The Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981 have been updated and they cover the first aid provision of first aid training and equipment that employers need to follow. There is no one solution to all businesses as each business needs to look at the guidelines and carry out risk assessments to ensure they meet or exceed the recommendations.
The HSE state in a simple term on their website about these regulations and what employers need to do as follows:
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.
What is ‘adequate and appropriate’ will depend on the circumstances in the workplace. This includes whether trained first-aiders are needed, what should be included in a first-aid box and if a first-aid room is required. Employers should carry out an assessment of first-aid needs to determine what to provide.
The Regulations do not place a legal duty on employers to make first-aid provision for non-employees such as the public or children in schools. However, HSE strongly recommends that non-employees are included in an assessment of first-aid needs and that provision is made for them.
Further guidance can be found making adequate and appropriate provision for first aid in First aid at work: The Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981 – Guidance on Regulation.
If you require training in any aspect of first aid please visit our first aid at work video online training where you will not only find our online training but also blended and classroom courses nationally. The Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981 are covered on all our workplace first aid courses.
For First Aid Equipment and CPR Manikins different brands and training equipment available including the Practi-Man Manikinrange, choking vests and AED Trainers and Live Units.