Frequently Asked Questions

A first aider is someone who has undertaken approved training. This means that they must hold a valid, in date, certificate of competence in either:
First Aid at Work (3 day), issued by an approved training organisation or Emergency First Aid at Work (1 day), issued by an approved training organisation.

First Aiders should insure they attend a First Aid at Work Re-qualification course prior to their FAW certificate going out of date. Generally this would be within the 3 month period prior to their current certificate expiry date.

This you will have to decide for yourselves, as there is no set answer, it will depend upon your circumstances and risks related to your workplace.
Click here to see what the HSE recommends; to help you in your decision making.

Generally, no. First aid at work does not include giving tablets or medicines to treat illness. There is one exception to this, as current first aid practise does suggest the use of aspirin for a suspected heart attack. No tablets or mediation should be kept in the first-aid box. The first aider can however help a casualty to use their own prescribed medication; such items as Inhalers or Epi Pens would not be kept in a first aid box, they belong to, and therefore carried by, the casualty themselves.

The regulations relate to employees, but do not require you to cover anyone else. Schools therefore need to provide cover for all their staff members but the HSE would also strongly recommend that such organisations look to include non-employees when calculating their numbers for first aid provisions.

Employers are still responsible for their employees when they are working away from their main office. These employees should carry a personal first-aid box; and if necessary issued with mobile phones.

Below is a suggested contents list, however you may add other items relating more to your workplace although tablets, medicines and sharps should not be kept in a first aid kit.