Assessment of needs in the workplace

Level of First Aid Provision

Employers should assess first aid needs appropriate to their particular circumstances and justify setting this level of first aid provision. Although there is no requirement for a formal or written first aid needs assessment, this may be useful documentation. In a first aid needs assessment, employers should consider:
·         Workplace hazards and risks
·         Organisation size
·         Organisation accident history
·         Workforce nature and distribution
·         Site distance from EMS
·         Travelling, remote and lone workers needs
·         Employees at shared or multi-occupied sites
·         Annual leave and other absences of First Aiders and appointed persons

As a Emergency Workplace First Aider or full Workplace First Aider, you should be able immediately to assist patients with common injuries and illnesses as well as those specific to the workplace. Therefore, you may need additional, specific first aid training in addition to the First Aid at Work programme. You should also know how to summon professional medical help or an ambulance.

If an employer’s first aid needs assessment determines niether type of Workplace First Aider is necessary, employers must designate an Appointed Person for first aid arrangements. This includes looking after the equipment and facilities and calling the emergency services when required.

Suggested numbers of first-aid personnel to be available at all times people are at work

From your risk assessment, what degree of hazard is associated with your work activities?	How many employees do you have?	What first-aid personnel do you need?
Low hazard eg offices, shops, libraries	Less than 25	At least one appointed person
	25-50	At least one first-aider trained in EFAW
	More than 50	At least one first-aider trained in FAW for every 100 employed (or part thereof)
Higher hazard eg light engineering and assembly work, food processing, warehousing, extensive work with dangerous machinery or sharp instruments, construction, chemical manufacture	Less than 5	At least one appointed person
	5-50	At least one first-aider trained in EFAW or FAW depending on the type of injuries that might occur
	More than 50	At least one first-aider trained in FAW for every 50 employed (or part thereof)