What is first aid at work?
People at work can suffer injuries or fall ill. It doesn't
matter whether the injury or the illness is caused by the work they
do or not. What is important is that they receive immediate
attention and that an ambulance is called in serious cases. First
aid at work covers the arrangements you must make to ensure this
happens. It can save lives and prevent minor injuries becoming
major ones.
So what do I need to do?
The Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981 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 adequate and appropriate
will depend on the circumstances in your workplace and you should
assess what your first aid needs are.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) produces a leaflet
First aid at work - your questions answered (pdf document)
which answers some basic questions about first-aid provision at
work. It is aimed at employers in small and medium-sized
enterprises, but may be useful to all employers, managers and
others involved in first aid.
Basic advice on first aid at work
This leaflet contains advice on
Basic advice on first aid at work (pdf document) for untrained
people to use in an emergency. It is not a substitute for effective
training. First aid is a skill requiring training and practice. You
should not attempt to give more than this basic first aid if you
have not been trained.
When giving first aid, it is vital that you assess the
situation, and that you: take care not to become a casualty
yourself while administering first aid use protective clothing and
equipment where necessary; send for help where necessary don't
delay; follow the advice given in the leaflet.
Useful Contacts
Health and
Safety Executive
Tendring District Council's Health and Safety team, email
environmental.services@tendringdc.gov.uk,
or telephone 01255 686767.
HSE Infoline
0845 345 0055
HSE Infoline is your first point of contact with
HSE. It's a 'one-stop' shop, providing you with rapid access to
HSE's wealth of health and safety information, and access to expert
advice and guidance. |