First Aid – A matter of life or death

Every year in the UK, thousands of people die in situations where basic first aid could have saved their lives.

A survey carried out in 2012 by St John’s Ambulance revealed that only 18 per cent of people know basic first aid,  yet all businesses are required by law to provide the appropriate first-aid arrangements, including the provision of trained first aiders. In order to help promote workplace safety and guide businesses towards providing the right kit and training, (Read More) 

Arco, the UK’s leading safety supplier, has published an Expert Guide to First Aid Kits and Training in the Workplace.  

With two main bodies providing recommendations on good practice for first aid provision in the workplace, The Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981 Approved Code of Practice and Guidance from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), it can be confusing for businesses to understand what is needed to be compliant. Arco’s First Aid Expert Guide provides clear instruction on the current regulations and on the correct contents of first aid kits. Advice contained within the expert guide can also help businesses determine how many trained first aiders are needed on site.

As keeping first aid products past their expiry date can be unsafe, it’s important that businesses regularly check any first aid kits on site and replace items where necessary. A wide choice of fully compliant products are available from Arco, including a brand new and exciting range from UK vendor Safety First Aid Group.

When a first-aid needs assessment indicates that trained first-aiders are required within the workplace, businesses can turn to Arco Training & Consultancy. Arco’s HSE approved training courses not only provide customers with guidance on how to use first aid products, but also offer realistic training and life saving skills.

Alex Turgoose, Product & Procurement Manager at Arco, says “Workplace accidents and illness can happen at any time and, in some situations providing immediate first aid care can mean the difference between life and death. With safety at the heart of our business, we feel duty bound to help our customers ensure that they have the right first aid kits and properly trained staff, so that any employee who is injured in the workplace can be treated quickly and effectively.  We hope to increase the small percentage of people in the UK who are trained and qualified to administer first aid in the workplace by offering advice and assistance through our expert guide, Training and Consultancy division and local Sales Offices.”

For more information and to download a copy of the expert guide, please visit:
www.arco.co.uk/firstaid.