Keeping the workplace safe with first aid signage

We all hope we’ll never need to use first aid facilities, but we feel a lot better knowing they are there. And the fact is, you can prevent minor injuries and accidents turning into something serious if a clear first aid procedure is in place.

Whether in a workplace, public venue, a school or a shop, nowhere is immune from accidents. But there are things we can do to reduce their impact and keep colleagues, customers, and visitors as safe as possible.

The impact of workplace accidents

Workplace accidents are a lot more common than you’d think. In 2019-20, almost 700,000 people sustained an injury at work.

And with over 38 million working days lost due to work-related illness and injury, UK businesses are losing out to the tune of £16 billion in associated costs.

Those are some sobering figures. So, it stands to reason that businesses will want to do everything they can to try and keep staff, customers and visitors safe, minimising the effects of accidents on the premises.

You can take a step in the right direction with this with a clear first aid policy in place.

What do business owners need to do about first aid?

Business owners are responsible for ensuring that employees receive attention immediately if they are injured at work or taken ill.

As there is no way of predicting when accidents and illnesses might happen, we need to make sure we are as prepared as possible.

First aid can save lives and stop relatively minor injuries from becoming much more serious.

So where do we start?

• First, you need to carry out a first-aid needs assessment to establish what kind of provision your business requires.
• Next, you’ll need to make first aid arrangements depending on the outcome of your assessment.
• Then you’ll need to put training in place for first aiders (if the size of your business warrants that).
• Finally, you’ll need to make sure your equipment, facilities and signage are adequate for your first-aid needs.

As an absolute minimum, you need:

1. A well-stocked first aid kit.
2. An appointed person to oversee your first aid provision.
3. Information and signage so all staff, visitors and customers are aware of your arrangements.

What level of first aid provision might businesses need?

Well, this will depend on what kind of business you run. The Government website has information about how to determine what level of provision would be adequate and appropriate for your business.

Things to consider will be the nature of your work, hazards and risks, and the size of your workforce. You’ll also need to think about working patterns of your employees, holidays and absences of designated first-aiders, and the history of accidents within your organisation.

Other things to ponder might be travel arrangements, lone working, location and remoteness of your premises, and first-aid provision for non-employees – i.e. visitors and members of the public.

When thinking about the nature of your business, you might want to think about the following:

• The size of your business. Small businesses will only need an appointed person and a first aid box. But a business with more than 25 employees will need to consider providing trained first-aiders, additional first-aid equipment and a first-aid room.

• Does your business involve unusual hazards? So, you might be handling hydrofluoric acid, or requiring workers to operate in confined spaces. If this is the case, you might need further first-aid provisions such as specialist hazard shower areas, eye-wash stations, additional training for first-aiders, and other specialist first-aid equipment.

• Placing of first aid equipment and signage. In addition to the appropriate first aid equipment and facilities, you’ll need to make sure employees know where to find it. Signs should easily identifiable and placed where they can be seen.

How clear signage can help

Enabling employees and visitors to quickly access your first-aid facilities is essential in minimising the impact of accidents and illnesses. This is a vital consideration for both the wellbeing of individuals and the integrity of the business.

Quick access to such facilities is made possible through clear and appropriate first aid signage.

Position your first aid signs in places where they are clearly visible and are not likely be obstructed from view.

They should also be easily identifiable. So, for example, signs for first-aid rooms and first aid boxes should have a white cross on a green background.

For more specialist first aid provision, such as and emergency eye wash, hand wash or shower, you will want to have additional symbols on those to make it clear what is available.

Keeping you safe

At JPS Online, we offer a wide range of first aid signs. They are all designed to keep your staff, customers and visitors safe while on your business premises.

They indicate where your facilities are in a clear and easily recognisable way, so your first aid provision can help those in need in a timely manner. This will help in minimising the impact of any accidents or sudden illnesses. 

We understand that every business is different, so we work closely with you to truly understand your needs and advise on what signage will work for the circumstances of your business.

To find out how we can help you keep your workplace as safe as possible and compliant through high quality signage, get in touch today on 01285 650441.