First Aid Requirements in Hospitality
The legal obligations for first aid provision in hospitality workplaces, including trained first aiders, equipment, and record-keeping.
The Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981 require all employers to provide adequate first aid provision for their employees. In hospitality, where staff work with sharp knives, hot surfaces, heavy equipment, and chemicals, the risk of workplace injuries is higher than in many other sectors. Businesses must assess their first aid needs based on the nature of their work, the number of employees, and any specific hazards. This assessment determines how many trained first aiders you need, what first aid equipment to provide, and what procedures to put in place.
Key Points
- All employers must provide adequate first aid based on a needs assessment
- Hospitality is classified as higher risk — more first aid provision may be needed
- Blue detectable plasters are essential in food environments
- First aid cover must be available during all working hours including shifts
- Record all incidents in an accident book and report serious injuries under RIDDOR
How Many First Aiders Do You Need
The number of first aiders depends on your risk assessment, workforce size, and the nature of your work. For hospitality (classified as higher risk due to knives, heat, and chemicals): businesses with fewer than 5 employees need at least one appointed person (someone who can take charge in an emergency and call for help); businesses with 5-50 employees should have at least one Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW) trained person; and businesses with more than 50 employees need at least one First Aid at Work (FAW) trained person. Consider shift patterns — first aid cover must be available at all times when staff are working.
First Aid Equipment
Every food business must have a properly stocked first aid kit. For hospitality, this should include: assorted sterile wound dressings, eye pads, triangular bandages, safety pins, disposable gloves, antiseptic wipes, microporous tape, a face shield for CPR, and critically — blue detectable plasters (standard plasters are not suitable for food environments as they are not visible if they fall into food). Burns treatment (burn gel or dressings) should also be included given the high risk of burns in kitchens. Check and restock kits regularly.
Record Keeping and Procedures
You must record all first aid incidents in an accident book (which must comply with GDPR by using tear-out forms that can be stored individually). Records should include: the injured person's name, date and time, nature of the injury, treatment given, and by whom. Under RIDDOR (Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013), certain serious injuries must be reported to the HSE. Display first aid information prominently, including the names and locations of first aiders and the location of first aid kits.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many first aiders do I need in a restaurant?
It depends on your workforce size and risk assessment. As a general guide: under 5 staff need at least one appointed person, 5-50 staff need at least one EFAW-trained person, and 50+ staff need at least one FAW-trained person. Ensure cover across all shifts. The HSE recommends reviewing your first aid needs assessment annually.
Why must food businesses use blue plasters?
Blue is not a natural food colour, so blue plasters are highly visible if they fall into food during preparation. Many blue plasters also contain a metal strip that can be detected by metal detectors in food manufacturing. Using standard skin-coloured plasters in a kitchen is a food safety risk as they could end up in food without being noticed.
Do first aid certificates expire?
Yes. Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW) certificates are valid for 3 years. First Aid at Work (FAW) certificates are also valid for 3 years. Refresher training must be completed before certificates expire to maintain qualification. The HSE recommends annual refresher training to keep skills current, even if the certificate is still valid.
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