Basic First Aid Skills for HR Managers: Essential Knowledge for Workplace Safety
Why HR Managers Need First Aid Training
HR managers play a vital role in employee well-being, ensuring that workplaces are safe, compliant, and prepared for emergencies. While first aid training is typically assigned to designated first aiders, HR professionals must also have a fundamental understanding of first aid procedures.
A First Aid at Work Course equips HR managers in London, Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds, Bristol, Hassocks, and Brighton with essential life-saving skills that allow them to act effectively before medical professionals arrive.
The Role of HR in First Aid Preparedness
1. Legal Responsibilities
According to the Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981, UK businesses must:
✅ Provide adequate first aid training for employees.
✅ Ensure first aid kits are stocked and accessible.
✅ Appoint trained first aiders who have completed a First Aid at Work Course.
✅ Implement a workplace first aid policy to guide response procedures.
HR managers in Leeds, Brighton, and Bristol should ensure that all first aid requirements are met to comply with UK law.
2. Conducting a First Aid Needs Assessment
HR managers must assess the level of first aid provision required for their workplace. This includes:
✅ Identifying workplace hazards (e.g., machinery, hazardous substances, manual handling).
✅ Determining how many employees need first aid training.
✅ Ensuring first aiders are trained and available on all shifts.
For example, an office in London may require only one trained first aider per 50 employees, whereas a warehouse in Manchester might need a first aider for every 10 workers.
Essential First Aid Skills HR Managers Should Know
Even if an HR manager is not a designated first aider, having basic first aid knowledge is invaluable.
1. CPR and AED Use
Cardiac arrests are one of the leading causes of workplace fatalities. HR managers should know how to:
✅ Perform CPR (30 chest compressions followed by 2 rescue breaths).
✅ Use an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) correctly.
✅ Recognise the signs of a heart attack or stroke and respond accordingly.
Businesses in Birmingham, Manchester, and Bristol should ensure AEDs are available on-site and employees know where to find them.
2. Managing Workplace Injuries
Common injuries in the workplace include:
✅ Cuts and lacerations – Apply pressure to stop bleeding and dress wounds correctly.
✅ Burns and scalds – Cool burns under running water for 20 minutes and apply sterile dressings.
✅ Fractures and sprains – Immobilise the injury and seek medical attention if necessary.
HR managers in Leeds, Brighton, and London should ensure workplaces are stocked with the correct first aid supplies to handle these incidents.
3. Recognising Signs of Medical Emergencies
HR managers should be able to identify and respond to serious medical conditions, such as:
✅ Choking – Perform abdominal thrusts (Heimlich maneuver).
✅ Seizures – Protect the individual and time the seizure.
✅ Severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) – Administer an EpiPen if available.
A First Aid at Work Course covers these essential first aid skills, ensuring that HR professionals can act quickly and confidently.
How HR Managers Can Implement a First Aid Strategy
1. Organise First Aid Training for Employees
HR professionals should:
✅ Ensure all employees receive basic first aid training.
✅ Enrol designated first aiders in a First Aid at Work Course.
✅ Schedule refresher courses every three years.
Companies in Birmingham, Manchester, and Leeds must ensure that training is kept up to date.
2. Ensure First Aid Supplies Are Available
HR should check that:
✅ First aid kits are fully stocked and regularly inspected.
✅ AEDs are installed in accessible locations.
✅ Emergency contacts and procedures are displayed clearly.
Workplaces in London, Brighton, and Bristol should assign responsibility to a trained first aider for maintaining first aid equipment.
The Benefits of HR Managers Having First Aid Skills
1. Faster Emergency Response
If HR professionals understand first aid, they can act quickly in critical situations, reducing injury severity and improving outcomes.
2. Legal Compliance and Reduced Liability
Ensuring adequate first aid training helps businesses comply with UK health and safety laws and minimise workplace liability risks.
3. Employee Confidence and Safety Culture
Employees feel safer and more valued when they know their employer prioritises workplace safety.
Next Steps for HR Professionals
To ensure your workplace is compliant and safe, HR teams should:
✅ Book a consultation to assess first aid training needs.
✅ Get a free risk assessment to ensure compliance.
✅ Claim free staff training to improve workplace safety.