Under health and safety legislation, employers are required to assess their first aid needs and implement the findings. Why not use our document to prepare for a medical emergency?
Is this necessary?
Employers must complete an assessment of their “first aid needs” in order to comply with the Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981 (HSFAR). There is no legal requirement for you to have written evidence of your assessment, but it’s a good idea to do so. Having your assessment documented provides a record that it was undertaken and it’s easier to review your provision in the future. Safety Aide provide this assessment document free of charge. Click here for this document.
Tip. The manager completing the assessment should have sufficient knowledge of the business to ensure all circumstances are considered, for example they should know about employees with health conditions, specific hazards, shift patterns and the frequency of lone working.
Completing our document
Our first aid needs assessment is based on HSE guidance to enable you to meet the legal requirements. It begins with an explanation of the Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981 (HSFAR), followed by a section outlining the basic details of your business and premises. Here you must give details of your location, the name of the manager completing the assessment and its verification, the date of completion and the planned review date. Following this, you are invited to explore four factors which affect your first aid needs. The headings are: (1) “Risk of injury”; (2) “Persons at risk”; (3) “Location/accessibility to emergency personnel”; and (4) “Hours of work”.
In completing the form you’re guided through the process, considering what types of medical need might arise, how quickly professional help may arrive, and the hours of cover required by first aid personnel. There are notes explaining the content which is expected in each section.
Tip 1. When considering the types of injury or medical incident which might have to be dealt with, review past accidents and talk to first aiders about their experiences.
Tip 2. There is no direct legal requirement for your first aid arrangements to cover non-employees, but you may wish to do so, particularly if your premises are open to the public, or your services are provided for residents or customers.
Ready for action
Having thought through all the factors which affect your decisions you’re then invited to draw conclusions about the required first aid equipment and the numbers and level of training of first aid personnel. For completeness we’ve included a space to describe your arrangements for keeping records of first aid treatment. Safety Aide provide competitive first aid training across the UK to all BAGMA members at a local centre or on-site. Please contact us
Tip 1. Read the HSE’s guidance as you work through these sections (see the next step). This will help you to identify particular facilities and equipment which are needed, beyond a standard first aid box. It will also help you to decide the degree of training needed for staff.
Tip 2. In the final box summarise any “Further action required”. This might include equipment to be purchased, training requirements and refresher courses, routine checks of first aid boxes, etc.
Our form helps you to review key factors, including the site location, type of workplace, hazards and risks, the convenience of emergency services, first aid equipment and the number and training of first aid personnel. Your completed document provides proof that the exercise has been undertaken properly.