First aid box

What should a first aid box in the workplace contain?

There is no mandatory list of contents for first aid boxes. Deciding what to include should be based on the employer’s assessment of first aid needs. A suggested list of contents, where there is no special risk in the workplace, is given in the free leaflet: First aid at work: your questions answered. Equivalent but different items will be considered acceptable. Any items in the first aid box that have passed their expiry date should be disposed of safely.

In general, tablets and medication should not be kept in the first aid box.

A suggested list of contents for travelling first aid kits is included in the Approved Code of Practice and Guidance: First aid at work. The Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981 L74.

How often should the contents of first aid boxes be replaced?

Although there is no specified review timetable, many items, particularly sterile ones, are marked with ‘best before dates’. Such items should be replaced by the dates given. In cases where sterile items have no dates, it would be advisable to check with the manufacturers to find out how long they can be kept. For non-sterile items without dates, it is a matter of judgement, based on whether they are fit for purpose.

Defibrillators

Should I provide a defibrillator for use in the workplace?

As an employer, you will need to carry out an assessment of first aid needs appropriate to the circumstances of the workplace. There is no legal bar to employers making a defibrillator available in the workplace if the assessment of first aid needs indicates such equipment is required.

The Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981 do not prevent someone who is specially trained from taking action beyond the initial management of a casualty. It is important that the person who will be required to use a defibrillator, usually a first aider, is appropriately trained. Courses in the use of defibrillators are available.

First aid for the public

Do I need to make first aid provision for members of the public?

The Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981 do not oblige employers to provide first aid for members of the public. However, many organisations provide a service for others, for example places of entertainment, fairgrounds and shops, and HSE strongly recommends that employers include the public and others on their premises when making their assessment of first aid needs.

Appointed persons

What is an appointed person?

When an employer’s first aid needs assessment identifies that a first aider is not necessary, the minimum requirement is to appoint a person to:

• take charge when someone is injured or ill, including calling an ambulance if required;

• look after the first aid equipment, eg restocking the first aid box.

Can appointed persons perform first aid, eg cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)?

Appointed persons should not attempt to give first aid for which they have not been trained.

Are appointed persons required to take an approved training course in first aid?

There are no legal requirements for appointed persons to have any approved training in order to carry out their responsibilities. However, there are courses available for appointed persons.

First aid in schools

How do the Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981 relate to first aid provision in schools?

Employers are responsible for the provision of appropriate first aid equipment and facilities and trained first aiders in respect of their employees – this includes schools, as they are workplaces. However, the Regulations do not oblige employers to provide first aid for anyone else. Nevertheless, HSE strongly encourages employers to consider others when carrying out their assessment of first aid needs and to make provision for them.

The Department for Education and Skills (DfES) has produced a booklet: Guidance on First Aid for Schools. This can be downloaded from the DfES website: www.dfes.gov.uk.

First aid signs

What signs should I have?

All first aid boxes must have a white cross on a green background. Similarly, first aid rooms should be easily identifiable by white lettering or a white cross on a green background.

Where should I put them?

The signs should be placed where they can be seen (not obstructed from view) and easily identified

We support Herts Air Ambulance