Introduction
Within the UK it is a legal responsibility of companies and organisations to provide an adequate level of first aid cover for their employees and volunteers.
Providing first aid cover could save someones life. More routinely it prevents minor injuries or incidents developing into larger ones and reduces the cost of injuries to a company or organisation.
Employers have an obligation under the Heath and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981 and Approved Code of Practice (ACOP L74) to make adequate and appropriate first aid provision for their workforce.
Adequate and appropriate provision will include facilities and materials as well as suitably trained staff.
There are two levels of training which are considered appropriate for staff who could be called upon to deal with an illness, emergency or accident – to provide first aid in other words. These staff either hold a “First Aid at Work” or “Emergency First Aid at Work” qualification.
Some one who has completed a ”First Aid at Work” course has attended a Health and Safety Executive approved “First Aid at Work” training course. The course is delivered over a period of three days and is valid for a period of three years.
The holder of an “Emergency First Aid at Work” qualification is someone who has responsibility for dealing with first aid issues in smaller companies and organisations or who assists First Aiders in larger concerns. An “Emergency First Aid at Work” course is delivered in a single day and is valid for a period of three years.
To determine the number of staff who must be trained on a “First Aid at Work” or “Emergency First Aid at Work” course the employer must carry out a First Aid Needs Assessment.
Courses
We currently offer the following First Aid courses …
Emergency First Aid at Work Course
… single day course, meets the guidelines of the HSE for the “Emergency First Aid at Work” course
… standard 3 day course, meets the guidelines of the HSE for the “First Aid at Work” course
… 2 day refresher course, meets the guidelines of the HSE for a first aider at work, must be completed within the three year life-span of the FAW qualification
… covering primary and secondary care skills for use with infants and children as well as adults, meets the guidelines of the HSE for an Appointed Person, recognised by OFSTED, CACHE, PLA and NCMA as suitable for those working in the early years setting
… covering primary and secondary care skills, meets the guidelines of the HSE for an Appointed Person, includes skills for use by people working in the health and care sector
… covering procedures for use by coaches, teachers and parents on the sports field, meets the guidelines of the HSE for an Appointed Person, recognised by SPIRTO as being suitable for those working within sport, recreation and leisure
… covering cycling specific incidents and injuries for cyclists – onroad and offroad, triathletes, cycling club lead riders, cycling and triathlon coaches, event organisers, race marshals, motorbike outriders and tour guides with hands-on practical sessions related to the cycling environment, helmet removal, making a scene safe and treating injuries.
It also meets the requirements for an Appointed Persons / Emergency First Aid at Work certificate for coaching required by British Cycling, Scottish Cycling, Welsh Cycling and the British Triathlon Association.
Automated External Defibrillation… half day course
Background
A risk assessment should be carried out to determine the level of first aid cover required within a specific company or organisation. This should take into account, amongst others, the following factors …
• The number of employees on the premises
• The type of work and the hazards involved
• Any shift working
• The layout of the premises – are some staff isolated?
• Employees who regularly work away from the premises
• The distance from accident and emergency services
The following provides companies and organisations with guidance as to the minimum level of first aid cover they are required to provide.
Low Risk Workplaces
e.g. shops and offices
• Less than 50 employees
requires at least 1 Appointed Person
• 50-100
requires at least 1 First Aider
• More than 100
requires at least 1 additional First Aider per 100 people
Medium Risk Workplaces
e.g. light engineering, food processing, warehousing
• Less than 20 employees
requires at least 1 Appointed Person
• 20-100
requires at least 1 First Aider
• More than 100
requires at least 1 additional First Aider per 100 people
High Risk Workplaces
e.g. construction, chemical manufacture, dangerous machinery
• Less than 5 employees
requires at least 1 Appointed Person
• 5-50
requires at least 1 First Aider
• More than 50
requires at least 1 additional First Aider per 50 people
Information from ACOP L74, issued March 1997 – correct as at January 2003
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