First Aid Procedure

Last Reviewed: 26/03/2026

Next Review Date: 26/03/2028

Purpose

The purpose of this procedure is to ensure that adequate and appropriate first aid personnel, equipment, and arrangements are in place so that employees and others, where applicable, receive prompt assistance if they are injured or taken ill at work. This procedure supports the Company’s Health and Safety Policy and forms part of our arrangements for protecting the health, safety, and welfare of employees and others affected by our activities.

Scope

This procedure applies to employees, visitors where appropriate, work at company premises, work carried out off-site, travelling workers, lone workers, and employees attending client or shared sites where first-aid arrangements may need to be considered. HSE advises that first-aid needs assessments should consider the work, the workforce, work patterns, history of accidents, travelling/remote/lone workers, shared sites, and first aid for non-employees where relevant.

First-Aid Arrangements

The company will provide adequate and appropriate first aid personnel, equipment, and arrangements based on its first-aid needs assessment. As a minimum, the company will ensure that there is a suitably stocked first-aid kit, an appointed person to take charge of first-aid arrangements, and information made available to employees regarding the first-aid arrangements. Where the needs assessment identifies additional workplace or workforce risks, the company will provide an appropriate number of trained first-aiders and any additional equipment or facilities required.

First-Aid Needs Assessment

A first-aid needs assessment will be carried out to determine what first-aid equipment, facilities, and personnel are required. In carrying out the assessment, consideration will be given to the type of work undertaken, the hazards and risks present, the size of the workforce, work patterns, holiday and other absences, the history of accidents, travelling and lone working, remote work, shared sites, the proximity of emergency medical services, and first-aid provision for non-employees where relevant. The needs assessment will be reviewed periodically and whenever there are changes that may affect first-aid requirements.

Appointed Persons and First-Aiders

Where the first-aid needs assessment identifies that a first-aider is not required, the company will appoint a person to take charge of the first-aid arrangements. The appointed person will be responsible for looking after first-aid equipment and facilities and calling the emergency services when required. Where the needs assessment identifies that trained first-aiders are required, the company will ensure that they are trained to an appropriate level by a competent training provider and hold a valid certificate of competence. There are no fixed legal numbers of first-aiders; the appropriate number depends on the nature of the work, the location, and the findings of the needs assessment.

Roles and Responsibilities

Management

Management is responsible for ensuring that suitable first-aid arrangements are in place, that the first-aid needs assessment is completed and reviewed, that adequate equipment and personnel are provided, that first-aid information is communicated to employees, and that first-aiders or appointed persons are available whenever people are at work. Management must also ensure that training and requalification are arranged in good time.

First-Aiders / Appointed Persons

First-aiders are responsible for providing assistance within the scope of their training and competence, obtaining further medical assistance where required, and supporting the recording of first-aid treatment and incidents in line with company arrangements. Appointed persons are responsible for taking charge of first-aid arrangements, looking after first-aid kits and facilities, and calling the emergency services when required. Appointed persons are not first-aiders and should not give first aid beyond their level of training or competence.

Employees

Employees must familiarise themselves with the company’s first-aid arrangements, report injuries and illness promptly, co-operate with first-aid arrangements, and inform management where any health issue or emergency medication may need to be considered as part of the first-aid needs assessment, where they are willing for this to be known. HSE advises that employees should be given information about first-aid arrangements and that awareness of relevant health issues can help employers make suitable provision.

First-Aid Equipment and Facilities

The company will provide suitably stocked first-aid kits in appropriate locations based on the first-aid needs assessment. Kits must be easily accessible, checked frequently, and restocked promptly after use. Where identified by the needs assessment, additional materials, equipment, or a first-aid room may be provided.

Off-Site, Lone Working, and Travelling Arrangements

Where employees work away from the main premises, travel regularly, or work alone, the first-aid needs assessment must consider what provision is required for those circumstances. This may include personal first-aid kits, arrangements at client or shared sites, access to site first aid, communication arrangements, and the time needed for emergency services to attend. HSE specifically advises employers to consider the needs of travelling, remote, and lone workers and how close sites are to emergency medical services.

First-Aid Treatment and Recording

All first-aid treatment given at work must be recorded in accordance with company arrangements. Where first aid is required following an accident, incident, or work-related ill health event, the relevant accident / incident reporting form must also be completed where appropriate. First-aid records and any personal information must be handled confidentially and stored securely in line with data protection requirements. Recording supports monitoring, review, and the identification of any need for further action.

Emergency Response and Escalation

Where an injury or illness is serious, the emergency services must be contacted without delay. First-aiders and appointed persons must know how to summon emergency assistance and what site or location information may be required. If an accident or case of ill health is related to work, the company’s accident / incident reporting procedure must be followed, and where the event is potentially reportable under RIDDOR, the responsible person must be informed. First-aid provision and accident reporting are separate but linked arrangements.

Training and Requalification

Where trained first-aiders are required, training must be appropriate to the circumstances and delivered by a competent training provider. The company will monitor certificate expiry dates and arrange requalification before expiry where continued first-aid cover is required. The level of training required, such as emergency first aid at work or first aid at work, will be determined by the first-aid needs assessment.

Communication of Arrangements

Information about first-aid arrangements, including the names or contact details of first-aiders or appointed persons, the location of first-aid kits, and how to obtain help, must be made available to employees.

Review

This procedure and the associated first-aid needs assessment will be reviewed periodically and sooner where there are changes to work activities, locations, staffing levels, accident history, work patterns, or other circumstances that may affect first-aid provision. First-aid arrangements must remain adequate and appropriate to the business and the work being undertaken.