Employers should consider having a first aid room if their workplace has significant hazards or where access to medical facilities is difficult. If you set-up a First Aid Room you will need to think about the following factors regarding the room:
- Requirements for privacy
- Entrance needs to be able to accommodate a stretcher or wheelchair
- Ideally has a wash basin and nearby toilet facilities
- If possible a ground floor location
- Adequate ventilation/heating/lighting
- Someone needs to take responsibility for the room and its contents (out of date/stock items, cleaning etc)
The First Aid Room
The Medical or treatment room needs to be equipped in a way that is appropriate to your workplace – there's quite a difference between a large factory using hazardous materials/machinery and a medium-sized office. First Aid Rooms will require some or all of the following:
- Lockable First Aid Cabinet
- First aid kits
- Medical waste disposal – clinical waste bins
- Signage – first aid room sign and first aid guidance poster
- Additional First Aid and medical items – Other items that might be found in a First Aid rooms include emergency stretchers, lightweight transit or carry chairs, eyewash stations, evacuation chairs, CPR devices, Blood Pressure Monitoring, Scales and Fridges.
For more information please see the terms of the Health & Safety Approved Code of Practice L74 March 1997 and visit the Health and Safety Executive website.
Posted in Office, Health and Safety