Introduction to Health and Safety at Work

17.17 
Health and Safety (First aid) 
Regulations 1981
These Regulations set out employers’ duties to provide 
adequate fi rst aid facilities. They defi ne fi rst aid as:
➤
treatment for the purposes of preserving life and 
minimizing the consequences of injury and illness 
until medical help is obtained
➤
treatment of minor injuries which would otherwise 
receive no treatment or which do not need treatment 
by a medical practitioner or nurse.
17.17.1 Duty of the employer – Regulation 3
An employer shall provide, or ensure that there are 
provided:
➤
adequate and appropriate facilities and equipment
➤
qualifi ed fi rst aiders to render fi rst aid
➤
an appointed person, being someone to take charge 
of situations as well as fi rst aid equipment and facil-
ities, where medical aid needs to be summoned. An 
appointed person will suffi ce where:
➤
the nature of the work is such that there are no 
specifi c serious hazards (offi ces, libraries etc), 
the workforce is small, the location makes fur-
ther provision unnecessary
➤
there is temporary (not planned holidays) or 
exceptional absence of the fi rst aider.
There must always be at least an appointed person in 
every workplace during working hours.
Employers must make an assessment of the fi rst aid 
requirements that are appropriate for each workplace.
17.17.2 Employees information – Regulation 4
Employees must be informed of the arrangements for 
fi rst aid, including the location of facilities, equipment 
and people.
17.17.3 Self-employed – Regulation 5
The self-employed shall provide such fi rst aid equipment 
as is appropriate to render fi rst aid to themselves.
17.17.4 References
HSE, L74 First aid at work. Health and Safety (First Aid) 
regulations 1981. Approved code of practice and guid-
ance, HSE Books
ISBN 0-7176-1050-0