Restaurant First Aid: What You Need to Know

In the event of an injury or illness in your restaurant, failure to provide sufficient and immediate first aid can result in serious consequences. That’s why being prepared is key. 

We’ve put together a quick guide to help you navigate the process of making first-aid arrangements and getting all the necessary supplies for your business.

What is First Aid?

First aid refers to the immediate assistance that is provided to someone who is suffering from an illness or injury, be it minor or serious. 

First aid is given with the aim of keeping someone safe and not causing any further harm.

Food Businesses & First Aid: What Does The Law Say?

The Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981 require your business to “provide adequate and appropriate first-aid equipment, facilities and people so your employees can be given immediate help if they are injured or taken ill at work”.

The minimum first-aid provision for any worksite, including restaurants, comprises:

• an appointed first aider (must hold relevant certification(s) & undertake training)
• a first aid kit that is suitably stocked for the circumstances
• information for employees about first aid arrangements

The type of first-aid arrangements you need to provide, such as kits, training and information, depend on the specific circumstances and needs of the workplace. 

You don’t have an obligation to provide first aid for people you don’t employ (e.g. members of the public), but HSE recommend that you include them in your first aid provisions.

Assessing Your Restaurant’s First Aid Needs

As the employer, you’re in the best position to understand the nature of your business and what kind of first aid arrangements it requires. HSE cannot tell you exactly what provisions you should have in place at your restaurant or commercial kitchen.

If you run a small business with a low level of hazards, you may only need the minimum first aid provision. But if, for instance, your work activities include special hazards, chemical substances or even machinery, you may need a different level of first aid provisions.

When assessing the level of provision your restaurant requires, it’s important to consider:

• Type of work activities and their associated risks/hazards
• Workplace location – is it remote from emergency services?
• Number of people in your company
• Employees’ work hours and shifts
• Visitors – do non-employees visit the site?
• History of accidents

You should make sure that you’ve got a Health & Safety Management System in place, which demonstrates that you’ve identified health & safety risks and implemented the necessary precautionary measures in your workplace. 

The Health and Safety at Work Act states that all businesses with over 5 employees must have a written Health and Safety Policy to document and discuss risk assessments, fire safety, first aid, and other workplace issues.

You should also make sure to use first aid safety signs so everyone can quickly identify where supplies are kept. These should be of rectangular or square shape, featuring a white pictogram on a green background (the green part should take up at least 50% of the area of the sign).

First Aid Kits for Restaurants: Requirements & Contents

According to the HSE, there isn’t a mandatory list of specific first aid items that you need to keep in your restaurant first aid box. You can find a suggested list of contents here, which includes sterile plasters of assorted sizes, wound dressings and disposable gloves.

Here at Complete Safety Supplies, we stock a comprehensive range of HSE-compliant first aid supplies, including catering first aid kits and burn-care kits. 

We stock Steroplast first aid supplies which comply with British Standards (BS8599-1), as well as other essential first aid supplies and medical provisions. Steroplast products are of the highest quality and are designed to meet the toughest, most comprehensive UK and global standards.

We also offer a range of health & safety e-learning courses that have been developed to ​​complement the HABC, REHIS, CIEH, and RSPH syllabus.

Summary & Checklist

See below some of the key restaurant first aid elements you’ll need to consider and implement in your establishment:

• Undertake a needs assessment for first aid in your establishment
• Ensure there is a first aider with relevant training and certifications
• Provide first aid information & guidance in a visible, appropriate manner for employees
• Provide an appropriately stocked restaurant first aid kit 
• Ensure there is a Health & Safety Policy document for your restaurant
• Ensure you’ve got safety signs in your establishment, including first aid signs

References

First aid at work – your questions answered, Health & Safety Executive Publication, Accessed February 2022

First aid needs assessment, Health and Safety Executive, Accessed February 2022

Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, legislation.gov.uk, Accessed February 2022

Whether you’re after first aid kits for restaurant kitchens or freezer workwear, we’ve got you covered. With over 30 years of experience in the food industry, we’ve got a vast knowledge of the best safety products and are able to provide practical advice tailored to your business’ specific needs.