What are the duties of employers in first-aid treatment?

An employer must 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.

Two main duties are imposed on employers by the regulations:

a) to provide first aid and

b) to inform employees of the first aid arrangements.

Self-employed persons must provide first aid equipment for their own use.

Approved code of practice:

This ACOP emphasizes for themselves what is adequate and appropriate in all the circumstances. Furthermore, where there are particular risks associated with the operation of an enterprise, the employer must ensure that first aiders receive training to deal with these specific risks.

Factors to be considered in assessing First aid provision include:

a) the number of employees;

b) the nature of the undertaking;

c) the size of the establishment and the locations to which employees go in the course of their employment;

d) the location of the establishment and the locations to which employees go in the course of their employment;

e) use of shift working

f) the distance from external medical services

The general guidance suggests that even in a simple office there ought to be a first aider for every 50 persons.