Fire Marshal vs Fire Warden: What Is the Difference?
People use the terms interchangeably, but there is a traditional distinction. Here is what each role involves and what training they need.
How Many First Aiders Does My Business Need?
One of the questions we get asked most often by Bournemouth businesses is "how many first aiders do I actually need?" The honest answer is: it depends. But the good news is that working it out is not difficult.
The first aid needs assessment
The Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981 require every employer to make "adequate and appropriate" first aid provision. To decide what that means for you, the HSE expects you to carry out a first aid needs assessment. You should consider:
- The hazards in your workplace, from paper cuts to heavy machinery
- How many people work there, and when
- Whether you have visitors, customers or members of the public on site
- How far you are from emergency services
- Shift patterns, holidays and sickness cover
Rules of thumb
The HSE gives some helpful guidance. For a low risk workplace such as an office or shop, with fewer than 25 staff, at least one appointed person or an EFAW trained first aider is usually enough. Between 25 and 50 staff, at least one EFAW first aider. Over 50, at least one FAW first aider for every 100 people.
For higher risk workplaces such as construction, warehousing, manufacturing or food processing, you should have at least one EFAW first aider for fewer than 5 staff, one FAW first aider for 5 to 50 staff, and an additional FAW first aider for every 50 people after that.
Remember cover
Whatever number you land on, add cover for holidays, sickness and shifts. A single first aider who is on annual leave is no first aider at all.
Which course?
Lower risk workplaces normally choose the one day Emergency First Aid at Work course. Higher risk sites need the three day First Aid at Work qualification. If you are still not sure, get in touch and Karlene will happily help you work it out.