Episode 3 of 14 · 3 min read
First Aider Responsibilities and the First Aid Kit
Being a first aider is more than treatment. You record accidents, report serious incidents under RIDDOR, protect personal data, and keep the right kit stocked for your workplace.
Recording accidents
Employers must record accidents and near misses so trends can be spotted and fixed. If a piece of equipment or an activity keeps hurting people, the record is the evidence that gets it changed.
- Casualty's name, plus the date, time and location of the accident
- What was injured, where on the body, and a description of what happened
- The treatment you gave and any advice you passed on
- What happened next: back to work, sent home, or taken to hospital
RIDDOR: reporting serious incidents
RIDDOR stands for the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations. Serious incidents are reported to the HSE: a casualty losing consciousness, someone who stops breathing, serious breaks, or any member of the public taken to hospital for treatment rather than as a precaution.
A clear accident report form is the basis of a RIDDOR report. Accident records hold personal details, so keep them secure and handle them in line with UK GDPR.
What goes in a first aid kit
A standard workplace kit includes triangular bandages, wound dressings in more than one size, plasters, gloves, an eye dressing and a basic first aid guidance card.
Your risk assessment may add more: ice packs where sports injuries are likely, eye wash where dust or chemicals are handled, antiseptic wipes for treating casualties away from running water, scissors, microporous tape and gauze.
Common questions
What is RIDDOR in first aid?
The Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations. It requires certain serious workplace incidents to be reported to the Health and Safety Executive, such as loss of consciousness or a hospital admission.
What should a workplace first aid kit contain?
As a baseline: triangular bandages, wound dressings, plasters, gloves, an eye dressing and a guidance card. Your first aid needs assessment decides anything extra, like eye wash or ice packs.
Related skills
Go beyond reading
Skills stick when you practise them
A certified course puts these skills in your hands: real CPR practice, real feedback, a recognised certificate for work. One-day Emergency First Aid at Work courses run across the UK.
Find a certified courseFirst Aid Guru guides support learning and refreshing your knowledge. They are not a substitute for regulated, hands-on first aid training or for professional medical advice. In an emergency call 999 (UK) and follow the call handler's instructions.