Risk Assessment: First Aid Needs¶
Document Information
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Document Reference | RA20 |
| Issue Number | 2 |
| Issue Date | 1 June 2026 |
| Next Review | 1 June 2027 |
| Prepared By | Sean Ashton |
| Approved By | Aaron Mason, Director |
Risk Assessment Table¶
| Activity/Process | Hazard | Who/What Affected | Existing Controls | Pre-Control Risk (S/L/R) | New Controls Required | Post-Control Risk (S/L/R) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment of first aid requirements | Inadequate first aid provision for the specific hazards and number of personnel on site | Site personnel could suffer delayed or inadequate treatment in the event of injury or illness. Serious conditions could deteriorate due to lack of prompt intervention | • Formal assessment of first aid needs conducted for each site and project • Assessment considers: number of personnel, nature of work, workforce distribution, distance from emergency services, shift patterns, specific hazards • Specific hazards (confined spaces, working at height, electrical work) considered • Results documented and reviewed regularly • Different levels of first aid provision established for different risk categories |
5/3/15 (High) | • Develop standardised first aid needs assessment tool specific to water industry operations Sean Ashton • Implement regular reviews when site conditions or workforce numbers change Site Supervisors • Establish central register of first aid provision across all sites Sean Ashton • Consider consulting with occupational health professionals for high-risk sites Sean Ashton |
5/2/10 (High) |
| Provision of first aid personnel | Insufficient number or inadequate training of first aid personnel | Site personnel could receive delayed or incorrect treatment in an emergency. Serious injuries or illnesses could worsen due to inappropriate intervention | • At least one person in each team trained in emergency first aid at work • Number of first aiders exceeds minimum requirements to allow for absence and shift patterns • Training provided by approved providers with industry-relevant content • First aid certificates tracked with refresher training arranged before expiry • Additional advanced first aid training for high-risk sites or remote locations • Training includes practical scenarios relevant to water industry hazards • First aiders clearly identified to all personnel |
4/3/12 (High) | • Implement verification system to ensure adequate first aid cover at start of each shift Site Supervisors, immediate • Develop water industry-specific first aid training modules with training providers, within 3 months • Establish formal competence assessment for first aiders beyond certification Sean Ashton, within 2 months • Consider implementing first aid refresher program between formal recertification Leanne Mason, within 3 months |
4/2/8 (Moderate) |
| Provision and maintenance of first aid equipment | Inadequate, expired, or contaminated first aid supplies. Inability to locate first aid equipment in an emergency | Site personnel could receive ineffective treatment due to inadequate or expired supplies. Treatment could be delayed due to inability to locate first aid equipment | • First aid kits provided in all work vehicles and fixed sites • Contents appropriate to specific hazards identified in risk assessment • Additional specialized equipment (eye wash, burns kits) provided where needed • First aid kits clearly marked with locations communicated to all personnel • Regular documented checks of first aid equipment • Replacement supplies readily available • Items stored in clean, dry conditions and protected from contamination • Disposable items are single-use only |
4/3/12 (High) | • Implement formal inspection system with monthly documented checks Sean Ashton, immediate • Develop standardised inventory system with minimum stock levels Sean Ashton, within 1 month • Provide sealed, tamper-evident first aid kits with clear expiry dates Directors • Consider digital tracking of first aid kit contents and usage Sean Ashton, within 6 months |
4/1/4 (Low) |
| First aid for needle stick and sharps injuries | Delayed or incorrect treatment of needle stick or sharps injuries leading to infection risk | Site personnel could contract serious infections including hepatitis and HIV from needle stick injuries | • Specific procedures in place for dealing with needle stick injuries • All site personnel trained to recognise and avoid sharps hazards • First aid kits include specific needle stick injury components • Clear guidance on immediate response to needle stick injuries • First aiders receive specific training on managing needle stick injuries • Arrangements for immediate medical follow-up after needle stick injuries • Incidents formally reported with follow-up health surveillance |
5/3/15 (High) | • Provide enhanced sharps awareness training to all site personnel Leanne Mason, within 2 months • Establish formal arrangements with local healthcare providers for rapid post-exposure assessment HR Department, within 1 month |
5/2/10 (High) |
