Why do we need first aid in the workplace?

“ Every employer should provide for each work site at least one first aid container supplied with a sufficient quantity of first aid materials suitable for the particular circumstances.”  Health and Safety Executive

It is a legal requirement that every business has accessible first aid.

How many First Aid kits are required for my workplace?

The following information categorises workplaces by level of risk, and then recommends an appropriate size of kit, depending on the number of employees and members of the public exposed to those risks.

The number and type of first aid kits needed are dictated by:

1.      DO A RISK ASSESSMENT.

LOW RISK: (e.g. shops, offices, libraries etc.)

HIGH RISK: (e.g. light engineering and assembly work, food processing, warehousing, etc.)

2.      DECIDE ON THE SIZE AND QUANTITY OF FIRST AID KITS REQUIRED TO MEET YOUR RISK NEEDS ASSESSMENT.

SMALL FIRST AID KIT USAGE GUIDELINES

LOW RISK:       1 kit for less than 25 employees         HIGH RISK:       1 kit for less than 5 employees

MEDIUM FIRST AID KIT USAGE GUIDELINES

LOW RISK:       1 kit per 25-100 employees                HIGH RISK:       1 kit per 5-25 employees

LARGE FISRT AID KIT USAGE GUIDELINES

LOW RISK:       1 kit per 100 employees                     HIGH RISK:       1 kit per 25 employees

TRAVEL AND MOTORING

Staff working remotely from a company vehicle should be equipped with a travel and motoring first aid kit. This does not supersede BS8599-2 for vehicle first aid kits, employers should refer to BS8599-2 when equipping vehicles with first aid kits.

1 Medium Kit

The size, contents, and number of first aid kits depends on the size of the work environment and the number of staff.

An easy to access AED is also a vital addition to any work environment and wherever people gather. Sadly, there are more than 30,000 out of hospital cardiac arrests every year in the UK, but fewer than one in ten people survive. Every minute that passes without CPR or defibrillation reduces the chances of survival by up to 10 per cent in some instances, but immediate CPR and defibrillation can more than double the chances of survival.

What hazards are employees exposed to in the workplace?

The following pages are a guide for adequate and appropriate equipment in the workplace.

Kitchens are busy working environments with many risks of injury – cuts, scalds and burns are likely due to sharp knives, hot surfaces, and boiling liquids. Airborne particles from cooking ingredients and splashback from hot pans can lead to eye injuries and irritation. Trips and falls are also a workplace hazard, spillages can cause slippery floors. A Reliance Medical catering first aid kit offers all that you need to cope with the most common workplace injuries to ensure the safety of your staff and patrons   

Whilst less hazardous workplaces; eye strain and repetitive strain injuries (RSI) are the most common, there is still a need for a well-stocked first aid kit in the office. Computer power cables, extension plugs, boxes on the floor, mess and clutter are all hazards that can cause someone to trip and fall. Burns and scalds can occur in the office kitchen or canteen. Like all workplaces an AED is a vital inclusion to ensure the safety of staff and visitors.

Busy warehouses can prove to be hazardous working environments. Injuries can occur in the due to collision with operating machinery such as forklift trucks, head injuries can be caused by objects falling from racking and shelving. Trips and falls can happen due to boxes and pallets and packaging on the warehouse floor. Warehouse work puts hands, fingers, feet, and even whole bodies at risk of being caught between pieces of equipment, between heavy objects, or even between a truck and the loading

dock. Strains and sprains are common injuries due to over-exertion. Spillages and exposure to hazardous chemicals can also cause injuries and burns.

Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981 require employers to provide adequate and appropriate first-aid equipment, facilities, and personnel to ensure employees can be given immediate help if they are injured or taken ill at work. Whether travelling to and from the workplace – or if a vehicle is your workplace, it is important to provide the correct first aid equipment in the event of injury. Employers should ensure that their staff have access to first aid. This includes lone workers such as:

• Health, medical and social care workers visiting people’s homes etc
• Postal staff, taxi drivers, engineers, estate agents, and sales or service representatives visiting domestic and commercial premises
• Delivery drivers including HGV drivers, van driver/couriers and car/bike-based couriers
• Agricultural and forestry workers

Even when safely operated and maintained, Injuries can still occur from machinery. Impact from moving parts, cuts or scratches, material thrown by moving parts such as wood chips and dust can cause eye injuries and irritation. Clutter on the factory floor can lead to trips and falls. Falling objects and exposure to chemicals and hot materials can also present significant risk of injury including burns.

Rapid access to first aid is vital for schools and day-care centres. Schools should provide suitably stocked first-aid kits in appropriate locations throughout the school and off site. In any environment where young children gather and play cuts, scrapes can occur – in the classroom and on the playground. More serious injuries including sprains, broken bones and head injuries can result from falls from playground equipment and on staircases.

Building and construction sites can be very hazardous places. Falls are the most common workplace accident on site – resulting in over a third of all injuries. Falls can be from height e.g., from scaffolding or ladders and trips due to cluttered sites and scattered building materials. Injuries from construction machinery are also common and can result in crush injuries and significant blood loss if not controlled.

Brick dust, cement, stone chips, and other airborne debris can also cause eye injuries. Falling masonry and site equipment can lead to head injuries. Exposed electrical cables and exposure to construction chemicals can cause serious burns.

related posts:

First Aid Needs Assessment Guidance  |  First Aid Skills – keep it current

Extracted From Reliance Medical Guide: