F.A.Q’s or Frequently asked questions, are always handy to get the information you want fast.

If there is something that is not covered here then please do not hesitate to Contact Us, and we will try our best to help you.

First aid box

Q. What should a first aid box in the workplace contain? Click for Answer

A. There is no mandatory list of contents for first aid boxes. Deciding what to include should be based on the employer’s assessment of first aid needs. Equivalent but different items will be considered acceptable. Any items in the first aid box that have passed their expiry date should be disposed of safely.

In general, tablets and medication should not be kept in the first aid box.

A suggested list of contents for traveling first aid kits is included in the Approved Code of Practice and Guidance: First aid at work. The Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981 L74[

Q. How often should the contents of first aid boxes be replaced? Click for Answer

First aid equipment

Q. What first aid equipment should be provided? Click for Answer

There may be a need for items such as protective equipment where first aiders may have to enter dangerous atmospheres. This should be securely stored near the first aid box, in the first aid room or the hazard area, as appropriate. Access to the equipment should be restricted to those trained in its use.
If mains tap water is not readily available for eye irrigation, at least one litre of sterile water or sterile normal saline (0.9%) in sealed, disposable containers should be provided. When the seal has been broken, the container should not be reused. The container should not be used beyond its expiry date.

First aid for the public

Q. Do I need to make first aid provision for members of the public? Click for Answer

Q. Do the Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981 cover large events such as concerts?Click for Answer

First aid for travelling, remote and lone workers

Q. I have employees who travel regularly or work elsewhere, what should I do about first aid provision for them? Click for Answer

• those who travel long distances or are continuously mobile should carry a personal first aid box;
• special arrangements need to be made for employees who work in remote areas; and
• to provide other means of summoning help, such as a mobile phone, for employees who work alone.

First aid in schools

Q. How do the Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981 relate to first aid provision in schools? Click for Answer

First aid rooms

Q. Do I need to provide a room for first aid? Click for Answer

• a sink with hot and cold running water;
• drinking water and disposable cups;
• soap and paper towels;
• a store for first aid materials;
• foot-operated refuse containers, lined with disposable yellow clinical waste bags or a container for the safe disposal of clinical waste;
• a couch with waterproof protection, clean pillows and blankets;
• a chair;
• a telephone or other communication equipment;
• a record book for recording incidents where first aid has been given.

Q. Who should have access to the first aid room? Click for Answer

First aid signs

Q. What signs should I have? Click for Answer

Q. Where should I put them? Click for Answer

First aiders

Q. How many first aiders do I need? Click for Answer

Q. Can legal action be taken against first aiders? Click for Answer

It is recommended that you seek legal advice, or advice from your employer’s insurance brokers on whether their policies cover first aiders’ liability.

Q. Does my employee need to do any training to be a first aider? Click for Answer

Infection

Q. When dealing with a casualty, how can the risk of cross infection be minimised? Click for Answer

Particular concerns have been raised about the possibility of first aiders becoming infected by a blood-borne virus (including HIV, hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus) while performing first aid. All courses will give direction and guidance on how to prevent infection and cross contamination.

Q. Can an individual with a blood-borne virus (HIV, hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus) become a first aider in the workplace? Click for Answer

• they are under regular medical supervision;
• they have sought and are following advice from their medical practitioner;
• they understand the routes of occupational transmission of blood-borne diseases;
• they practise cross infection precautions regularly.

Practising cross infection procedures should include those that can be taken by first aiders to reduce the risk of cross infection when actually administering first aid.
Generally, there is no legal obligation on employees to disclose they have a BBV. If an employee is known to have a BBV, this information is strictly confidential and must not be passed on to anyone else without the employee’s permission. Where an employer is aware that an employee has a BBV, they can take this into account if assessing their suitability as a first aider.

Record keeping

Q. Do I need to record incidents requiring the attention of a first aider? Click for Answer

There is a legal requirement to report accidents and ill health at work. Information on the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995 will also be taught on the course

Q. What information should be recorded? Click for Answer

• date, time and place of incident;
• name and job of the injured or ill person;
• details of the injury/illness and what first aid was given;
• what happened to the person immediately afterwards (for example went home, went back to work, went to hospital);
• name and signature of the first aider or person dealing with the incident.

Q. Who is responsible for keeping the records? Click for Answer

Tablets and medication

Q. Are first aiders allowed to give tablets and medication to casualties? Click for Answer

HSE has no objection to employers providing vending machines for dispensing paracetamol. It is preferable that these machines are not located in areas where the public will have access to them.

Some workers carry their own medication such as inhalers for asthma or ‘Epipens’ which contain injectable adrenaline for the treatment of severe allergic (anaphylactic) reactions, for example to peanuts. These medications are prescribed by a doctor. If an individual needs to take their own prescribed medication, the first aider’s role is limited to helping them do so and contacting the emergency services as appropriate.

Medicines legislation restricts the administration of injectable medicines. Unless self administered, they may only be administered by or in accordance with the instructions of a doctor (eg by a nurse). However, in the case of adrenaline there is an exemption to this restriction which means in an emergency, a suitably trained lay person is permitted to administer it by injection for the purpose of saving life. The use of an Epipen to treat anaphylactic shock falls into this category. Therefore, first aiders may administer an Epipen if they are dealing with a life threatening emergency in a casualty who has been prescribed and is in possession of an Epipen and where the first aider is trained to use it.