HSE Requirements
The Health and Safety (First Aid) at Work Reg's. 1981
An employer shall provide, or ensure that there is provided, such equipment and facilities as are adequate and appropriate
in the circumstances for enabling first aid to be rendered to their employees if they become ill or are injured
First Aid at Work
It is recommended that in establishments with relatively low hazards, shops, libraries or banks that there be, on average,
one (1) first aider to every fifty (50) employees during normal/usual working hours. When there is shift work the employer
should ensure that there is adequate and appropriate first aid cover for each shift
In the Approved Code of Practice (ACoP), section 3(2) it is stated'… however, all factors need to be taken into
account, such as distribution of employees, nature of work, distance from outside medical services as well as the number of
employees in a set area'
Hazards
In establishments where there is a greater degree of hazard, ie factories, dockyards, farms, warehouses and store facilities
there may be one (1) first aider for every section, location or work area
Where there are special hazards the employer will need to seek further and possibly specialist instructions for the provision
of first aid equipment and cover
Non-Employees (provision)
ACoP 3(1) Para 7 states'… the regulations place requirements on employers only in respect of their own employees
while they are at work. When making provision, there is no obligation for employers, under the regulations ACoP, to take account
of persons who are not their employees, eg pupils in schools, visitors to cinema's or theatres, shop customers etc. Employers
whose premises are regularly attended by such persons may, however wish to make some provision
Appointed persons
An appointed person is someone who is provided and trained by the employer to cover in low risk situations and to take
charge and be responsible for the equipment in the absence of the designated first aider
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