Posted By Ian Cunningham
Martin.

According to Croners (Law of Health and Safety at Work 2007/08),

"First aiders should be provided in sufficient numbers and at appropriate locations. The ACOP suggests that where there are 50 or more employees employed, at least one first aider should be provided unless the assessment justifies otherwise. However, there are no hard and fast rules: a small organisation, with comparatively low health and safety risks may not need a first aider but will need an appointed person"

The script then goes on to say

"An appointed person is not necessarily a qualified first aider, but should be given instruction on how to look after the equipt and, as a minimum, should know what to do in emergency situations"

In my experience, if an appointed person is selected and has no formal first aid training, he/she should at least know who, how and when to contact emergency services etc.

The ACOP which I believe is available as a free(?)download and some other documents from the HSE website is very useful in this area.

The R.A will identify what hazards and risk exist that will make the decision a bit easier.

I hope this has been of some use.

Best Wishes

Ian

Posted By Chas
Have a look at the First Aid at Work ACOP [L74]. The checklist in appendix 1 is there to help you determine the need for having a qualified first aider. The minimum provision on any site should be a first aid kit, an appointed person (refer to ACOP for role) and information for employees on the first aid arrangements. Having said this I always encourage people to become a fully qualified first aider because of the potential benefits the knowledge provides outside of the workplace. Hope this helps.