Anyone who has had to deal with an emergency knows how important it is to have the right people on the scene. Three essential roles must be filled when treating an injury: a first aider, a doctor, and a paramedic.
These roles sometimes cross, but one of those three key roles is on hand. But how many emergency first-aiders do you need?
In the UK, No Legal Regulations Specify How Many First Aiders You Have to Have On-Site
The number of first aiders you need on-site is up to your organization.
In the UK, no legal regulations specify how many first aiders you have to have on-site. Some organizations have one on every shift, while others have different policies based on their needs and size.
For example, if you’re a small business with three employees, and only one employee is trained as a first aider, then that person should be able to take care of everyone in the office.
If your business has more than 50 employees, it might make sense to have two trained first aiders on-site—one specifically trained to work with children and one trained in providing CPR.
To Know Your First Aid Requirements, the HSE of 1981 Advise Undertaking a First Aid Needs Assessment
The HSE (Health and Safety) of 1981 Advise Undertaking a First Aid Needs Assessment to know your first aid requirements. The first aid course is an essential element of the conditions for becoming a qualified public member. The course must be completed by all new employees in charge of people who can provide first aid treatment.
It must be completed before working as an emergency medical technician (EMT), EMT-I, paramedic, or another emergency professional. The course also guides people who are in charge of people who are not involved with first aid but may need to provide first aid treatment.
The assessment covers everything from using defibrillators and bandage wounds to dealing with choking emergencies.
You may want to check SkillsTG for more detailed information about first-aid training in the
- You’ll discover that learning emergency first aid is now possible in just one day when you find the right course suitable for you or your company’s needs. The course also teaches students how to prepare for an emergency and what to do if they encounter one at work or outside of work hours.
The Assessment Should Help You Determine the Number and Level of First Aiders You Need
First aid is a vital and complex skill that is learned through practice. The National Health Service (NHS) recommends an annual refresher course for first aid, but many people ignore taking this opportunity to keep their skills up to date.
The ability to provide emergency care in an emergency can be life-saving. Still, it requires understanding the medical conditions that may require immediate treatment and how to deal with them.
This assessment is designed to help you determine the number and level of first aiders you need. The number of first aiders you require will depend on the following:
- the size of your business
- the level of risk involved in your industry
- your budget for emergency preparedness
The assessments are based on independent research conducted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
Business’s Risk Assessment and Ofsted Requirements
Your business’s risk assessment and Ofsted requirements may also affect how many emergency first-aiders you need. It is essential to ensure you have enough emergency first aiders on hand in an emergency. But what exactly does this mean? And how many emergency first-aiders do you need?
The difference between a “first aid kit” and an “emergency first aid kit.” The former deals with minor emergencies, like little cuts or bruises. The latter contains more potent treatments, such as CPR. In either case, you’ll want to ensure you have enough supplies when an emergency strikes—no matter what emergency it is.
The number of emergency first-aiders you need depends on your business’s risk assessment and how many people are working in the company. If your business has a high-risk assessment, then you may need a more significant number of emergency first aiders than if your business does not have an Ofsted rating.
The UK’s emergency first aiders must be trained and ready for any incident, whether an accident or a terrorist attack; the risk is categorized as follows:
- The low-risk category is one in which the emergency first aider can do their job without special training. These businesses include local police stations, fire stations, and hospitals.
- The medium-risk category includes any business that has been identified as being at risk of having an emergency. It could include schools, shopping malls, cinemas, and large public spaces like train stations.
- The high-risk category includes any business at extreme risk of having an emergency. It could consist of factories, constructions, or warehouses that produce hazardous chemicals or equipment that produces toxic emissions.
Final Thoughts
One thing to remember is that these rules are guidelines only. Of course, the answer to the question of how many emergency first aiders you need at your workplace depends on your workplace size.
The law does state that businesses must “make suitable arrangements” for first aid. Read essential guidelines or contact your local council or HSE office for more detailed advice.