First Aid Risk Assessment

It is a legal requirement that companies assess any significant risks arising in your workplace, or through the activities you undertake, in order to identify potential risks of injury and
ill-health. The risk assessment will identify the first aid equipment, training and facilities that
you will need.

An employer must:

Conduct an assessment to determine the level of first aid service that must be provided for a workplace.
Provide adequate and appropriate first aid equipment, supplies, facilities, attendants, and services.
Develop written first aid procedures.
Keep and maintain adequate first aid records.

How often must an employer conduct a first aid assessment?
Each employer must conduct an annual first aid assessment. A further assessment may be required if there is a significant change in the employer’s work processes or procedures.

Potential Hazard	Required Control
Working With: Hazardous substances Hazardous materials Power tools Potentially hazardous toolsPotentially hazardous tools Potentially hazardous machinery Heavy loads Dangerous animals	Working with hazardous substances or materials Specific first aid training Specific first aid equipment required A first aid room is required and must be located at a precise site
Number of employees	Low risk, e.g. shops and offices, libraries etc Fewer than 50 employees – at least 1 appointed person. 50-100 employees – at least 1 first aider. More than 100 employees – 1 additional first aider for every 100 employed. Medium risk, e.g. light engineering and assembly work, food processing, warehousing, etc Fewer than 20 employees – at least 1 appointed person 20-100 employees – at least 1 first aider for every 50 employed (or part thereof) More than 100 employees – 1 additional first aider for every 100 employed. High risk, e.g. most construction sites, slaughterhouses, chemical manufacture, extensive work with dangerous machinery or sharp instruments Fewer than 5 employees – at least 1 appointed person. 5-50 employees – at least 1 first aider More than 50 employees – 1 additional first aider for every 50 employed
Employees who travel by car on company business	Issue first aid kits for cars Provide training on use of first aid kits Issue of mobile phones (Make it clear that these are not to be used whilst driving)
Lone Workers travelling alone or working alone and off site	Issue of mobile phones (make it clear that these are not to be used whilst driving) Issue first aid kits Provide training on use of first aid kits Emergency procedures to be implemented and briefed
Work experience trainees or young persons	First aid facilities must include these staff. Medical consent for young persons, or contact details required in the case of an emergency.
Sharing of work facilities with other employers	Arrangements to include interface with other employers and responsibilities.
Members of the public visit your workplace	Ensure first aid provisions cover visitors.
Workplace in a remote area away from emergency medical services	Inform local medical services of your company location and take into consideration any special arrangements arranged with the emergency services.
Shift work or out-of-hours working	First aid provision to include shift work and out of hours working.
Review past accidents	Determine where first aid facilities will be best located. Review contents of first aid kit. Determine level of first aid training.
Employment of disabled employees with learning difficulties	Consider specialist equipment and take into account any personal medication or conditions that may affect first aid treatment.
Company located over a large/split area	Consider the first aid requirements and emergency arrangements for each building or floor.