Working from home can be one of those one size doesn’t fit all situations when it comes to legal requirements. First Aid training and First Aid kits are one of those areas. Do you know what first-aid requirements you have within your small business?
The Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981 for self-employed workers states that you are required to ensure you have first aid equipment which is adequate and appropriate to your circumstances. How do you know what is adequate to your circumstances? Firstly make an assessment of the hazards and risks within your workplace. As the majority of my work is clerical (ie. I sit at a computer all day long *sometimes I get up to make a sandwich or hang out the washing I have risk assessed these too 😉 *) I would not be expected to provide first aid equipment beyond my normal domestic needs, now as a mum to 3 accident prone children (yes that’s you Megan) my first aid kit is stocked for every eventuality. Although I’m hoping though I never need to have use my eye bath at work! I don’t have many clients in my home and when I under take networking or training it’s usually on a premise that has a fully trained and nominated first aider.
If you are employed but work from home your employer should provide you with a first aid kit, do check with HR what the businesses protocol is for home workers. Daddy Moo, as a gardener, or a long distance driver should have a personal first aid kit in their vehicle, as effectively that’s their office.
What do you need in your First Aid kit :
First Aid kits should be locked and kept in a cool, dry place out children’s reach. Your first aid kit should include :
- a variety of different plasters,
- sterile gauze dressings
- two sterile eye dressings
- triangular bandages
- crêpe rolled bandages
- safety pins
- disposable sterile gloves
- tweezers
- scissors
- alcohol-free cleansing wipes
- sticky tape
- thermometer (preferably digital)
- skin rash cream, such as hydrocortisone
- antiseptic cream
- painkillers such as paracetamol
- antihistamine tablets
- eye wash and eye bath
Does your business need First Aid training? :
Some small business will require that you have first aid training. For example childminding you will of course need adequate paediatric first-aid training, this will be a given and a requirement of your Ofsted registration.
If you work with people and children, personally I don’t think you can go wrong with having first aid training, you just don’t know what situation will arise. In a similar fashion to having a DBS certificate (Disclosure and Barring Service background check) as a self employed person I believe it strengthens your brand and reputation. For example did you know massage therapists and classes run for children (think music/art etc ) aren’t required to be first aid trained however I think having this qualification would defiantly be an advantage to your business. Imagine if something happened to a child/client in your class/salon and nobody present knew how to deal with it. That seems crazy to me.
Who offers First Aid training :
Photo Credit : Daisy First Aid
There are lots of first aid training providers, including St John’s Ambulance and your local collage, where you can book on as an individual. However it can be more fun to do training courses with your friends/small business owners you know so consider pooling together with your networking group to organise a group training session, this will also make it a lot cheaper. Prices can vary greatly from £40-£250 depending on what kind of training you require, what company you use and whether you book as a group or individual. Remember a first aid certificate lasts 3 years from the date of issuing and therefore is a sound investment in you and your business.
Are you first aid trained? I’d love to hear your thoughts.
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