What Are Employers First Aid Responsibilities?

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What Are Employers First Aid Responsibilities?

We’ve all noticed a first aid box tucked away in a cupboard. However, as an employer do you know exactly what first aid responsibilities are? What should you really be providing?

In the event of a workplace injury or sudden illness, failure to provide adequate first aid could result in a casualty’s death. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) will prosecute where there is a significant risk or persistent poor compliance.

In this article, we share your first aid responsibilities as an employer.

A person in a suit holding a green first aid kit with a white cross on it, embodying the essence of employers' first aid responsibilities. The kit is held at chest level, partially covering the shirt and tie, symbolizing preparedness in the workplace.

What You Need to Do

The employer must ensure that an employee who is taken ill or injured at work receives immediate attention.

As a minimum in a low-risk workplace such as a small office, there should be:

  • a suitably stocked first aid box
  • an appointed person to take charge of first-aid arrangements, for instance telephoning the emergency services if the need arises
  • information for employees about first-aid arrangements
A group of eight people standing indoors, each holding a certificate. They are smiling and dressed in business attire. An elevator door is visible in the background.

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Employers are required to carry out a first aid needs assessment considering:

  • Workplace hazards and risks, such as chemicals and acids, dangerous machinery and working under confined conditions.
  • The size and geography of the organisation, number, and type of employees, including inexperienced workers, or employees with disabilities.
  • Working arrangements, type of work undertaken and anomalies such as lone workers, overnight shift patterns, travelling in company vehicles and sharing premises with other businesses.
  • Any other relevant factors, such as previous accidents and ill-health records and to work premises by the public.

In addition, workplaces containing more significant health and safety risks need:

  • To provide the appropriate number of trained first aiders.
  • A full range of first aid equipment suitable for their business.
  • To provide a first aid room for employees.
A green first aid kit with a white cross and First Aid text on the front sits open, showcasing essential medical supplies like vinyl gloves, antiseptic wipes, gauze, and bandages. It's a reminder of what are employers' first aid responsibilities in ensuring workplace safety.

What the Law Says

The Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981 require employers to provide ‘adequate and appropriate equipment, facilities and personnel. In other words, they need to ensure their employees receive immediate attention if they are injured or taken ill at work. Similarly, these regulations apply to all workplaces, including those with less than five employees and the self-employed.

If you have a question or enquiry about first aid, please call the team on 01452 502113 or complete our enquiry form.

If you’ve got a question or query, please contact our super friendly team, they will be delighted to help you!

Simply get in touch via phone or email.
Two booklets titled The Ultimate First Aid Checklist with a red and white cover, featuring an image of a person receiving first aid on the front. The booklets list 79 Critical Checks To Help You Manage First Aid in Your Business and contact information for Envesca.

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Here at Envesca we believe that we are good at giving proactive, sensible and useful advice. Below you will find some free resources that you can download on a host of subjects that will help you and your business.

Training Available

Envesca offer a number of different training courses, which offer advice and guidance on these topics.

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