APPENDIX 3

FIRST AID NEEDS ASSESSMENT

LOCATION: NAME OF ASSESSOR: DESIGNATION:
WORK ACTIVITIES UNDERTAKEN IN AREA BEING ASSESSED DATE:
ASPECT TO CONSIDER / FINDINGS / IMPACT ON FIRST AID PROVISION
  1. List the risks of injury/ill health arising from work activities. (the Risk Assessments carried out under the ‘Management Regs’ may identify these)
/ If the risks are significant you may need to ensure first aiders are employed and available.
  1. List any specific risks arising (e.g. hazardous substances, dangerous machinery/equip, water, electrics, work at height etc.).
/ Where specific risks are noted you will need to consider:
- specific training for first aiders
- extra first aid equipment
- appropriate location of equip.
- informing emergency services
- first aid room.
  1. Are large numbers of people employed on site? (see Table 1 on following page).
/ First aiders may be required due to the higher probability of an accident.
  1. Do accident / incident statistics identify any particular type of injury/ill health as a consequence of the work activity?
/ You may need to review first aid provisions in certain areas and review the content of first aid box/equipment.
  1. Do you have any inexperienced workers, trainees, employees with disabilities, special health problems, reading/language difficulties? (give details).
/ You will need to consider
- Special equipment
- Siting of equipment
- Take account of needs re
communication etc.
  1. Are the work locations/
premises spread out/multi-floor etc. (give details) / You will need to consider provision in each location/floor/ vehicle etc.
ASPECT TO CONSIDER / FINDINGS / IMPACT ON FIRST AID PROVISION
  1. Is there shift work / out of
hours work? (give details) / First aid provision is required at all times people are at work.
  1. Do you have employees
who travel a lot or work
alone? (give details) / You will need to consider
- providing personal first aid
kits and training staff in their
use.
- providing a personal means of
communication.
  1. Do any of your employees
work on sites occupied by
other employees? (give
details) / You will need to make arrangements with other site occupiers.
  1. Do members of the public
visit your premises? (give
details) / HSE strongly recommends their inclusion in your first aid provision.

EXISTING PROVISION:

  1. How many first aiders are currently available on site?

  1. Is a register of such persons maintained on site and updated as necessary?

  1. What first aid equipment is provided on site, in vehicles etc.?

  1. Is the equipment checked and replaced on a regular basis (as necessary)?

  1. Where is the equipment located?

  1. Are all employees fully aware of who the first aiders/ appointed persons are?

  1. Are all employees, including first aiders/appointed persons, familiar with action to be taken in event of accident with regard to first aid?

FINDINGS OF NEEDS ASSESSMENTS:
Do the existing arrangements meet the first aid requirements as identified in the needs assessment?
If you consider the existing arrangements to be inadequate, give details of additional first aid requirements you consider are necessary to meet the needs identified; any additional requirements must be put in place.

REVIEW DATE:

Blank assessment sheets for assessment reviews are available from Occupational Health and Safety

Tel: 6520

TABLE 1

Suggested numbers of first-aid personnel to be available at all times people are at work, based on assessments of risk and number of workers

Where there are special circumstances, such as remoteness from emergency medical services, shiftwork, or sites with several separate buildings, there may need to be more first-aid personnel than set out below. Increased provision will be necessary to cover for absences.

Category of Risk / Numbers employed at any Location / Suggested number of first-aid personnel
Lower risk
Eg shops, offices, libraries / Fewer than 50
50-100
More than 100 / At least one appointed person
At least one first aider
One additional first aider for every 100 employed
Medium risk
Eg light engineering and assembly work, food processing, warehousing / Fewer than 20
20-100
More than 100 / At least one appointed person
At least one first aider for every 50 employed (or part thereof)
One additional first aider for every 100 employed
Higher risk
Eg most construction, slaughterhouse, chemical manufacture, extensive work with dangerous machinery or sharp instruments / Fewer than 5
5-50
More than 50
Where there are hazards for which additional first-aid skills are necessary / At least one appointed person
At least one first aider
One additional first aider for every 50 employed
In addition, at lease one first aider trained in the specific emergency action

H&S/MH/AMcK/26-7

Data Label: Internal