The HSE (Health and Safety Executive) have important advice on Health and Safety, whatever industry you work in. 

First Aid at Work: know the basics

The HSE's 'Basics for your business' webpages offer health and safety advice, whatever industry you work in.

Employers must make sure employees get immediate help if taken ill or injured at work.

The law applies to every workplace and to the self-employed.

You must have:

• a suitably stocked first aid kit
• an appointed person or people to take charge of first aid arrangements
• information for all employees telling them about first aid arrangements

The step-by-step guide on first aid in work explains how you must have the right arrangements, including:

• a first aid kit
• training for workers
• first aid for homeworkers
• first aiders appointed

What 'adequate and appropriate' first aid arrangements are depends on the work you do and where you do it. You're best placed to understand the nature of your work, so you should assess what your first aid needs are.

You must consider:

• the type of the work you do
• hazards and the likely risk of them causing harm
• the size of your workforce
• work patterns of your staff
• holiday and other absences of those who will be first aiders and appointed persons
• the history of accidents in your business

You might also consider:

• the needs of travelling, remote and lone workers
• how close your sites are to emergency medical services
• whether your employees work on shared or multi-occupancy sites
• first aid for non-employees including members of the public
• support for someone who might be experiencing a mental health issue

You don't have to write down your findings, but if you do, it will allow you to record how you've decided on your first aid arrangements.

For more detailed advice and information from the HSE, please click here.