First aid preparedness in the workplace

What is first aid preparedness in the workplace?

Workplace first aid preparedness refers to the ability of a workplace to provide first aid in a variety of situations. This capacity is influenced, among other things, by the training of company staff, first aid equipment, and pre-agreed and rehearsed procedures. When is the level of first aid preparedness sufficient is another question, which we will answer later on this page. However, the workplace must take adequate account of first aid and the measures to be taken in various situations. You can start building your own workplace first aid preparedness yourself by using the infographic below or by thinking about it with the help of various questions.

What kind of first aid preparedness do you have in your workplace?

1. Are there enough first-aid trained people in the workplace and are they adequately trained and up to date? Are there certainly enough trained people at each workstation and on each shift? Are there enough trained employees to cover holidays and possible sickness absences?
2. How will first aid preparedness be kept adequate in the future? Training plan?
3. Is the workplace adequately equipped with first aid equipment for different situations? There should be enough first aid equipment, but too many different types of first aid equipment can also be a hindrance in a real-life situation when the user does not know how to choose the appropriate equipment.
4. How is first aid equipment kept up to date? When do products become obsolete? When should defibrillator batteries be replaced?
5. How do you deal with different first-aid situations in the workplace, such as accidents? Have plans of action been drawn up and is everyone familiar with them? How about the training?
6. Who is responsible for first aid preparedness in the workplace?

What is adequate first aid preparedness in the workplace?

The Finnish law and regulations on first aid at the workplace apply to all companies and employers, regardless of sector. The occupational health survey carried out at the workplace determines the need for first aid preparedness and the extent to which it is required. The need for first aid at the workplace is largely determined by the risks inherent in the work and the different jobs are divided into three risk categories on this basis.

Accident risk categories in the workplace

In principle, the more employees a company has, the more first-aid trained people it should have. Even in small companies, regardless of the sector, there should be at least one employee trained in first aid, because accidents happen in small companies too. Generally speaking, at least 5% of staff in every workplace should have valid first aid training. In addition, employers must ensure that each shift and site has at least one person trained in first aid if the number of employees is less than 10.
However, in many occupations it is justified to train more than the recommended number in order to ensure first aid preparedness during holidays and other possible absences. In addition, in customer service occupations and at events, the number of first-aid trainees should be calculated to ensure that customers can also be cared for in the event of an accident or injury. In sectors with a higher accident risk classification, more first aid trained staff are needed in relation to the number of people.

Number of first aid trainees at the workplace and the required first aid training

1. Low risk of accident;

• at least one first-aid trained worker in workplaces with fewer than 10 people and one person for every 25 or more people on a shift and at each workstation in larger workplaces. In general, sufficient first aid competence is considered to be valid with Emergency First Aid course, which is maintained through a refresher course every three years.

2. The risk of an accident is obvious;

• at least one first-aid trained worker per 10 people on each shift and at each workstation. In general, first aid qualification requires a Basic First Aid course, plus ongoing maintenance training in First Aid Refresher courses every three years.

3. Specific risk of accident;

• At least one first-aid trained worker per 5 persons per shift and workstation. In general, at least a Basic First Aid course and First Aid Refresher courses every 1.5 years are recommended.
• In addition, all electricians and anyone involved in managing or assisting with electrical work must have completed at least Emergency First Aid training. For those working with electricity Emergency First Aid shall include, in addition, first aid for injuries caused by electricity. First aid training appropriate to electrical work must be completed every three years. The requirements for first aid in electrical work can be found in the SFS 6002 electrical safety standard and these requirements are met by  our personalised Emergency First Aid courses.

First aid equipment required in the workplace

The first aid equipment you buy for your workplace should be as easy to use as possible, taking into account your working environment, and well suited to treating the more likely accidents you are likely to encounter at your workplace. When planning the amount of first aid equipment to be provided and the location of them, it is worth taking advice from health care professionals. This planning should use a risk assessment chart similar to the one used to plan the number of first aid trainees. You can use this annex as a model.

Employers often acquires a large number of first-aid kits for his workplace, which are often many times oversized or unnecessary in relation to the actual need for an accident. On the other hand, sudden serious injuries can occur in any workplace and therefore the purchase of a defibrillator is often a very worthwhile investment for the occupational safety. Sudden serious medical attacks and resuscitation situations are still quite rare in the workplace, but when they do occur, we all wish we could use for example a defibrillator as part of the resuscitation process. Many of us may never have seen a CPR situation in real life, but may have witnessed one, for example on TV watching the 12.6.2021 Finland vs Denmark football match. Cardiac arrest looks and feels like a frightening situation, but as seen in the above situation, a good outcome is possible with immediate CPR, with access to a defibrillator after a short delay.

How does Kela provide first aid equipment and first aid training for the workplace?

