If you own a firm, you are probably required by law to supply some kind of First Aid to your employees. There may well be regulations governing what level of service you have to provide, but if there are not, this article will try to help you work out a sensible approach to the question. However, whichever way you look at it, the provision of First Aid in the workplace is very important.

There are in essence four reasons involved in the equation: the administerer of the First Aid, the First Aid kit, the First Aid room and the First Aid apparatus. The causes influencing the above components are: the type of industry you are in, the number of workers, the sort of shifts and your distance from the closest hospital.

The shift factor is vital because you will have to supply a health care worker (at least one) for every shift. If there are workers from many subcontractors on site (such as on a building site) the chief contractor should provide health care for all the personnel on site and make a charge to the bosses of the subcontractors’ companies.

Any agreements between workers and employers and main and sub-contractors should be put in on paper and signed by all parties concerned. These agreements should then by photocopied and distributed to everyone concerned.

The employer should supply a notice in several prominent locations throughout the site or factory giving details about where the nearest trained First Aider is and his or her name. The trained individual should be healthy, responsible, usually at work and be ready to leave his or her workstation immediately when asked to help.

The First Aiders should receive training from a recognized body and a certificate of competence should be given. If possible, the training ought to be given in your own workplace so that the trainers can take into account any local hardships.

The First Aider ought to get trained in writing records. For example, although the First aider’s obligation ceases when the paramedics arrive, the supplier of First Aid should make and be able to furnish a record of any therapy given before their arrival.

The First Aid box ought to be checked regularly. Things that have passed their sell-by-date must be disposed of and replaced and someone has to be given the obligation for doing this and signing a register to say that the inspection has taken place. There should be a First Aid box within a few minutes walk of dangerous locations like machinery

The kits should contain all standard things such as antiseptic, plasters, bandages, safety pins, scissors, iodine et cetera, but they should also contain remedies specific to your industry, if there are any. It is also a good idea to put a First Aid data sheet in the box simply in case it is not the trained First Aider who has to supply the help.

Owen Jones, the writer of this piece, writes on many topics, but is currently concerned with school first aid kits. If you have an interest in RC vehicles, please go over to our website now at First Aid Courses Online.