There are many pressures on business, and first aid for the workplace might feel like another. The regulations seem confusing and it is easy to spend time and money on issues that appear more complex than they need to be.
The legal issues can seem confusing, but are really quite simple. Like most other Health and Safety legislation, first aid is based on risk assessment. The HSE guidance is really quite useful for most workplaces, and it includes hazards, number and experience of employees, working arrangements and accident history. Once the risk assessment is complete the business must act appropriately, appointing the right number of first aiders, trained to the appropriate level.
The HSE guidance bases training on four levels:
- appointed person (AP) – an individual looking after the first-aid equipment and facilities and calling the emergency services when required;
- emergency first aid at work (EFAW) – a first-aider to give emergency first aid to someone who is injured or becomes ill while at work;
- first aid at work (FAW) – a first aider trained to EFAW standards plus the application of first aid to a range of specific injuries and illnesses;
- additional training – first aiders additionally trained in specific workplace hazards relevant to a specific environment, process, chemical or other factor in the workplace.
Synergy has expertise in Health and Safety, and can help you define your risk assessment for first aid for the workplace. Once you have defined your needs, Synergy also provides training for first aid for the workplace:
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