The Legal Obligation

The Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981 require employers to provide adequate and appropriate equipment, facilities and personnel to enable first aid to be given to employees if they are injured or become ill at work. These Regulations apply to all workplaces including those with five or fewer employees and to the self-employed. It is recommended that someone is able to undertake First Aid duties at all times when people are at work.

First Aiders and Appointed Persons

AB Fire Safety Training Services offers courses to train people in the workplace as both First Aiders and Appointed Persons. Appointed persons are people within the workplace who are responsible for dealing with emergencies, first aid provisions, accident book and first aid in the absence of a HSE certificated First Aider.

Risk Assessment

Each employer should carry out its own risk assessment to establish what level of First Aid cover it requires at each location. The HSE have produced recommendations on the suggested number of personnel to be trained in first aid.