14 June, 2017
First aid is an essential part of health and safety compliance. As an employer, you are required to provide, so far as is reasonably practicable, a safe working environment and adequate facilities for the welfare of employees. This includes having appropriate first aid measures in place, including first aid kits and suitably trained first aid officers.
When deciding what first aid arrangements are appropriate for your situation, you should carry out a thorough risk assessment of your workplace, taking into account workplace activities and hazards.
When conducting your risk assessment, think about:
- the type of work you do and safety issues involved;
- the size and location of your workplace, including things like distances between work areas, and accessibility for emergency services;
- the usual number of people at the workplace, including workers, contractors, subcontractors, volunteers, and visitors.
Through this process, it should become clear what first aid arrangements you need to have in place.
Our friends at Alsco First Aid have a range of products and services to help you become and stay compliant. Check out their collection of free downloadable resources, including the eBook ‘The Beginner’s Guide to First Aid Workplace Compliance.’