How many first aiders do I need to appoint? and What do first aiders do?

How many first aiders do I need to appoint?

Whenever you have 10 or more employees within a work environment, you are required to train and appoint:

a) 1 first aider for every 100 employees in an office or shop workplace environment.

                                                            or

b) 1 first aider for every 50 employees in any other workplace environment.

The first aider should be in possession of a valid first aid certificate, issued by a person or organization approved by the chief inspector for this purpose.

Make sure you have the first aider/s on every shift available.

What do first aiders do?

As a First aider you are the first and immediate assistance to any person suffering from either a minor or serious illness or injury.

This is what General Safety Regulations, 1986 states:

General Safety Regulations, 1986

First aid, emergency equipment and procedures

3.(4) Where more than 10 employees are employed at a workplace, the employer of such employees shall take steps to ensure that for every group of up to 50 employees at that workplace, or in the case of a shop or an office as contemplated in the Basic Conditions of employment Act, 1983 (Act No. 3 of 1983), for every group of up to 100 employees, at least one person is readily available during normal working hours, who is in possession of a valid certificate of competency in first aid, issued by –

(a) the SA Red Cross Society;

(b) the St. John Ambulance;

(c) the SA First Aid League; or

(d) a person or organisation approved by the chief inspector for this purpose.