The Basics
As stated by the UK Government Health and Safety Executive (HSE):
- The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 place an obligation on employers to assess risks and, where necessary, take action to eliminate or control the risks
- The Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981 require employers to provide adequate and appropriate equipment, facilities and personnel to ensure their employees receive immediate attention if they are injured or taken ill at work
- These regulations apply to all workplaces, including those with less than five employees and to the self-employed
It is the legal duty of employers to have arrangements in place for administering first-aid to staff who are injured or become ill at work. This applies irrespective of whether or not the situation was caused, directly or indirectly, by the work itself.
‘Adequate and appropriate’ will vary from workplace to workplace. That’s why it’s essential to carry out a comprehensive assessment of first-aid needs on your premises.
Employers are also legally obliged to inform all employees of the arrangements in place for the provision of first aid, including the location of relevant equipment, facilities and personnel.
While there is no legal requirement for employers to provide adequate first-aid responses for non-employees (including the public), HSE strongly recommends that all potential site visitors be included in your needs assessment and catered for accordingly.