Posted By M MacDonald Hi, I am looking for some information regarding the ratio of staff to first aiders - can anyone please advise? Also, in your company do the first aiders receive extra payment for being first aiders? If so how much? I am writing a proposal regarding increasing our First Aid provisions and would like some examples/comparisons to strengthen my case. I am keen to reward first aiders for their extra responsibility. Do you agree they should be rewarded? Thanks, Michelle

Posted By jacqueline Hi Michelle, Firstly the relevant Legislation is as follows (all contain info): The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 The Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981 The Construction (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1996 The Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations 1996 The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 Secondly, you need to look at L74 (First Aid at Work) and the Code of Practice and the set of guidance notes. Thirdly, The regulations and Code of Practice do not specify numbers but set out guidelines in respect of the number of first aiders needed, dependent on the size of undertaking, the hazards present and the number of people employed. In determining the total number of first aid personnel required, additional factors should be considered. These are: the type of work or operations being carried out whether or not employees work in scattered and isolated locations whether there are special or unusual hazards whether or not there is shift work. Normally, First Aiders are not financially rewarded but the company usually pays for training (valid for 3yrs) and gives time off (paid) to carry out their responsibilities. Hope this helps you Regards Jacqueline

Posted By stephen J Smith Hi Michelle, look at your risks the higher the risks the more first aiders you require, look at your working activities if you do alot of overtime then this has to be taken in to consideration, also look at the proximity of the nearest external medical help and then look at the acop, this gives a MINIMAL number to be provided and come to some form of assessment after all that, if you need any more info email me. stephen

Posted By Gary Millen Number of first aiders needs to be determined by number of employees, nature (& size) of the undertaking and the shift patterns worked. I have a 120 acre site with 275 employees working a 5 shift rotational pattern. I have split the site down into 5 areas with a minimum of 1 first aider per area per shift. This is based on the need to be able to provide CPR within 2 minutes of a casulty suffering cardiac arrest i.e. a first aider can be with a casulty within 2 minutes any time of the day or night. Additional first aiders are available during normal working hours i.e. dayshifts as population tends to increase during normal office hours. We also have a full time Occ Health Nurse who is also first aid trained Our first aiders are paid two payments of £75, one at summer time one around Xmas time. They are however required to maintain first aid panels around site and attend additional training as required as part of their duties. Hope this helps