Useful Information

How many trained First Aiders do I need in my workplace?

The Health and Safety (first aid) Regulations require you to provide 'adequate and appropriate equipment, facilities and personnel to enable first aid to be given to your employees if they are injured or become ill at work'. What is considered adequate will depend on the circumstances of each organisation and the results of your first aid risk assessment. First aid personnel should be available at all times when people are at work and the numbers based on assessments of risk and number of employees. Factors such as remoteness from emergency services, shift work patterns and the type of work all have to be considered. You must also take into account holidays and sickness so an increased provision may be necessary to cover for absence.

If you would like some guidance on how to carry out a first aid needs assessment in your workplace here is some information that will help you.

Guide To Carrying Our A First Aid Needs Assessment

First Aid Needs Assessment For Schools - additional information

First Aid Needs Assessment Examples

HSE First Aid At Work Training Process

What should we keep in a first aid box?

The specific contents of your first aid box would depend on the results of your workplace first aid needs assessment as depending on the injury risks identified in your work environment as additional items may be needed. However, the HSE does give guidance as to the minimum stock requirements of first aid kits where there are no special risks in the workplace. These recommendations are set out in the table below, if no running water is available in an eyewash station is also required.