First Aid
First aid at work requirements, contents of first aid kits, and appointed persons responsibilities.
Legal Requirements
The Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981 require employers to provide adequate and appropriate first-aid equipment, facilities, and personnel to ensure employees receive immediate attention if they are injured or taken ill at work.
- Every workplace must have at least one first-aid kit and an appointed person.
- The level of first-aid provision depends on a risk assessment considering the nature of work, number of employees, and workplace hazards.
- First-aid equipment must be clearly marked with a white cross on a green background.
- The employer must inform all employees of first-aid arrangements, including the location of first-aid kits and names of first aiders.
- Records of all first-aid treatment must be kept.
Appointed Persons vs First Aiders
| Role | Training | Responsibilities |
|---|---|---|
| Appointed Person | Emergency first-aid awareness (recommended, not legally required) | Take charge when someone is injured or ill. Call emergency services. Look after the first-aid kit. Does not give first-aid treatment unless trained. |
| Emergency First Aider (EFAW) | 1-day EFAW course (requalify every 3 years) | Administer emergency first aid. Manage an unconscious casualty. Perform CPR. Treat severe bleeding, choking, and shock. |
| First Aider at Work (FAW) | 3-day FAW course (requalify every 3 years) | All EFAW duties plus: manage a wider range of injuries and illnesses, treat burns, fractures, eye injuries, hypothermia, poisoning, and more. |
Construction sites: Due to higher risk, construction sites typically require at least one qualified First Aider at Work (FAW) for every 50 employees, plus an emergency first aider for 5-50 employees.
First Aid Kit Contents
There is no mandatory list of items, but HSE guidance recommends the following minimum contents for a standard workplace first-aid kit:
| Item | Small (1-10 people) | Medium (11-50) | Large (50+) |
|---|---|---|---|
| First-aid guidance leaflet | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Individually wrapped sterile plasters (assorted) | 20 | 40 | 60 |
| Sterile eye pads | 2 | 4 | 6 |
| Triangular bandages (individually wrapped) | 2 | 4 | 6 |
| Safety pins | 6 | 12 | 12 |
| Medium sterile dressings (12 cm x 12 cm) | 6 | 8 | 10 |
| Large sterile dressings (18 cm x 18 cm) | 2 | 4 | 8 |
| Disposable gloves (pairs) | 2 | 4 | 6 |
| Sterile wipes / cleansing wipes | 6 | 10 | 20 |
| Microporous tape | 1 | 1 | 2 |
No Medicines
First-aid kits must not contain tablets, medicines, creams, or sprays (e.g., paracetamol, antiseptic cream). These are not first-aid materials and could cause harm.
Emergency Procedures
DR ABC -- Primary Survey
When you encounter a casualty, follow the DR ABC procedure:
- D -- Danger: Check for danger to yourself, the casualty, and bystanders. Do not become a second casualty.
- R -- Response: Check if the casualty is responsive. Tap their shoulders and ask "Can you hear me?"
- A -- Airway: Open the airway using the head-tilt, chin-lift method. Check for obstructions.
- B -- Breathing: Look, listen, and feel for breathing for up to 10 seconds.
- C -- Circulation (CPR): If not breathing normally, call 999/112 and begin CPR immediately -- 30 chest compressions to 2 rescue breaths at a rate of 100-120 compressions per minute.
Calling Emergency Services
When calling 999 or 112, be ready to provide:
- The exact location (site name, address, postcode, access route)
- Nature of the incident and number of casualties
- Condition of the casualty (conscious, breathing, bleeding)
- Any specific hazards (electricity, chemicals, height)
- Your name and callback number
Common Construction Site Injuries
| Injury | Immediate First Aid |
|---|---|
| Electric Shock | Isolate the supply first (do NOT touch the casualty if still in contact with live parts). Call 999. If not breathing, begin CPR. Treat burns. Monitor for cardiac arrest -- electric shock can cause delayed cardiac arrhythmias. |
| Burns (thermal or electrical) | Cool the burn with clean running water for at least 20 minutes. Do not apply creams, butter, or ice. Cover loosely with cling film or a sterile dressing. Seek medical attention for burns larger than a postage stamp. |
| Severe Bleeding | Apply direct pressure using a sterile dressing or clean cloth. Elevate the injured limb above heart level if possible. Call 999. Do not remove embedded objects. Maintain pressure until help arrives. |
| Falls from Height | Do NOT move the casualty (possible spinal injury). Call 999 immediately. Keep the casualty still and warm. Monitor breathing and consciousness. Only move if in immediate danger. |
| Eye Injury (dust/debris) | Irrigate the eye with clean water or sterile saline for at least 15 minutes. Do not rub or attempt to remove embedded objects. Cover with a sterile eye pad. Seek medical attention. |
| Chemical Exposure (skin) | Remove contaminated clothing (with gloves). Flush with copious amounts of water for at least 20 minutes. Check the Safety Data Sheet for specific advice. Seek medical attention. |
AED (Automated External Defibrillator)
An AED is a portable device that analyses heart rhythm and delivers an electrical shock (defibrillation) to restore a normal rhythm in cases of sudden cardiac arrest. Early defibrillation dramatically increases survival rates.
Using an AED
- 1. Confirm cardiac arrest: the casualty is unresponsive and not breathing normally.
- 2. Call 999 and ask someone to fetch the AED.
- 3. Begin CPR immediately while waiting for the AED.
- 4. Switch on the AED and follow the voice/visual prompts.
- 5. Attach the pads to the bare chest as shown on the pads (one below the right collarbone, one on the left side below the armpit).
- 6. Ensure nobody is touching the casualty when the AED analyses the rhythm.
- 7. If a shock is advised, ensure everyone stands clear, then press the shock button.
- 8. Immediately resume CPR for 2 minutes, then the AED will re-analyse.
- 9. Continue until the emergency services arrive or the casualty shows signs of life.
Anyone Can Use an AED
AEDs are designed to be used by anyone, even without training. The device will only deliver a shock if it detects a shockable rhythm. You cannot harm the casualty by using an AED. Acting quickly saves lives -- for every minute without defibrillation, the chance of survival falls by approximately 10%.
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