Do Small Businesses Need a First Aider?

Do Small Businesses Need a First Aider?

The short answer is: not necessarily. Every UK business is legally required to provide appropriate first-aid provision whether you're a large corporation with hundreds of employees or a small business with a team of 5.

The Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981 require employers to provide adequate and appropriate equipment, facilities and personnel to ensure employees receive immediate attention if they are injured or become ill at work.

In today's blog, we will break down your legal requirements and explore the different first aid options that your small business has.

Start With a First Aid Needs Assessment

It is an employer's responsibility to assess their first aid needs in order to provide protection for employees. A first aid needs assessment helps you, as the employer, determine what first aid cover is adequate and appropriate for your specific workplace.

How to carry out the assessment:

1. Identify hazards - From slips and trips to burns and traumatic injuries.
2. Do a headcount - Count the maximum number of people that could be on the premises at any one time. Think about any potential visitors too.
3. Highlight when and where people work - Different shift patterns or areas of the workplace can affect your first aid procedures.
4. Plan for absences - Health and safety is always top priority, even when people are on annual leave or have sick days. Your business should be covered at all times.
5. Check your location - Where is the nearest hospital? How long would it take an emergency crew to reach your premises? What is the access into your workplace like?
6. Think about your accident history - This gives you an insight into the level of first aid your organisation requires.

Once you've completed your first-aid needs assessment, you can decide what provisions your business needs, including whether you need a trained first aider or an appointed person.

How Many First Aiders Does Your Small Business Need?

The number of first aiders in your workplace depends on the nature of work, number of employees and of course, the outcome of your first aid needs assessment.

Here's a rough outline from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) guidance:

For low-risk workplaces (For example, offices, libraries and shops):

• Less than 25 employees - At least one appointed person. HSE also explains that, although an Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW)-trained first aider is not necessary, an employer may still choose to provide one.
• 25 to 50 employees - At least one first aider trained in EFAW.

For high-risk workplaces (For example construction, agriculture and engineering):

• Less than 5 employees - At least one appointed person.
• 5 to 50 employees - At least one first aider trained in EFAW or First Aid at Work (FAW), depending on the type of injuries that might occur.

A First Aider vs an Appointed Person

Both roles are extremely important when it comes to health and safety in the workplace but can often become confused.

An appointed person is responsible for overseeing the workplace's first-aid arrangements, including maintaining equipment and contacting the emergency services when necessary. They do not need to hold a first-aid qualification.

A first aider, on the other hand, is someone who has completed appropriate first-aid training and is qualified to provide first aid within the scope of their training.

Protect Your Workplace the Safer UK Way

While some small, low-risk businesses may only need an appointed person, it's important to ensure your workplace has appropriate first-aid cover and arrangements in place for unexpected absences or holidays.

At Safer UK, we provide fully accredited first aid training courses including EFAW and FAW. Get in touch today to see how we can help you protect your employees and stay compliant.