Code of Practice
FIRST AID
1. INTRODUCTION
1. The Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981 place responsibilities
on employers to ensure that there is adequate first aid provision for
employees who may become ill or are injured at work.
2. When people at work, or visiting places of work, suffer injury or fall ill, it is
important that they receive immediate attention and, in serious cases, that
an ambulance is called. First aid can save lives and prevent minor injuries
becoming major ones. This Code covers the arrangements that the
Agency aims to have in place to ensure this happens, i.e. initial
management of an illness or injury suffered at work. It does not include
giving tablets or medicines to treat illness.
3. Account has been taken of the Health and Safety Executive’s Approved
Code of Practice entitled ‘First Aid at Work’.
4. First aid provision (including the ratio of first aid personnel) depends on
many factors such as distribution of employees in the premises; size and
location of premises; the nature of the work; hazards workers might be
exposed to; work patterns; distance from medical services; off-site work;
and travel outside work.
5. This Code of Practice has been developed under the Agency’s Health and
Safety Policy and has the same authority as that policy. It sets out the
Agency’s minimum standard guidelines on how to manage the provision of
first aid. Local management may decide on more appropriate provision
above these standards where required to meet identified local needs.
6. Should employees have any concerns about the provision of first aid
within the Agency they should inform the Health and Safety Officer to
enable an investigation and implementation of any necessary actions
2. AIMS
1. To develop a proactive management response to the provision of
appropriate first aid provision to the Agency’s employees while at work.
2. To ensure compliance with legislative requirements.
To ensure consistency in the standards of good practice within the Agency.
3. RESPONSIBILITIES
Notwithstanding the health and safety responsibilities outlined within Section 2 of the
Health and Safety Policy the following specific responsibilities apply with regard to
first
aid
provision.
1. Chief Executive, Directors and Senior Managers
A. To ensure that suitable first aid facilities and
equipment are available to the workforce.
B. To ensure that adequate numbers of first aid
personnel are identified and able to receive
appropriate training to competently carry out their
duties.
2. Line Managers/Supervisors
Managers/Supervisors are responsible on a day to day basis for ensuring
the implementation of this Code for the staff within their control. In
particular they must:
A. Familiarise themselves with the content of this
Code, and actively inform staff.
B. Ensure that local arrangements are in place to inform staff
of the location of first aid equipment, personnel and facilities,
so that staff are familiar with the first aid procedure and know
how to call on first aid assistance.
C. Ensure that new employees are actively shown the
location of first aid equipment, personnel and facilities when
they first join the Agency. This should always form part of the
local induction training to new employees.
D. In the absence of first aid assistance make a decision to
refer the injured or ill person appropriately to an Accident
and Emergency Unit or General Practitioner, or send them
home.
3. Employees
Employees have personal responsibilities to ensure the effectiveness of any
first aid provision. In particular they must:
A. Ensure that they inform their line manager should they
become injured or ill while at work and require first aid
assistance.
4. First Aid Personnel (See also Circular attached as Appendix A)
A. To respond to a first aid incident in a safe, prompt
and effective manner when contacted for assistance.
B. To administer first aid in accordance with the
information, instruction and training received.
C. To adequately maintain first aid facilities and
equipment under their control, including ensuring the
contents of first aid kits are complete and within their
identified expiry date(s).
D. To ensure that within 24 hours of an
accident/incident a report is completed in accordance
with Agency procedures.
E. To attend necessary training and meetings as
required, e.g. refresher and requalification courses
and first aid personnel briefings.
F. To seek assistance where the seriousness of the
incident dictates and/or where he/she does not feel
competent to deal with the injury/illness symptoms,
e.g. contact the emergency services and/or other first
aid personnel for assistance.
G. Inform the Agency Health and Safety Officer of any
changes in his/her status of occupation, so that an upto-date record can be kept.
H. Additionally the designated Senior First Aider at
Wyndham House has responsibility to ensure he/she
carries out agreed management duties.
5. Agency Health and Safety Officer
A. To support and monitor the process of first aid provision. In
particular first aid provision will be targeted during inspections and
audits and a periodic review of this Code shall be carried out (i.e.
annually).
B. To liaise with Training and Development Unit (TDU) to ensure
that appropriate training arrangements are in place and keep an
updated register.
6. Local Health and Safety Officers
A. All other nominated Health and Safety Officers/Co-ordinators
within the Agency have responsibilities to support and monitor
implementation of this Code on a local basis.
4. ARRANGEMENTS
1. First Aid Boxes and Kits
A. First aid boxes and travelling first aid kits should contain a
sufficient quantity of first aid materials and nothing else. The
contents lists will be periodically reviewed and additional
items may be deemed necessary on a local basis. The
minimum stocks should normally be:
First Aid Box/Kit (held by qualified first aid personnel)

Guidance information

20 x individually wrapped sterile adhesive dressings
(selection of sizes)

