire Knowles
Author: Swyn Llyr
All employers have common law and statutory duties relating to the health and safety of its employees and must provide and maintain a safe place of work for all its workforce.
Accidents and illness can happen at any time, and it is important that you are prepared and have the provision in place to support your employees.
As a minimum, you must ensure that there are adequate provisions in place so employees can be given immediate help if they are injured or taken ill at work.
Key considerations for employers:
- Despite the size of your business, you should appoint someone to take charge of first-aid arrangements at your workplace. The appointed person’s role should involve looking after first-aid equipment and facilities, and calling the emergency services when required.
- Similarly, you should consider whether it is appropriate to arrange first-aid training for the appointed person to enable them to give emergency first aid to someone who is injured or becomes ill at work. Annual refresher training is strongly recommended thereafter to help first aiders maintain their skills.
- Carry out a first-aid risk assessment to identify what type and level of first-aid provision is necessary for your business. The assessment should reflect the injuries and illnesses that might occur in your workplace. Smaller workplaces with low-level hazards may need only the minimum provision for first aid. You, as an employer, are best placed to decide the provision you need for your business.
- Lastly, you should inform your employees of the first aid arrangements. Putting up notices telling staff who and where the first aiders or appointed persons are and where the first-aid box will usually be sufficient. Ensure to make the first-aid information accessible for all employees.
Did you know that if you employed more than five or more people, you must have a written statement setting out your general health and safety policy with respect to your employees and organisation?
For guidance to draft, prepare, or update your health and safety policy, please contact Acuity’s Employment team.
Check out our upcoming Acuity Law Wellbeing at Work Conference here.
