First Aid Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How many First Aiders do we need?
A. All employers should carry out their own first aid needs assessment and this should take into account:
- the size of the organisation
- the working environment and nature of the work carried out
- and previous accidents and illnesses that been reported at the site(s)
- whether there are any lone, travelling or remote workers
- work patterns i.e. shifts that will all require first aid cover
- absences of first aiders through illness or for annual leave
- whether there is a requirement for first aid provision for visitors to the site(s)
- how workers are distributed across the site(s)
Q. When considering the first aid cover required how does the environment and nature of the work impact?
A. Employers must carry out a risk assessment and identify the types of injuries that could occur. The Health and Safety Executive has compiled the following table of common risks and injuries in the workplace:
| RISK | POSSIBLE INJURIES REQUIRING FIRST AID |
| Manual Handling | Fractures, lacerations, sprains and strains |
| Slip and Trip Hazards | Fractures, lacerations, sprains and strains |
| Machinery | Crush injuries, amputations, fractures, lacerations, eye injuries |
| Work at Height | Head injury, loss of consciousness, spinal injury, fractures, sprains and strains |
| Workplace Transport | Crush injuries, fractures, sprains and strains, spinal injuries |
| Electricity | Electric shock, burns |
| Chemicals |
Poisoning, loss of consciousness, burns, eye injuries |
Your organisation's accident records will provide details of the types of accidents and injuries that have occurred in the past.
Q. Which of my staff members would make a suitable first aider?
A. First aiders should be volunteers and they should;
- have excellent communication skills and a good rapport with others
- be reliable
- possess an aptitude for absorbing and understanding new knowledge
- carry out duties in the workplace that can be abandoned for a period of time, to respond to an emergency.
If you have any further questions please do email them to us via our contact us page or talk to a member of our team on 01603 861612.