Posted By Jeff Manion
Category of risk Numbers employed at location Suggested numbers of first-aid personnel
Lower risk;
shops, office, libraries Fewer than 50 At least one appointed person
50 to 100 At least one first aider
More than 100 One additional first aider for every 100
Medium risk;
Light engineering and assembly work, food processing, warehouse. Fewer than 20 At least one appointed person
20 to fifty At least one first aider for every 50 employed (or part thereof)
More than 100 One additional first aider for every 100 employed
Higher risk;
Most construction, slaughterhouse, chemical manufacture, extensive work with dangerous machinery or sharp instruments Fewer than 5 At least one appointed person
5 to 50 At least one first aider
More than 50 One additional first aider for every 50 employed
Where there are hazards for which additional first-aid skills are necessary In additional, at least one first aider trained in the specific emergency action
Aspects to consider Impact on first-aid provision
Hazardous substances
Dangerous tools and machinery
Dangerous loads
Animals Specific first-aid training
Additional first-aid equipment
Site of first aid equipment
Areas of different levels of risk May require different first-aid provisions for each area of risk
Historical records of accidents and ill health Could impact on first aid provisions
Number of people employed on site including work experience trainees May require first aiders
Workers, who are inexperienced, have disabilities or special health problems Special equipment
Location of equipment
Specific first-aid training
Size of premises i.e. multi-site, multi floor buildings etc Consideration given to how long (time and distance) it would take to access first-aid provisions
Workplace location from emergency Inform local medical services of your services location.
Consider special arrangements with the emergency services.
At least one first aider may be required
Shift work or out-of-hours working First aid provision is required at all times people are at work
Periods when first aiders or appointed persons are absent i.e. holidays, sick leave, lunch break etc More first aiders or appointed persons may need to be available to cover such times
Employees who work of travel alone Issue of personal first-aid kits and training in their use issuing personal communicators
Employees who work at site occupied by other employers Arrangements will need to be made with the other site occupiers
Members of the public who visit your premises. Although you have no legal responsibilities for non-employees the HSE strongly recommends that you include all persons when considering first aid provisions.