4 x individually wrapped triangular bandages

6 x safety Pins

6 x medium individually wrapped sterile dressings

2 x large individually wrapped sterile dressings

2 x extra large individually wrapped sterile dressings

Pair of suitable scissors

Roll of adhesive tape

2 x disposable examination gloves

6 x alcohol free antiseptic cleansing wipes

Resuscitation mask and/or face shield

High visibility vests (applicable in Wyndham House or as
local site management rules require)
Personal First
homeworkers)
Aid
Kit
(e.g.
held
by
field
staff
and

Guidance information

6 x individually wrapped adhesive dressings

2 x wrapped triangular bandages

Large individually wrapped sterile dressing

2 x safety pins

Resuscitation face shield (not homeworkers, as they work
alone)
B. Contents of first aid boxes/kits should be replenished as soon as
possible after use in order that there is always adequate supply of
materials. Items should not be used after the expiry date shown on
packets – care should be taken to dispose of safely after the expiry date
has passed.
C. First aid boxes/kits should be made of suitable material designed to
protect the contents from damp and dust and should be clearly identified
as first aid containers. Such marking should be a white cross on a green
background in accordance with the Health and Safety (Safety Signs and
Signals) Regulations 1996.
D. Where first aid boxes/kits include sterile water or saline in sealed
disposable containers for eye irrigation purposes they should hold at least
300mls. They should not be used after the expiry date shown or re-used
once the sterile seal has been broken.
2. First Aid/Recovery Rooms
A. Where Agency facilities are provided with a first aid treatment room,
such as Wyndham House, they must be provided with the following:

Suitable stocks of first aid materials

Blankets (stored free from dust and damp)

Disposable examination gloves

Disposable plastic aprons

Yellow plastic disposable bags for soiled or used first aid
dressings

Clear signposting and door signage, including first aider
details
B. First aid rooms should be large enough to hold a couch/seat, desk and
chair and any other equipment needed. They should have adequate
ventilation, heating and lighting and be kept clean and tidy at all times, so
that they might be comfortably used for first aid purposes. Many additional
features (such as a fold-up bed) can be provided to improve effectiveness
of such rooms and advice can be sought from the Health and Safety
Officer.
3. First Aid Personnel
A. First Aid personnel to be appointed to the following levels:

Wyndham House
A minimum of 2 qualified first aiders for each floor or, if
not possible, 14 first aiders throughout, but managed as
closely as possible to 2 per floor.

Main Regional Area Offices
Where the Agency has ‘sole occupancy’ a minimum of
1 qualified first aider, supported by appointed persons.
Where the Agency has ‘shared occupancy’ with
other organisations suitable joint provision of first
aiders is acceptable. Within this it is preferable, but
not essential, for the Agency to provide a qualified
first aider. A minimum of one appointed person must
be in place.

Local Regional Offices
Minimum of 1 appointed person.

Regional Field Staff
All trained to appointed person level.
B. First aiders should be selected based on their reliability,
disposition, communication skills, aptitude to absorb new
skills and knowledge and ability to cope with stressful and
demanding emergency procedures. Additionally, where
possible, they should be staff who, by the nature of their
work, are likely to be available most of the time, i.e. largely
office based and able to respond immediately when needed.
C. All first aiders should hold a valid certificate from an HSE
approved training provider, such as St. John’s Ambulance. They
should then attend annual refresher courses and a re-testing every
three years. All training will be arranged by and paid for by the
Agency and shall take place during normal work hours. Failure to
attend such training may result in removal from the approved first
aider list.
D. All appointed persons should receive training covering:

What to do in an emergency

Cardio-pulmonary resuscitation

First aid for the unconscious casualty

First aid for the wounded or bleeding

This training should be refreshed at least every
three years.
E. All first aiders to receive an annual ex-gratia
payment and reimbursement of any personal
insurance costs provided through an approved
insurance provider.
F. All first aid provided while at work shall be
covered by the Agency’s method of self
insurance. Additionally the Agency shall
reimburse any first aider who obtains approved
insurance to cover first aid administered
outside of work time, provided they offer
qualified proof of payment.
G. Lists of first aiders will be reviewed and
updated on a periodic basis, i.e. at least sixmonthly. First aid notices should include
names and contact details. They should be
prominently displayed and maintained up-todate.
5. IMPLEMENTATION
1. All existing employees will be advised about this Code through normal
channels and the Code will be made available on the Intranet.
2. Health and safety awareness training will include input on first aid
provision.
3. Copies of the Code will be distributed to Heads of Business Units.
6. SOURCES OF INFORMATION
1. For further help, advice and information you can contact any of the
following

The Agency Health and Safety Officer (Tel: 020 7211 0492)

In RA3, the Health and Safety Co-ordinator or your Local Safety
Officer

Your Line Manager

Your Trade Union Safety Representative

The Health and Safety Executive Infoline (Tel: 0541 545500)
Additionally, the Facilities Resource Unit (FRU) holds a number of reference
materials, which include advice regarding first aid provision.