Facilities Manager's Desk Reference, 3rd Edition

20First Aid at Work

20.1 Introduction

People can suffer injury or sudden illness at any time, and this may be in the workplace. It is important for employers to make arrangements to ensure their employees receive immediate attention if they are injured or taken ill at work.

People with first‐aid training may have a positive influence on health and safety in the workplace. First‐aiders may be in an advantageous position to help spread positive, basic health and safety messages throughout their organisation.

20.2 Definition of first aid

When employees become ill or suffer injuries at work, it is important that immediate first‐aid attention is obtainable and, if necessary, an ambulance called. First aid given promptly and effectively can save lives; often it can assist in the prevention of minor injuries deteriorating into serious injuries. In many incidents and accidents, it is the only treatment necessary. It is recommended that organisations develop a first‐aid policy that covers the arrangements required to ensure that appropriate first‐aid provision is situated in all places of work throughout the organisation. Depending on the size and structure of the organisation, this policy may be managed by the occupational health, human resources, or health and safety functions, or it may be one of the many aspects of the FM (facilities management, or facilities manager) function.

20.3 Health and Safety (First‐Aid) Regulations 1981

The Health and Safety (First‐Aid) Regulations ...