| HSC
First Aid at Work; Approved Code of Practice and Guidance |
The Health and Safety
(First Aid) Regulations 1981 set out the essential aspects of First Aid that employers
have to address.
Practical guidance with respect to these regulations is available through the
HSC Approved Code of Practice (ACOP).
Anyone involved with the provision of first aid at work is strongly advised to
obtain a copy of this code. (ISBN 0-7176-1050-0) |
 |
Duty
of Employer to make provisions for First Aid |
| Regulation
3 (1): “An employer shall provide, or ensure that there are provided, such
equipment and facilities as are adequate and appropriate in the circumstances
for enabling first aid to be rendered to his employees if they are injured or
become ill at work'' |
 |
| Assessment
of Need |
| The
ACOP recommends that employers should make an assessment of the first aid needs
of each workplace and then provide the materials, equipment and facilities (including
first aiders) necessary to ensure that a satisfactory level of cover is available
to all employees at all relevant times. In assessing need the code suggests that
employers consider the following points: |
|
 |
Workplace hazards and risks |
|
The size of the organisation |
|
The organisation's history
of accidents |
|
The nature and distribution
of the workforce |
|
The remoteness of the site
from emergency medical services |
|
The needs of travelling,
remote and lone workers (Delivery Drivers, Company Representatives, Service Engineers,
etc. must all have a first aid kit) |
|
Employees working on shared
or multi-occupant sites |
|
Annual leave and other
abscences of first aiders and appointed persons |
|
|
| Recommended
Contents for First Aid Kits |
Because there is no
mandatory list of contents for first aid kits we have clarified a rather grey
area by recommending several sizes to match various levels of risk. All establishments
need at least one first aid kit. Large factories need kits in every self contained
working area and for those companies with more than 50 employees provision should
be considered for more than one kit.
(Note: It is generally recommended that no drugs or antiseptics
should be included in first aid kits). |
| Recommended
Contents for First Aid Kits |
|
1
Person
Travel Kit |
Standard
10 Kit |
|
Standard
50 Kit |
| First
Aid Guidance Leaflet |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
| Adhesive
Plasters (Sterile) |
6 |
20 |
40 |
60 |
| Eye
Pads |
|
2 |
4 |
6 |
| Triangular
Bandages |
2 |
4 |
6 |
8 |
| Safety
Pins |
2 |
6 |
12 |
12 |
| HS
Medium Dressing 12 x 12cm |
|
6 |
9 |
12 |
| HS
Large Dressing 18 x 18cm |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
| Individually
Wrapped Wipes |
2 |
6 |
10 |
20 |
| Disposable
Gloves (Pair) |
1 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
|
