Rank: New forum user 
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Hello Everyone,
I must apologise for my ignorance up front - My question is : To comply with H&S law do you have to have a First Aid room ?
Background to the question is we have approx 130 staff based on 4 floors - we are downsizing to 2 floors and obviously storage space is an issue, we currently have a first aid room which if used as a store room would solve any storage problems, we do have a enclosed break out area with soft seating where staff can take there lunch breaks which could be used and the location of the office is in the middle of a city centre with a general hospital close by. Can anyone advise me please?
Thanks in anticipation
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Rank: Forum user
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The first question I would ask is what Industry do your work in and also what types of injuries are likely to happen to your staff??
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Rank: Forum user
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a lot of organisations do not provide a room specifically for first aid.
Health and Safety (First aid )regulations apply
They make no specific reference to a first aid room just first aiders and facilities subject to risk assessment
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Rank: Super forum user
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Sounds as if it would be office workers?
i guess the first question would be how often does the first aid room get used at the moment? do you do any health surveillance where you would need a private area. if not then i wouldn't see an issue with getting rid off it. have you got any feedback from staff or do any of them feel the need for it (do they have medical conditions)
Phil
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Rank: Forum user
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The First Aid Regs require you to carry out an assessment of needs, and also contains some useful guidance within the ACoP. In my view, it is the assessment of needs and your subsequent first aid provision that demonstrates compliance. Your first aid provision should be proportionate to the business, including the nature of hazards and risks, number of employees, number of sites, workinig patterns etc.
The organisation I work for is predominantly office based, but we have two first aid rooms that are frequently used when people feel ill, don't want to throw up in the toilet, need a lie down etc. We also use them for various wellbeing initiatives, e.g. holding blood pressure and cholesterol checks.
Carry out the assessment, using all of the guidance in the ACoP and make your justification as to whether you require first aid rooms or not, and what facilities you will make available.
Stephen
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Rank: New forum user
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Hi,
Thanks for the quick replies - We are indeed office based, The room is rarely used, only once this year and that was for someone with a hangover, there are no medical issues that require use of the room. I have spoken to the First Aiders and as we do have a quiet area they feel this would be more than adequate.
Regards.......
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Rank: Super forum user 
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The ACOP to the 1st Aid regs says this: 'A first-aid room will usually be necessary where there are higher hazards such as in chemical industries or on large construction sites, and in larger premises at a distance from medical services.'; a normal office doesn't meet these criteria, unless say your office is at the MOD base on St Kilda,
John
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