Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981
Full coverage of legislation can be found at www.hse.gov.uk/firstaid/legislation.htm
The Regulations require that, in order to provide first aid to their employees who are injured or become ill while at work, employers must have suitable people, equipment and facilities. Regulation 3(2) says that:

'…for this purpose a person shall not be suitable unless he/she has undergone: such training and has such qualifications as the HSE may approve…' and 'such additional training, if any, as may be appropriate in the circumstances of that case.'

As the country's oldest established independent Occupational Health Service, we pride ourselves on being able to provide the information and advice necessary to help you meet the requirements of the Act. · Employers are required by law to make an assessment of significant risks in the workplace and ascertain the risks of injury and ill health identified in such risk assessments. In trying to implement the above, it would be easy to over estimate first aid requirements, however the following details need to be taken into consideration when deciding upon what cover is needed:

• How high is the level of risk in your workplace?
  > Hazardous substances
  > Dangerous tools
  > Dangerous machinery
  > Dangerous loads or animals
• What is the size and layout of your facility?
• How many employees do you have on your site (or sites)?
• Do certain areas present more potential risks than others?
• Is there a shift system or out of hours working where you will require extra cover for rotation?
• Does your present cover allow for holidays and sickness?
• Have your procedures, or type of work, changed at all?
• What is the distance from outside medical services?
• Do your employees work at sites occupied by other employers?
• Do you have non employees on your premises, i.e. work experience trainees and members of the public?

These are just a few areas to take into consideration. No one can foresee major disasters, but we at Corporate Health do not just train First Aiders to deal with medical emergencies, we also train them to think about your company's needs within the whole spectrum of Health & Safety at Work. These courses may be adapted to suit individual company needs:

• 4 Day First Aid at Work and 2 Day Re-Qualification First Aid at Work Courses are HSE registered and certificated.
• All our instructors and examiners are experienced in Occupational Health and hold current HSE Approved First Aid Certificates.
• Courses are conducted at our Slough Centre or on-site, and may be tailored to suit individual company needs.
• A maximum of 12 students per course.
• Resuscitation Mannequins are generally available at one per person.
• Course fees include all tuition and course notes. No VAT charges.
• A database is maintained to recall students six months before their certificates expire.
• Medical Indemnity and immunisation against Hepatitis B offered.
• Corporate Health Supplies can also provide First Aid boxes and accessories. (You will need to ensure that first aid supplies are available in each of your buildings or on several floors and that the contents of your boxes are kept constantly reviewed).

First Aid At Work, which course do I need ?

The definition of a First Aider, is a person who has attended a 4 Day First Aid at Work course. Successful students are issued with an H.S.E. approved certificate which is valid for 3 years. To maintain their qualification, First Aiders, must take a 2 day re-qualification course, before their current certificate expires, otherwise they will have to retake the 4 day course again. You can provide additional cover by sending staff on a 1 Day Appointed Persons course. This will allow them to assist in an emergency, and take charge of an incident in the absence of a First Aider. Appointed Persons are issued with a certificate which is valid for 3 years.

The level of first aid equipment provided should match the needs of the workplace and although there is no mandatory list of items which must be provided, contents should be as shown in our Corporate Health Supplies data sheets. Traveling first aid kits are also available.

All first aid containers must be identified by a white cross on a green background.

First aid rooms, if deemed necessary, should contain essential first aid facilities and equipment, be easily accessible to stretchers and be clearly sign-posted and identified. They should be large enough to house a couch etc., have washable surfaces and adequate heating, ventilation and lighting, be kept clean and tidy etc.

A full range of First Aid Supplies is available through Corporate Health Supplies. Please call 01753 781604 or e-mail bernice cole@corporatehealth.co.uk for further information.