Whether you need guidance on first aid training or information on implementing first aid procedures, our expert advice highlights the key points to consider when assessing your workplace first aid personnel needs.
First Aid Advice and Support
The key considerations you need to review when assessing your workplace first aid.
What Size Kit Does Your Workplace Need?
The size of first aid kit required is dependent on a combination of the business’ level of risk and the number of employees in the workplace. The table below provides guidance for employers but does not replace the requirement to carry out a risk assessment.
| Category of Hazard | Number of Employees | Number and Size of First Aid Kit |
|---|---|---|
|
Low Hazard
e.g. shops, offices, libraries, etc |
Less than 25 | 1 Small kit |
| 25-100 | 1 Medium kit | |
| More than 100 | 1 Large kit per 100 employees | |
|
High Hazard
e.g. light engineering and assembly work, food processing, extensive work with dangerous machinery or sharp instruments, construction, chemical manufacture |
Less than 5 | 1 Small kit |
| 5-25 | 1 Medium kit | |
| More than 25 | 1 Large kit per 25 employees |
The table is only a guide and each workplace need to conduct its own risk assessment to monitor its first aid requirements. Special circumstances also needs to be considered, such as remoteness from medical services, distinct hazards, such as hydrofluoric acid and sites that are made up of several buildings. In these situations, employers may need to stock more first aid supplies than recommended in the above table.
Workplace Assessment of First Aid Needs
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) suggests that a first aid kit needs to be "adequate and appropriate in the circumstances" it is being used in. This is done by performing an assessment of needs on each area of the workplace. There is no requirement to keep written records of this, but the HSE strongly recommend doing so, as this will enable the employer to give explanation for their decisions if required.
Here are some important first aid considerations for your assessment of needs.
The Nature of Your Work
The first thing to consider is the kind of work that is undertaken in your workplace and the hazards this might cause. Bear in mind that different areas of your business will carry different risks. For example, a different assessment of needs will need to be done for an office compared to the shop floor or a factory.
Size of the Organisation
Generally, the larger the workforce the greater the need for your organisation will have for first aid supplies.
Type of Workforce
Special conditions need to be taken for any vulnerable individuals in employment, including pregnant women, young workers, and those with disabilities.
Distribution of Workforce
An organisation whose employees are spread out over a vast area will require more first aid kits than one whose workers are still in the same building.
Employers must regularly review their first aid kit contents to ensure supplies are stocked up and use by dates have not expired. If a first aid kit is stored in a public area there needs to be procedures in place to frequently check the contents to prevent theft and tampering. This process is normally the duty of a first aider or a trained person.
What First Aid Personnel Does Your Workplace Need?
An important part of any workplace health and safety procedure is to consider first aid response. It is vital that businesses have enough first aiders who are correctly trained and ready to respond to any incident. Generally, the larger the workforce the greater the need your organisation will have for first aid training.
The table below provides guidance for employers on quantity and types of first aid trained personnel required.
| Category of Hazard | Number of Employees | Number and Type of First-Aid Personnel |
|---|---|---|
|
Low Hazard
e.g. shops, offices, libraries |
Less than 25 | At least one appointed person |
| 25-50 | At least one first aider trained in Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW) | |
| More than 50 | One additional first aider trained in First Aid at Work (FAW) for every 100 employed (or part thereof) | |
|
High Hazard
e.g. light engineering and assembly work, food processing, extensive work with dangerous machinery or sharp instruments, construction, chemical manufacture |
Less than 5 | At least one appointed person |
| 5-50 | At least one first aider trained in EFAW or FAW depending on type of injuries that may occur | |
| More than 50 | At least one first aider trained in FAW for every 50 employed (or part thereof) |
First Aid Training
At Arco, our Professional Safety Services team offer a full programme of first aid courses suitable for all organisations regardless of size and number of employees.
More from Arco
Our Range
Accidents or illness at work can happen at any time, so you need be prepared and have the right first aid kit and supplies available. Choose from our comprehensive range of first aid products.
Safety Regulations
Employers have a legal duty to ensure their employees receive immediate first aid if they suffer an injury or illness at work. Find out about the regulations that you need to know to stay compliant.
Recommended Products
At Arco, we have a comprehensive range of first aid products that are compliant to the standards and offer different configurations and sizes to meet the needs of varying environments, risk levels and number of people exposed to those risks.
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