WORKPLACE REQUIREMENTS

An employer must make an assessment of the hazards and risks in the workplace and establish an appropriate level of first-aid provision.

What this means in practice is that if the work is a low hazard activity, e.g. clerical work at home, a normal domestic first aid box would be adequate. If the type of work involves driving long distances, the assessment may identify the need to keep a personal first aid kit in a vehicle.

Many self-employed people work on mixed premises with other self-employed or with employed workers. Although an employer is only legally responsible for his own first aid provision, it is sensible to make joint arrangements with the other occupiers and self-employed on the premises. This would generally mean that one employer would take responsibility for first aid cover for all workers on the premises. The HSE recommends there is a written agreement for any such arrangement.

Avocet Medical is based in Fareham in Hampshire but we offer our courses at venues throughout Hampshire and adjoining counties. We have established venues in Southampton, Portsmouth, Winchester, Chichester, Reading and Basingstoke but we also arrange course in other venues as required.