First aid regulations in the workplace are regulated by the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) in the United Kingdom. Under the  Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981 act, employers are required to provide “adequate and appropriate” first aid provision in the workplace.

So what exactly does this mean?

You can use the First Aid at Work assessment tool to find out what first aid provision you need to have.

As a minimum, employers need to have:

> An “Appointed person” – this person is responsible for ensuring first aid equipment is available and fully stocked. They are also responsible for contacting the emergency services should an incident occur. An ‘appointed person’ does not need to have formal first aid training.

> A first aid box/kit which is suitably stocked.

There is no set requirements for what a first aid box should contain, however the HSE does give some suggestions:

• a leaflet giving general guidance on first aid
• 20 individually wrapped sterile plasters (assorted sizes), appropriate to the type of work (you can provide hypoallergenic plasters, if necessary);
• two sterile eye pads;
• four individually wrapped triangular bandages, preferably sterile;
• six safety pins;
• two large, individually wrapped, sterile, unmedicated wound dressings;
• six medium-sized, individually wrapped, sterile, unmedicated wound dressings;
• a pair of disposable gloves

> Appropriate information for employees about the first aid arrangements in the workplace

If your first aid assessment shows that you need a qualified first aider in the workplace then they should hold either:

– Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW) – 1 day course

– First Aid at Work (FAW) – 3 day course

These courses are run by HSE approved first aid training providers. The HSE strongly recommends that first aiders also undertake annual refresher training.

You can find more information about first aid regulations on the HSE website