First aid policy

1 Document summary

This policy sets out how Rotherham, Doncaster and South Humber (RDaSH) NHS Foundation Trust (the trust) complies with the requirements of the Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations (1981) to provide sufficient numbers of first aid trained employees and adequate and appropriate facilities and equipment to be able to deal with accidents, injuries and illness occurring in the workplace. The resources required are determined by carrying out a risk assessment.

The regulations apply to all workplaces including those with less than five employees.

This policy is one of a series of health and safety policies describing the organisation and arrangements in the trust for managing health and safety.

2 Introduction and aim

First aid is immediate temporary care for the ill and injured with the intention of preserving life, preventing an injured or ill person’s condition from worsening and supporting the patient emotionally. This may include treating minor injuries or taking charge where an injury or illness requires further treatment by a medical professional until the patient can be taken to hospital.

It is a legal requirement under the Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations (1981) (amended 2013) for employers to have appropriate arrangements in place for the provision of first aid for employees who are injured or become ill at work. This includes providing sufficient numbers of first aid trained staff and adequate and appropriate facilities and equipment to be able to deal with accidents, injuries and illness occurring in the workplace. The provision of first aid treatment for non-employees does not fall within the scope of the regulations. However, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) strongly recommends that the public are included in first aid needs risk assessments.

It is important to remember that accidents can happen at any time. First aid provision therefore needs to be available at all times within a workplace. It is the aim of this policy to indicate how the trust complies with these requirements

What is “adequate and appropriate” provision will depend on the circumstances in the workplace as different work activities involve different hazards. Risk assessments must be carried out to determine what level of first aid provision is needed, taking into account working patterns.

The minimum first aid provision (as specified in the First Aid Regulations) in any working environment is:

• a suitably stocked first aid box
• an appointed person or persons to take charge of first aid
• information for employees about first aid arrangements

3 Procedure

First aid provision is most efficiently and effectively dealt with on an individual workplace basis. Managers within shared premises such as leased properties, integrated teams and agile working areas must liaise with one another and make decisions based on risk assessment when deciding upon the level of provision necessary.

In summary the process is that location or team managers:

1. carry out a first aid needs risk assessment
2. determine how many first aid trained employees are needed
3. identify employees to undertake training and arrange training
4. display first aid posters detailing names and contact details of local trained first aid personnel
5. provide suitable first aid equipment and resources
6. ensure that work injuries and illness are reported on the trust’s incident reporting system

The following sections provide more details about the process.

3.1 Risk assessment

The starting point for determining first aid requirements, including the number and type of qualified first aiders needed and the type and amount of equipment required is to carry out a first aid risk assessment, sometimes referred to as a “first aid needs assessment”.

In assessing first aid needs, the following should be considered.

• The nature of the work carried out.
• Workplace hazards and risks (including specific hazards requiring special arrangements). Offices are generally considered to be low risk. Higher risk activities include extensive work with dangerous machinery or sharp instruments, construction, chemical usage and inpatient secure environments.
• The nature and size of the workforce.
• Employee work patterns.
• Holidays and other absences of first aiders.
• The history of accidents and types of injuries that have previously occurred. Ensure any injuries and illness that might occur can be dealt with by the first aid trained employees provided. Where first aiders are shown to be unnecessary, there is still a possibility of an accident or sudden illness, so you may wish to consider providing qualified first aiders.

The table below indicates the numbers and qualification requirements for first aid trained employees based on the hazards identified and the number of employees.

Other issues to be taken into account include:

• the needs of travelling, remote and lone workers; employees who travel long distances or are continuously mobile should carry a personal first aid box, mobile phone and be issued with a lone working device if the lone working risk assessment determines one is needed (see the trust’s lone working policy)
• how remote any sites are from emergency medical services
• the needs of inexperienced workers or employees with known disabilities or particular health issues (for example, Asthma, diabetes, peanut allergy, epilepsy or a history of heart disease)
• first aid provision for non-employees (for example, members of the public)

The checklist in appendix A provides more detailed information about the requirements.

3.2 Employees trained in first aid

The findings from the risk assessment will identify the number and type of first aid trained employees required in each workplace. There are three levels of training available:

• appointed person
• emergency first aider
• first aider

The main difference in the three types is the level of training required.
Under the legislation, there should always be an appointed person, but these duties can be taken over by a first aider if one is required. A fourth level may be required for first aid at work with specialist training for specific hazards. This would include staff trained in mental health or paediatric first aid.

