Well accidents can happen at any time which means first aid provisions at work need to be available at all times including weekends, holidays, sickness and for shift cover. If your company was to have just one person who was trained in first aid and that person was to go away for two weeks in the summer, the company is automatically not covered in their absence. A backup is always necessary to protect both employees and the business reputation and our first aid courses in Stoke are always eager to train people up, they’re fun and engaging too – so how many are required?

What is the Risk?

The number of people trained in first aid required by law differs based on a few factors with the most important being the ‘risk level’ of the industry they operate in. These can be divided up into low risk and high-risk businesses:

Low Risk – This applies to small offices, shops and libraries or any business that has relatively few hazards present on a day to day basis. If the staff level is under 25 people, then by law the company is only required to have one member of staff appointed to taking care of first aid. Up to 50 people and the company is required to have an emergency first aider on-site at all times and will need to have been on a one-day Emergency First Aid at Work course in Stoke. If there are more than 50 workers, the nominated individuals should have undertaken a 3-day First Aid at Work course available in Stoke to qualify and must be onsite at all times.

Higher Hazard Workplaces – Including assembly work, food warehouses, engineering, dangerous machinery, sharp tools, construction or special hazards. If the team is fewer than 5, businesses are required to have only one appointed first aider. Any workforce over 5 but below 50 is required to have a permanent first aider on-site at all times – but the law is not clear on the level of training which is largely decided by the employer. This is because different industries will require different levels of training, for example, those working with dangerous chemicals or heavy machinery may need to complete a specialist bespoke course designed by Acadame. Anything over 50 will require companies to enrol individuals onto a longer course in order for them to be legally protected.

Employers are required to carry out an assessment of first aid needs, if there is any doubt we have specialist health and safety consultants in Stoke on standby. This would involve consideration of workplace hazards and risks, the size of the organisation and other relevant factors, to determine what first-aid equipment, facilities and personnel should be provided.