The reimbursement covers the cost of first aid equipment purchased for supervised first aid at the workplace, such as: 

• first-aid cabinets and standard dressing materials purchased for each workstation
• first-aid kits with dressing materials equivalent in content and purpose to the first-aid cabinets at the workstation
• necessary replenishment of the contents of first aid cabinets and kits
• eye wash bottles

Equipment and supplies for emergency care and equipment purchased to maintain disaster preparedness are not covered by occupational health care, including defibrillators, stretchers, emergency showers, first aid tubes, pressure, compression, tourniquets, stretchers, blankets, etc.

Medicines purchased at the workplace (prescription, over-the-counter) are not covered by occupational health care. The exception to this is for medicines that the occupational health care deems necessary for business trips abroad, taking into account the circumstances of the country of destination and the duration of the trip.

It should also be noted that it is possible for employers to be reimbursed for the costs of first aid preparedness if the conditions for reimbursement are met:

• the occupational health professional has, on the basis of a workplace survey, deemed first aid training and first aid preparedness procurement necessary (Finnish Government 708/2013 § 11.)
• the needs identified are recorded in the action plan made by occupational health care.

Laws relating to first aid preparedness in the workplace

In Finland, companies and employers have a legal obligation to ensure that adequate readiness for first aid is available at the workplace. The employer must ensure that employees and persons visiting the workplace are provided with adequate first aid in the event of an accident or injury. The guide to first aid at workplaces by Ministry of Social Affairs and Health was amended on 24 January 2020, and Occupational Safety and Health Administration expressed the requirements for workplace first aid on its website as follows:

" The workplace must have a first aid kit that is comprehensive enough for the nature of the work. In addition, workers must be instructed in how to act in the event of an accident so that damage is kept to a minimum. The extent of the instructions depends on the work and the specific characteristics of the working conditions." Source: https://www.tyosuojelu.fi/tyoterveys-ja-tapaturmat/onnettomuuksien-ehkaisy

The most important legislation and regulations governing the organisation of first aid preparedness in workplaces in Finland.

Observations that apply to every workplace:

• Every employee should receive instructions from their employer on the measures to be taken in case of a situation requiring first aid(download the printable emergency first aid instructions for workplaces here).
• The employer must ensure that there are enough first aid trained people at the workplace. There must also be a sufficient number of first-aid-trained workers in work teams that work separately from others for short periods. A list of first-aid trained persons must be available to all employees.
• For situations requiring first aid, the workplace should have an adequate supply of appropriate first aid equipment located at designated points, and these first aid stations should be clearly marked.

Occupational Health Care Act (1383/2001)

• 12 § content of occupational health care

Finnish Government Decree on the principles of good occupational health care practice, the content of occupational health care and the training of professionals and specialists (708/2013)

• 11 § first aid preparedness

Occupational Safety Act (738/2002)

• 46 § first aid

Finnish Government Decree on Safety and Health Requirements at Work (577/2003)

• 8 § first aid facilities

Finnish Government Decree on safety signs at workplaces and their minimum requirements (687/2015)

Finnish Government Decree on Safety in Construction Work (205/2009)

• 74 § first aid and rescue equipments

Finnish Government Decree on Safety in Logging (749/2001)

• 13 § first aid

Finnish Government Decree on Chemical Agents at Work (715/2001)

• 9 § specific prevention and protection measures
• 10 § Hazards arising from the physical properties of chemical agents
• 11 § Accidents, hazards and emergencies

Government Decree on Safety in Blasting and Mining (644/2011)

• § 23 Organisation of rescue

Finnish Government Decree on occupational safety in the loading and unloading of ships (633/2004)

• 22 § Rescue equipments

KELA reimbursements and education allowances

A prerequisite for KELA reimbursement is that the company has organised occupational health care and that the workplace survey carried out by the occupational health service shows the need for first aid equipment and first aid-trained employees and that this is clearly recorded in the plan.

To be eligible for KELA reimbursement for first aid training, the instructor of the course must be a nurse, paramedic, health nurse, firefighter or doctor who has completed a separate first aid instructor qualification and the required maintenance training(s). 

Employers can apply for training allowances for the training they provide. The training allowance is a statutory allowance designed to improve a company's ability to provide its employees with training that develops the skills required for the job.

Act on compensation for education 1140/2013 https://www.finlex.fi/fi/laki/alkup/2013/20131140

Key elements of the training allowance:

• The training allowance contributes to the reimbursement of the employer's wage costs for the training.
• The training must be based on a plan drawn up in advance. The plan must be drawn up before the training starts.
• The training allowance is payable for training of at least one (1) hour's duration and the employee is paid for the training.
• One day of training is considered to be at least 6 hours.
• For one employee, it is possible to claim reimbursement for three training days (18 hours) per calendar year.

Downloadable files

112-FormDownload 

first-aid instructions for the workplaceDownload