What is a first-aider?
A first-aider is someone who has undertaken training appropriate to the circumstances. They must hold a valid certificate of competence in either:
first aid at work
emergency first aid at work
any other level of training or qualification that is appropriate to the circumstances
Level of training?
Employers can use the findings of their first-aid needs assessment to decide the appropriate level to which first-aiders should be trained.
Emergency first aid at work (EFAW) training enables a first-aider to give emergency first aid to someone who is injured or becomes ill while at work.
First aid at work training includes the EFAW syllabus and also equips the first-aider to apply first aid to a range of specific injuries and illness.
First Aid Certificates
Certificates are valid for three years after which requlaification applies.
To help keep their basic skills up to date, it is strongly recommended that first-aiders undertake annual refresher training.
EFAW - resit the full one day course
FAW - two day requlification training
Certificate must be no later than one month expired
If expired the owner cannot be utilised as a first aider
How many first-aiders does an employer need?
The findings of an employer's first-aid needs assessment will help them decide how many first-aiders are required. There are no hard and fast rules on exact numbers and they will need to take into account all the relevant circumstances of their particular workplace.
The HSE recommend the adjacent table as guidelines.
First Aid for mobile / remote or lone working employees
Lone workers are those who work by themselves without close or direct supervision. Anybody who works alone, including contractors, self-employed people and employee, is classed as a lone worker.
Mobile workers are those who travel around on a daily basis, how would first aid be administered if they became ill or injured at any time?
Remote workers, this does not mean they are on their own however it can mean a delay in the emergency services attending due to a remote location therefore what first aid provisions can be put in place to account for that delay.
You should consider:
issuing personal first-aid kits suitable for the working environment and anticipated accidents
ensure adequate training
issuing personal communicators/mobile phones to employees