3.2.1 First aider

A qualified first aider has undertaken the highest level of training of the three levels. This involves attendance at a first aid at work (FAW) three-day training course. This requires trained persons should be able to administer first aid to a casualty with:

• injuries to bones, muscles and joints, including suspected spinal injuries
• chest injuries
• burns and scalds
• head and eye injuries
• sudden poisoning
• anaphylactic shock
• recognise the presence of major illness (including heart attack, stroke, epilepsy, asthma, diabetes) and provide appropriate first aid

3.2.2 Emergency first aider

In low-risk work environments, such as offices, a risk assessment may indicate that only emergency first aid is required. Staff trained in emergency first aid attend a 1-day course (emergency first aid at work (EFAW)) that includes training in adult resuscitation and treatment of burns, bleeding, seizures and shock.

3.2.3 Appointed person

If a first aid risk assessment indicates that you do not need a trained first aider an appointed person must be identified to take responsibility for first aid arrangements, such as looking after equipment and calling an ambulance. Under the legislation, there should always be an appointed person, but these duties can be taken over by a first aider if one is required.

The first aid training of an appointed person may be minimal, therefore an appointed person should not attempt to administer first aid for which they have not been trained, though short emergency first aid training courses are available.

An appointed person should be available at all times when staff are at work on site. This may mean appointing more than one person.

3.2.4 Health professionals

Provided they can demonstrate current knowledge and skills in first aid appropriate to the hazards and risks identified, the training and experience of the following persons qualifies them to administer first aid in the workplace without the need to hold a first aid qualification:

• doctors registered and licensed with the General Medical Council
• nurses registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council
• paramedics registered with the Health and Care Professions Council

Where current first aid skills cannot be met or be effectively assessed, it is advised that any clinical staff volunteering to provide first aid cover attend the relevant first aid at work (FAW) or emergency first aid at work (EFAW) training course.

3.2.5 Risk of infection to first aid trained employees

The risk of being infected with a blood-borne virus whilst treating a casualty is small. However, to minimise the risk of infection it is recommended that the following precautions be taken:

• cover any cuts or grazes with a waterproof dressing
• Wear suitable disposable gloves when dealing with blood or any other body fluids
• use suitable eye protection and a disposable apron where splash risk is possible
• use devices such as face shields when you give mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, but only if you have been trained to use them
• wash your hands after each procedure
• hepatitis B vaccination (HBV): it is recommended that all first aid trained employees are encouraged to be immunised against hepatitis B

If contact with blood or bodily fluids occurs (including needlestick, bites, scratches, cuts, splash into the eyes, mouth or into cuts or abrasions) the trust’s contamination injury procedure should be followed. This includes encouraging wounds to bleed and irrigating splash injuries, reporting to your manager and contacting the 24-hour hotline on 0330 6600 365 for a risk assessment.

3.3 First aid equipment

The minimum item of equipment is a first aid box which requires checking monthly and after each use by the appointed person or first aider. The British Standard BS 8599-1: January 2019 detailing the content of different types and sizes of first aid kits came into force in March 2019. However, compliance with this is not a legal requirement, but it provides useful guidance.

In line with NHS and St John Ambulance guidelines no ice, gels or creams should be kept in first aid boxes, nor should they be applied to burns. They may cause damage and increase the risk of infection.

If mains tap water is not readily available for eye irrigation, at least one litre of sterile water or sterile saline (0.9%) in sealed, disposable containers should be available. Containers should not be used beyond their expiry date and should be disposed of once the seal has been broken. They should not be reused.

It is recommended that a supply of disposable aprons and gloves are also kept with each first aid box.

3.4 Reporting Incidents

If an injury or sudden illness occurs, the normal incident reporting procedure should be followed. The trust’s radar incident reporting form (via the trust intranet) should be completed with details of the action taken, including any action by the first aider present.

4 Responsibilities

4.1 Employees

All employees should note the first aid arrangements within their area of work and report any concerns. They should also assist any person who is injured or ill in the best way they can, even if all they can do is summon a first aider or appointed person or call an ambulance. All accidents or near misses that occur should be reported via the trust’s radar incident reporting system, available through the trust intranet site.

