At Boss Training, we understand the extent of the importance of health and safety and the areas this subject covers. First Aid is a major part of health and safety, and we try to inform businesses in delivering this throughout their workplace. How important are first aid responsibilities within a business?

First Aid Advancements

In our era, many individuals have an idea of what to do if a person collapses or has sustained an injury, yet it hasn’t always been this way. The signature CPR position of kneeling over the individual and pushing rhythmically on their chest is recognised worldwide, but up until the 1950s, cardiac arrest casualties would not be treated at the scene.

In the late 1950s an American doctor, James Jude, recognised a quick treatment was needed in these situations. In 1963, CPR (cardio-pulmonary resuscitation) was endorsed by the American Heart Association, and with time, this method was spread globally. This method has saved thousands of lives, due to Dr Jude recognising and introducing this method.

The Business Owner

First aid within a workplace starts with the business owner. Owning a business brings a huge amount of responsibility, including the safety of all employees. It is highly important this is taken seriously, to ensure all employees are safe, which is why these regulations are put in place.

The Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981 informs the employer of their requirements in providing appropriate facilities and equipment in the event that an individual needed first aid. The regulations provide guidance on what is needed within the first aid box to be prepared for numerous situations. In 2016, there were an estimated 621,000 workers who sustained a non-fatal injury at work, which highlight just how crucial first aid is within the workplace.

The Trained First Aider

However, there is also a huge responsibility for the trained first aider who will act if such an accident occurs which requires their assistance. A first aider holds various responsibilities within an emergency. Here are some of their responsibilities:

  • Ensuring the continuing safety of themselves and others
  • Assessing casualties and cause of the injury
  • Providing appropriate first aid treatment
  • Noting and observe the casualties
  • Providing a handover if and when further medical help arrives

The aim of the first aider is to prevent the worsening of the individual’s condition by providing safe, professional, and appropriate methods. Having a trained first aider in the workplace contributes greatly to the safety of employees.

The Employees

The responsibility of preventing the use of first aid is down to the employees themselves. Having a trained first aider present means they are there to assist with injuries, but it is down to the employees to keep injuries down to a minimum. There are numerous ways to achieve this, such as keeping the workplace tidy and easy to move around, this prevents trips and falls which can lead to injury, and by ensuring heavy objects are not in an area where they can fall and cause injury.

Throughout the years, injuries occurred as appropriate rules and regulations were not in place to ensure the safety of employees in the workplace. In 1923, the First International Conference of Labour Statisticians carried out studies in the industrial sector to calculate injury rate, which included that of railways, coal mining and agriculture.

First Aid Training

It is vital businesses receive first aid training, and that is down to the providers. At Boss Training, we take this subject extremely seriously, which is shown through our first aid training. Those who attend the one-day course will be fully informed on the subject.

Our commitment is to provide training courses to help ensure safety within the workplace. Have a look at what courses we have available and get in touch with a member of our helpful team who will provide you with more information.