Workplace First Aid, Explained Without the Jargon
Workplace First Aid: what it is, why it matters, and what published guidance actually asks of you.
Survival in cardiac arrest depends almost entirely on what bystanders do before the ambulance arrives.
Key takeaways
- Employer duty: adequate first aid equipment, facilities and personnel
- CPR compression depth: 5-6cm, at 100-120 per minute
- Most useful single change: Know where the first aid kit and defibrillator are before you need them.
- Commonest mistake: Delaying CPR to check for a pulse.
- See a doctor if any of the signs under "When to speak to a doctor" below apply to you.
The short answer
The first aid provision employers must make, and what to do in the first minutes.
Where it fits
This is part of Workplace Health. What follows is what the guidance says, and then what that looks like in practice.
The numbers, in one place
| Measure | Figure |
|---|---|
| Employer duty | adequate first aid equipment, facilities and personnel |
| CPR compression depth | 5-6cm, at 100-120 per minute |
| Hands-only CPR | endorsed for untrained responders |
| Defibrillators | safe for untrained use; they will not shock unless needed |
| Burns | cool under running water for 20 minutes |
What that means in practice
What to do with all of that:
- Know where the first aid kit and defibrillator are before you need them
- Learn CPR; a practical course is what builds the skill
- Call 999 early and put the phone on speaker
- Report all incidents, including near misses
What gets people into trouble
Common wrong turns:
- Delaying CPR to check for a pulse
- Moving someone with a suspected spinal injury unnecessarily
- Assuming someone else has called 999
Where to go next
- A Q and A on Workplace First Aid
- Workplace First Aid: The Quick Reference
- Workplace First Aid — the reference entry
- What the Guidance Really Says About Occupational Health Services
- Work-Related Stress: What the Evidence Actually Says
When to speak to a doctor
Call 999 immediately for an unresponsive person who is not breathing normally, and start CPR straight away — send someone for a defibrillator while you continue. Also call 999 for severe bleeding, suspected heart attack or stroke, anaphylaxis, or a serious head injury.
Where this comes from
- Health and Safety Executive — first aid at work
- Resuscitation Council UK — adult basic life support
How this page was put together
Every figure, recommendation and warning above is taken from the guidance named in Where this comes from. Nothing on this page is inferred, summarised or generalised beyond what those bodies publish: where they give a number, it is their number, and where they are silent, so are we. Pages are rebuilt whenever the underlying record changes. Sign-off by a named clinician, where it has happened, is shown at the top of the page along with the date.
Medical disclaimer
This article is general information, not medical advice. It cannot account for your own history, medication or circumstances. Always speak to a GP, pharmacist or another qualified health professional before making changes that affect your treatment, and never delay seeking medical advice because of something you have read here. In an emergency, call 999.
Spotted something wrong? Report an error on this page. We correct on the page and say what changed.
