Whether you need guidance on first aid training or information on implementing first aid procedures, our expert advice highlights the key points to consider when assessing your workplace first aid personnel needs.
First Aid Advice and Support
The key considerations you need to review when assessing your workplace first aid.
What Size Kit Does Your Workplace Need?
The size of first aid kit required is dependent on a combination of the business’ level of risk and the number of employees in the workplace. The table below provides guidance for employers but does not replace the requirement to carry out a risk assessment.
| Materials | First Aid Travel Kit Contents | First Aid Box Contents | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1-10 people | 11-25 people | 26-50 people1 | ||
| Adhesive plasters | 20 | 20 | 20 | 40 |
| Sterile eye pads | 2 | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| Individually wrapped triangular bandages | 2 | 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Safety pins | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| Individually wrapped, sterile, unmedicated wound dressings medium(10 x 8 cm) | 1 | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| Individually wrapped, sterile, unmedicated wound dressings large (13 x 9 cm) | 1 | 2 | 6 | 8 |
| Individually wrapped, sterile, unmedicated wound dressings extra large (23 x 17.5cm) | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
| Individually wrapped disinfectant wipes | 10 | 10 | 20 | 40 |
| Paramedic shears | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Pairs of examination gloves | 3 | 5 | 10 | 10 |
| Sterile water where there is no running water2 | 2 x 20ml | 1 x 500ml | 2 x 500ml | 2 x 500ml |
| Pocket face mask | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Water-based burns dressing small (10 x 10 cm)3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Water-based burns dressing large3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Crepe bandage (7cm) | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
1 Where more than 50 people are employed, pro rata provision should be made.
2 Where mains tap water is not readily available for eye irrigation, sterile water or sterile normal saline (0.9%) in scaled disposable containers should be provided. Each container should hold at least 20ml and should be discarded once the seal is broken. Eye bath/eye cups/refillable containers should not be used for eye irrigation due to the risk of cross-infection. The container should be CE marked.
3 Where mains tap water is not readily available for cooling the burnt area.
The table is only a guide and each workplace need to conduct its own risk assessment to monitor its first aid requirements. Special circumstances also needs to be considered, such as remoteness from medical services, distinct hazards, such as hydrofluoric acid and sites that are made up of several buildings. In these situations, employers may need to stock more first aid supplies than recommended in the above table.
Workplace Assessment of First Aid Needs
The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) suggests that a first aid kit needs to be "adequate and appropriate in the circumstances" for enabling first aid to be given to persons at every place where working conditions require it. This is done by performing a risk assessment of needs on each area of the workplace.
Here are some important first aid considerations for your risk assessment of first aid needs.
The Nature of Your Work
The first thing to consider is the kind of work that is undertaken in your workplace and the hazards this might cause. Bear in mind that different areas of your business will carry different risks. For example, a different assessment of needs will need to be done for an office compared to the shop floor or a factory, exposure to hazardous substances or use of dangerous tools.
Size of the Organisation
Generally, the larger the workforce the greater the need for your organisation will have for first aid supplies.
Type of Workforce
Special conditions need to be taken for any vulnerable individuals in employment, including pregnant women, young workers, and those with disabilities.
Distribution of Workforce
An organisation whose employees are spread out over a vast area, or working in isolated locations, will require more first aid kits than one whose workers are still in the same building.
Employers must regularly review their first aid kit contents to ensure supplies are stocked up and use by dates have not expired. If a first aid kit is stored in a public area there needs to be procedures in place to frequently check the contents to prevent theft and tampering. This process is normally the duty of a first aider or a trained person.
What First Aid Personnel Does Your Workplace Need?
An important part of any workplace health and safety procedure is to consider first aid response. It is vital that businesses have enough first aiders who are correctly trained and ready to respond to any incident. Generally, the larger the workforce the greater the need your organisation will have for first aid training.
The table below provides guidance for employers on quantity and types of first aid trained personnel required.
| Type of Workplace | Maximum number of employees present at any one time | Number of occupational first aiders |
|---|---|---|
|
Low Hazard
e.g. shops, offices, libraries |
Up to 49 | 1 if risk assessment shows it to be necessary |
| 50 to 149 | Minimum 1 | |
| 150 to 299 | Minimum 2 | |
| More than 300 | 1 extra for every 150 employees or part thereof | |
| Underground mines | 1 for every 10 employees or part thereof | |
| Other workplaces | Up to 99 | 1 if risk assessment shows it to be necessary |
| 100 to 399 | 1 | |
| 500 to 699 | 2 | |
| More than 700 | 1 extra for every 300 employees or part thereof |
First Aid Training
At Arco, our Professional Safety Services team offer a full programme of first aid courses suitable for all organisations regardless of size and number of employees.
More from Arco
Our Range
Accidents or illness at work can happen at any time, so you need be prepared and have the right first aid kit and supplies available. Choose from our comprehensive range of first aid products.
Safety Regulations
Employers have a legal duty to ensure their employees receive immediate first aid if they suffer an injury or illness at work. Find out about the regulations that you need to know to stay compliant.
Recommended Products
At Arco, we have a comprehensive range of first aid products that are compliant to the standards and offer different configurations and sizes to meet the needs of varying environments, risk levels and number of people exposed to those risks.
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