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?

A group of people watching one of them perform first aid

At Boss Training, we understand the extent of the importance of health and safety and the areas this subject covers. For example, first aid is a major part of health and safety, and we try to inform businesses to deliver this throughout their workplace with our high-quality, in-depth training courses.

So, in today’s blog, we’re exploring the importance of first aid responsibilities within a business. We’re taking a look at the advancements of first aid within the workplace, as well as whose responsibility it is to administer first aid before someone more qualified arrives on the scene. Finally, we’ll explore how we can help you gain the knowledge and skills needed to take action when it’s most needed through our range of first aid training courses.

First Aid Advancements

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. For example, the signature CPR position of kneeling over the individual and pushing rhythmically on their chest is recognised worldwide. Still, up until the 1950s, cardiac arrest casualties would not be treated at the scene.

In the late 1950s, an American doctor, James Jude, recognised that a quick treatment was needed in these situations. In 1963, CPR (cardio-pulmonary resuscitation) was endorsed by the American Heart Association, and in no time, this method had spread globally. Since Dr Jude recognised and introduced this method, it has saved thousands of lives.

Instructor giving out first aid training

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. This must be taken seriously to ensure all employees are safe, which is why these regulations are implemented.

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 needs first aid. In addition, the regulations provide guidance on what is needed within the first aid box to be prepared for numerous situations. In 2016, an estimated 621,000 workers sustained a non-fatal injury at work, highlighting 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 in an emergency. Here are some of their responsibilities:

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

The first aider aims to prevent worsening 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.

Someone wrapping up a damaged leg on a first aid course

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 to a minimum. There are numerous ways to achieve this, such as keeping the workplace tidy and easy to move around, preventing trips and falls which can lead to injury, and 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 rates, including railways, coal mining and agriculture.

First Aid Training

Businesses must receive first aid training, which is down to the providers. At Boss Training, we take this subject extremely seriously, which is shown through our first aid training courses. For example, the One Day Emergency First Aid Training offers the basic and essential knowledge and skills required to deliver first aid within the workplace until a paramedic or someone with more medical or first aid qualifications can take over.

Additionally, consider the Emergency First Aid at Work Refresher course, ideal for those who have had previous first aid training. This course highlights some of the most frequent accidents and illnesses you might encounter in the workplace and the actions required to assist those in need. We aim to provide training candidates with the all-important skills needed to assess illnesses and injuries before acting accordingly.

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.