Many of us think of first aid as helping strap up a footballer’s twisted ankle or soothing a child who’s fallen off her bike. Yet more than 600,000 of us have an accident at work each year – which makes providing the correct first aid response vital for the safety and wellbeing of all members of staff.

This doesn’t only apply in workplaces where there are obvious potential hazards, such as a chemical plant or a goods depot. Many accidents happen in offices, too – a spilt kettle of boiling water, for example, or a trip over a trailing computer cable both require someone who knows how to respond quickly and correctly. Even a deep paper cut will need first aid!

Legal Requirements

Under the Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981, all employers must make arrangements to ensure their employees can receive immediate attention if they are injured or taken ill. This includes carrying out a risk assessment of the workplace, appointing an appropriate number of first aiders and ensuring they are fully trained.

A responsible employer will go beyond the minimum legal requirement, however. Many companies with staff on several floors of a building will have at least one qualified first aider on each floor so that assistance can be provided as speedily as possible. Ensuring first aid kits are easily accessible to trained personnel is another sign that an employer has a proactive and supportive attitude towards its staff.

The Right Training

It’s important that potential first aiders attend training that’s designed for the environment in which they’re working.

Human Touch offers a QA Level 3 Award in First Aid at Work (QCF) for those who want to act as a first aider in their workplace, covering a range of injuries and illnesses and all the skills needed to give emergency first aid. This is recommended for industrial settings.

The QA Level 2 Award in Emergency First Aid at Work (QCF) qualification is for anyone who wants to act as an emergency first aider in their workplace, covering the key skills needed to give safe, prompt and effective first aid in an emergency situation: perfect for most offices.

Human Touch also offer requalification courses so first aiders can update their skills and knowledge every three years.

Please contact us for information about our first aid at work training courses. Our skilled team is happy to answer all your questions.

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