What are the health and Safety First Aid Regulations?

The Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981 require employers to provide adequate and appropriate equipment, facilities and personnel to ensure their employees receive immediate attention if they are injured or taken ill at work. These Regulations apply to all workplaces including those with less than five employees and to the self-employed.

Do you need HSE approval for first aid training?

As of 1 October 2013, the Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981 have been amended, removing the requirement for HSE to approve first aid training and qualifications. This means that businesses now have more flexibility in how they manage their provision of first aid in the workplace.

When does HSE first aid approval expire?

Legislative change will take effect at midnight on 30 September 2013 and HSE approval of first aid training and qualifications will cease. For training providers currently approved by HSE, regardless of the date of expiry that appears on their approval certificate, their approval to undertake first training will expire and will no longer be valid.

What is an employer’s first-aid policy?

Employers are required to carry out an assessment of first-aid needs. This involves consideration of workplace hazards and risks, the size of the organisation and other relevant factors, to determine what first-aid equipment, facilities and personnel should be provided.

Do the first aid regulations apply to the self-employed?

These Regulations apply to all workplaces including those with less than five employees and to the self-employed. What is ‘adequate and appropriate’ will depend on the circumstances in the workplace. This includes whether trained first-aiders are needed, what should be included in a first-aid box and if a first-aid room is required.

What are the offshore installations and pipeline works (first aid) regulations?

The Offshore Installations and Pipeline Works (First-Aid) Regulations came into force in 1989. The Regulations require the person in control (such as an installation operator) to provide suitable medical and first-aid facilities, as well as sufficiently trained and competent first-aiders and offshore medics.

What should first aid providers consider when responding to an accident?

When responding to an accident, first aid providers must consider the possibility of injury to the casualty’s spine before extracting the casualty from the vehicle.