| First aid in confined spaces | Inability to provide prompt first aid in confined space emergencies | Site personnel working in confined spaces could suffer delayed treatment in emergencies, potentially leading to deterioration of serious conditions | • Specific risk assessment includes first aid and rescue arrangements • Confined space teams include at least one trained first aider • Specialised first aid equipment suitable for confined space rescue provided • First aid provision included in confined space entry permits • Rescue arrangements established before entry, including casualties requiring first aid • Communication systems established for rapid alert of emergencies • Emergency services notified of confined space work where appropriate |
5/3/15 (High) | • Develop confined space-specific first aid protocols addressing common emergencies Sean Ashton with medical professionals, within 2 months • Provide enhanced first aid training including practical rescue scenarios specialised training providers, within 3 months • Review and enhance emergency equipment provision for confined space work Sean Ashton, within 1 month • Consider implementing real-time health monitoring for high-risk confined space work Technical Manager, within 6 months |
5/2/10 (High) |
| First aid for chemical exposure | Inadequate or delayed treatment for chemical exposure incidents | Site personnel could suffer worsened chemical injuries due to inappropriate or delayed treatment. Eye injuries could be particularly affected by inadequate emergency response | • Safety data sheets for all chemicals readily available to first aiders • Eye wash facilities provided where risk of chemical splash exists • First aiders trained in emergency treatment of chemical exposures • Specific neutralising agents provided where recommended by safety data sheets • First aid kits include materials suitable for chemical burns and exposures • Emergency showers provided at fixed sites with significant chemical hazards • Clear instructions for managing chemical exposures in site emergency procedures |
4/3/12 (High) | • Implement monthly checks of all eye wash stations and emergency showers Site Supervisors • Provide portable eye wash bottles to all teams working with chemicals Procurement Department • Consider establishing formal links with local poison control centers for rapid consultation Sean Ashton, within 1 month |
4/2/8 (Moderate) |
| First aid incident reporting and analysis | Failure to learn from first aid incidents leading to recurrence of similar injuries | Site personnel could suffer preventable injuries if trends and patterns in first aid incidents are not identified and addressed | • All first aid treatments recorded in first aid book or electronic system • Regular analysis of first aid data conducted to identify trends • Results of analysis used to inform risk assessments and control measures • Significant first aid incidents investigated to identify root causes • Information on trends shared with site teams to raise awareness • First aiders encouraged to report all treatments, however minor • First aid provision reviewed following significant incidents or identified trends |
3/3/9 (Moderate) | • Implement digital first aid reporting system to improve data collection and analysis Sean Ashton • Establish monthly review meetings to discuss first aid incidents and identify preventive actions Sean Ashton • Develop formal process for feeding first aid data into risk assessment reviews Sean Ashton, within 1 month • Consider implementing 'near miss' reporting system specifically for incidents that could have required first aid Sean Ashton, within 2 months |
3/2/6 (Moderate) |
| Communication of first aid arrangements | Lack of awareness of first aid arrangements leading to delayed treatment | Site personnel could suffer delayed treatment due to uncertainty about how to access first aid assistance. Visitors to site could be unaware of emergency procedures | • First aid arrangements communicated during site inductions • First aiders identified to all site personnel • First aid signage displayed prominently • Emergency contact information provided on site notice boards and in vehicles • First aid arrangements included in site emergency plans • Visitors informed of emergency procedures upon arrival • Regular toolbox talks include reminders of first aid arrangements • Contact details for local emergency services readily available |
4/3/12 (High) | • Develop standardised first aid information boards for all sites Site Managers • Implement system to identify first aiders (e.g., helmet stickers, hi-vis vests) Sean Ashton, immediate • Provide emergency contact cards to all personnel Site Supervisors • Consider implementing digital alert system for summoning first aid assistance on larger sites IT Department with H&S, within 3 months |
4/1/4 (Low) |
Key:¶
- S = Severity (1-5 scale)
- L = Likelihood (1-5 scale)
- R = Risk Rating (S × L)
- Risk Levels:
- Low (1-3)
- Moderate (4-8)
- High (9-15)
- Very High (16-25)
Related Documents¶
- Confined Spaces Regulations 1997
- HSE First Aid at Work Regulations