Introduction and Policy

The Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981 govern the provision of first aid at work. These regulations apply only to employees; there is no legal requirement to provide first aid cover to members of the public. However, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) strongly recommends non-employees and pupils in school are included in first aid provision and it is Buckinghamshire Council (BC) Policy to follow that advice.

Volunteers will be treated in the same way as employees for the purposes of first aid provision.

The following document sets out guidance for how the council will fulfil its responsibilities for first aid provision.

This policy does not cover administration of medication including applying creams or lotion to treat illness. Services must have their own medication guidelines for Social Care settings and schools should refer to BC H&S Policy 8.9 Supporting Pupils in School with Medical Conditions

First Aid means: 

• Treatment for the purpose of preserving life and minimising the consequences of injury and illness until medical help is obtained.

Or

• Treatment of minor injuries which would otherwise receive no treatment, or which do not require treatment by a nurse or doctor.