Why and How Many First Aiders Do I Need? A Guide for Employers

Are you looking forward to a highly productive workforce? Do you like to maximise your team and help them achieve their highest potential? If yes, you might like to start improving their working conditions. Helping your team improve their health and fitness level is the best way you can do to ensure they’re always present and eager to work.

Improving your team’s health can be done in several ways. Aside from giving them an attractive worker’s healthcare package, having first aiders and medics at the office is another effective way to uphold their wellbeing. You can start by organising an in-house team of first aiders and give them regular first aid courses and seminars.

Why Is It a Must to Have First Aiders in the Workplace?

A team of professional first aiders might be what you need to minimise your company’s absenteeism and tardiness. Specifically, their presence at work could significantly contribute to the following crucial aspects:

Employee Morale – Healthcare providers can foster an environment of safety. Ultimately, your employees would feel at ease knowing that there are people in the office who can respond to their health emergencies.
Productivity – If your employees feel healthy and fit, their productivity could also increase. They’re less likely to file for frequent sick leaves. In the business perspective, this translates into minimal work delays and better work quality.
Retention – With a good worker’s compensation, first aid training, and healthcare services in place, you’re more likely to be able to keep your top talent. You can minimise your expenses in training new hires. And you can foster a supporting and nurturing company culture.

How Many First Aiders Should You Have?

Are you now looking forward to organising an in-house team of first aider? If yes, be sure to consider the following:

Workplace risk
Number of lone workers
Number of full time and part time employees
Number of onsite and distance employees
Accessibility or availability of nearby hospitals and clinics
Number of employees doing day job and night shift

Although there’s no specific number of first responders you should have, the law requires that you should have an appropriate and adequate number of people in the team. And to get this number right, it’s best to undergo a risk assessment first. Based on Health and Safety Executive (HSE) guidelines, companies that are in low-risk industries with 25 to 50 people should have at least first aid provider. For an additional of 100 employees, there must be at least one first aider. Companies in high-risk industries need to have one first aider per 50 employees.

Other Health and Safety Measures You Should Have in the Office

Aside from having trained first aiders, it also helps to have other health measures in the office. You could also carry out the following initiatives to uphold your team’s safety and health:

Have a comprehensive first aid kit. Set a room in the office to serve as your clinic. Then, furnish it with all the necessary supplies to address health emergencies, such as heat stroke, wounds, cuts, bruises, and heart attack.
Hire and train professional first aiders. Give them training on how to give CPR. Make sure your first aid team and the rest of your employees know the risks related to your industry.
Put safety labels on tools, chemicals, and equipment. These will serve as handling guides for employees, especially if you have flammable objects at the office.
Conduct safety and health training. Organise orientations focusing on healthy lifestyle. Encourage your team to have a regular exercise routine. These initiatives can raise the awareness of your team.
Avail of regular office cleaning services. Make sure the office is clutter-free. Get rid of disease-causing dirt, dust, and grime that accumulate inside the office over time.
Offer good healthcare services. Support your team’s overall health by giving them a good healthcare and worker compensation package. And encourage them to maximise this option by undergoing regular checkups.

Aside from other business factors, employers should prioritise the health of the team. Organising first aid training, promoting healthy lifestyle, and advocating the health of your team could make them feel valued. Doing this is one of the sure-fire ways to protect your company’s best asset, which is the workforce.