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Event Planning: First Aid

Event organisers should ensure that appropriate medical, ambulance and first-aid provision is available for all events, whatever their type and size.

The Health & Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981 require employers to provide adequate and appropriate equipment, facilities and personnel to ensure their employees receive immediate attention if they are injured or taken ill at work. These regulations apply to all workplaces, including those with less than five employees and to the self-employed. What is ‘adequate and appropriate’ will depend on the circumstances in the workplace which may differ during the build-up, running and break down of an event.

Event operators should carry out an assessment of first-aid needs to determine what to provide employees and, although the Regulations do not place a duty on employers to provide first-aid for non-employees, it is strongly recommended that non-employees should be included in the assessment and appropriate provision is made for them.

It is the event organiser’s responsibility to ensure the availability of medical, ambulance and first-aid assistance as appropriate for all those involved.

You should ensure that you have adequate plans in place regarding the provision of medical ambulance and first aid services in consultation with the statutory services. You may wish to appoint a competent organisation to provide medical management.

It is advised that the first aid post designated at your event is clearly signposted and provided with easy access for spectators and an ambulance at all times. Where an ambulance is required, a parking area should be provided close to the first aid post with a clear exit from the site.  Make sure that all persons assisting at the event know where the first aid post is and, where appropriate, the identity of the first-aider.  Locate the nearest telephone box, provide access to a telephone or provide mobile phones.

Consider

  • Named event manager
  • Specific and exclusive routes for emergency vehicles
  • Maintenance of adequate personnel cover
  • Potential landing sites for an air ambulance
  • Communications e.g. telephone box and or provision of mobile phones
  • Documentation e.g. suitable and sufficient risk assessment, training certification etc.
  • Medical, ambulance and first aid provision
  • First aid points
  • Disposal of all types of waste
  • Liaison with welfare Services

First aiders, ambulance and medical workers should

  • Be at least 16 years old
  • have no other duties or responsibilities at the time of the event
  • have identification
  • have protective clothing
  • have relevant training
  • be physically and psychologically equipped to carry out their assigned role.

If an accident occurs during an event on Dover District Council property, this must be reported to us at the earliest opportunity.