4.2 Managers and supervisors

Will ensure that:

• a first fid needs risk assessment is carried out to identify first aid requirements appropriate to the circumstances (hazards and risks) for their areas or workplace.
• there are adequate first aid facilities in place, including adequate numbers of trained first aiders (including cover for annual leave and any other foreseeable absence) and suitably stocked first aid kits
• employees report all incidents that involve the provision of first aid using the trust’s incident reporting system.
• first aid information is provided to all staff: including new, temporary, transferred and agency staff, information must include:
  • the location of first aid equipment
  • facilities
  • personnel
• first aid notices and details of first aiders are displayed around workplaces; these will give the locations of first aid equipment, facilities and the names, locations and contact numbers of first aiders

4.3 First aiders

Will:

• attend first aid training (first aid at work (FAW) or emergency first aid at work (EFAW)) and refresher training
• provide first aid to any person injured or falling ill on trust premises
• check first aid box contents and expiry dates on a monthly basis and replenish as required, out of date items should be safely disposed of once they reach their expiry date
• take charge of the casualty until a satisfactory recovery is achieved, or appropriate medical personnel have taken over
• call the emergency services, if needed

4.4 Appointed persons

Will:

• take charge of the first aid arrangements (if there is no first aider), including looking after the first aid equipment and facilities, and calling the emergency services when required
• provide emergency cover in the absence of first aiders but only where the absence is due to exceptional, unforeseen and temporary circumstances; absences such as annual leave do not count.
  Appointed persons do not need first aid training and are not necessary where there is an adequate number of first aiders

5 Training

• Training course: first aid at work and emergency first aid at work, choice of course is dependent on the hazards and level of risk identified in the first aid risk assessment.
• Employee groups requiring training: employees nominated to be first aiders or emergency first aiders.
• Frequency: every three years.
• Length of training:
  • first aid at work (3 days)
  • emergency first aid at work (1 day)
• Delivery method: face to face.
• Delivered by: external provider.

6 Monitoring arrangements

This section is about how we will know that the policy is working effectively.

6.1 Completion of first aid risk assessment

• How: review of document during inspection.
• Who: Health and Safety team.
• Reported to: Health, Safety and Security Forum.
• Frequency: annually.

6.2 Completion of regular checks of the first-aid equipment

• How: review of document during inspection.
• Who: Health and Safety team.
• Reported to: Health, Safety and Security Forum.
• Frequency: annually.

7 Related documents

• Health and safety policy
• Incident management policy
• Resuscitation manual
• Lone working policy
• Agile and hybrid working policy
• Infection prevention and control manual
• The Health and Safety at Work Act (1974)
• First Aid at Work: Guidance on Regulations, L74 (Third edition, published 2013 reissued with minor amendments in 2018 and 2024), HSE
• The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations (1999)
• Health and Safety Executive First aid at work, your questions answered INDG214 (revision 2)
• The Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (2013)
• The Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations (1981) Approved Code of Practice and guidance, 3rd Ed. (2013)

8 Appendices

8.1 Appendix A first aid risk assessment

In order to decide how many first aiders or appointed people to provide in a workplace there are a number of considerations. The checklist in table 1 covers the points you should consider

8.1.1 Table 1 risk assessment checklist

Taken from Health and Safety Executive (HSE) First-aid at work, your questions answered (INDG214) (revision 2).

8.1.1.1 Hazards

Use the findings of your risk assessment and take account of any parts of your workplace that have different work activities or hazards which may require different levels of first aid provision.

8.1.1.2 Employees

8.1.1.3 Accidents and ill health record

8.1.1.4 Working arrangements

8.1.1.5 Non-employees

8.1.2 Table 2 suggested numbers of first aiders to be available at all times people are at work

As a guideline table 2 provides an idea of the numbers and types of first aid employees needed based on the level of risk and the number of people working in a particular type of work environment.

Lower hazard level: shops, offices, libraries and small cafés.

Higher hazard level: light engineering, food processing, warehousing, extensive work with dangerous machinery or sharp instruments, construction, chemical usage and inpatient secure environments.

The numbers given in table 2 are suggestions only. You should assess your first aid needs in the light of your particular circumstances. Where there are special circumstances, such as shift work or sites with several buildings, there may need to be more first aid personnel than set out in table 2. You will need increased provision to cover for absences.

Suggested content of the first aid box

There is no mandatory list of items to put in a first aid box. It depends on what you assess your needs to be. As a guide, where work activities involve low hazards, a minimum stock of first-aid items might be:

• a leaflet giving general guidance on first aid (for example, Health and Safety Executive’s leaflet: Basic advice on first aid at work)
• 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

This is a suggested contents list only.

It is recommended that tablets, medicines, creams and gels are not kept in the first aid box.

More detailed information about the content of first aid boxes may be found in the British Standard BS 8599-1: January 2019.

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Document control

• Version: 7.
• Unique reference number: 213.
• Approved by: Risk Management Group.
• Date approved: 3 February 2026.
• Name of originator or author: health and safety lead.
• Name of responsible individual: chief nurse.
• Date issued: 10 February 2026.
• Review date: 31 January 2029.

Page last reviewed: February 10, 2026
Next review due: February 10, 2027

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