Risk Assessment 
The Approved Code of Practice recommends that employers should carry out a risk assessment of the workplace and then provide: 1. Sufficient appointed persons & suitably trained first aiders. 2 Adequate first aid materials, to meet that risk. 

Below are a few points to consider when assessing First Aid requirements. A fuller form with a comprehensive list of assessment points is given later. 

First Aid Risk Assessment Check List
In assessing the need for first aid employers need to consider:-
- size of organisation
- history of accidents
- nature and distribution of workforce
- remoteness of site from emergency medical services
- the needs of travelling, remote and lone workers
- Appointed persons & First Aiders cover for holidays, days off etc.

Using The Risk Assessment

The assessment, based on assessments of risk and number of workers, will give the employer a clear indication of the number of Appointed Persons & First-aid personnel that should be available at all times for people at work that will provide adequate first aid cover to their employees.

The table below can be used as a guide.

Category of risk	Numbers employed at any location	Suggested number of first-aid personnel
Lower Risk e.g. shops and offices, libraries	Fewer than 50	At least one appointed person
	50-100	At least one first aider
	More than 100	One additional first aider for every 100 employed
Medium Risk e.g. light engineering and assembly work, food processing, warehousing	Fewer than 20	At least one appointed person
	20-100	At least one first aider for every 50 employed (or part thereof)
	More than 100	One additional first aider for every 100 employed
Higher Risk e.g. most construction, slaughter houses, chemical manufacture, extensive work with dangerous machinery or sharp instruments	Fewer than five	At least one appointed person
	5-50	At least one first aider
	More than 50	One additional first aider for every 50 employed

Therefore when the number of Appointed persons & First Aiders has been decided upon. There tasks and Validity of their training must be monitored.

The HSC Approved Code of Practice L74 (March 1997) states that:-
"The contents of first aid containers should be examined frequently and should be restocked as soon as possible after use. Sufficient supplies should be held in a back-up stock on site. Care should be taken to discard items safely after the expiry date has passed". This should be carried out by the appointed person.

The next step is to have adequately furnished first aid kit(s) that reflect the level of risk at the work place, so that any accidents that may occur in the work environment can be adequately dealt with by the First Aiders.

Low Risk	e.g. Certain Shops, Offices, Libraries.
Medium Risk	e.g. Light Engineering & Assembly Work, Warehousing
High Risk	e.g. Industry, Slaughterhouse, Chemical Manufacturers, Extensive Work With Dangerous Machinery or Sharp Instruments.

The Approved Code of Practice does not specify the contents of the kits. However, to make implementation of the Act easier the BSTA (British Surgical Trades Association ) has recommended several sizes of kit for a number of employees where there are no special risks. The Kits are made up for 

- 1 Person Kit [Travel]
- Up To 10 Persons Kit
- 10-20 Persons Kit
- 20-50 Persons Kit

These kits are available for direct purchase from infohealth in the first aid kits section. These kits are designed for the designated number of persons working in an environment where there are no special risks eg) Machinery, Hot Appliances and Sharp Appliances. Any other work environment will need first aid kits that match the risks.

BSTA Recommended Contents for First Aid Boxes

	1 Person	Standard	Standard	Standard
	Travel	10 Kit	20 Kit	50 Kit
Guidance Card	1	1	1	1
Adhesive plasters (sterile)	6	20	40	60
Eye pads	0	2	4	6
Triangular bandages	2	4	6	8
Safety Pins	0	6	12	12
HSE Medium Dressing 12 x 12cm	0	6	9	12
HSE Large Dressing 18 x 18cm	1	2	3	4
Individual Wrapped Wipes	2	6	10	20
Disposable Gloves (pair)	1	1	2	3

Where tap water is not readily available, at least two 500ml sterile saline (0.9%) disposable packs should be provided for eye irrigation.

All establishments will need at least one first aid box. Large factories will need first aid kits in every self contained working area. It is recommended that companies with more than 50 employees should consider the provision of more than one kit. Remember that first aid should always be nearby.

If a building is large or has many floors adequate number of First Aid Kits need to be made available for ease of access by the Appointed persons & First Aiders.

The work place environment will dictate the range of first aid dressings and appliances that will be required eg) If a work place has hot appliances a range of burns dressings will needed.