First Aid in the business
The company infirmary
This room must be easily accessible (also for outside agents) and known to all employees, while at the same time being situated in a calm environment with little exposure to noise.
This room in which first aid is provided and examinations may be made must have uniform lighting, a comfortable temperature, a healthy atmosphere and permanent ventilation even if the door is closed.
The standard equipment of this room comprises:
- a sufficiently wide entrance to allow a stretcher to be brought in and out (allow at least 90 cm because a simple stretcher has a width of at least 58cm);
- the room must be easy to wash; the floor and wall coverings must be easy to maintain and disinfect;
- hot and cold water taps;
- a telephone call point;
- adequate electricity supply with sufficient sockets close to the desk and examination couch;
- a desk with two chairs, one for the first aids and one for the visitor;
- a cupboard to store materials, bandage boxes and also, if appropriate, pharmaceuticals or medical instruments;
- a robust examination couch with a fixed pedestal accompanied by a foot rest and a stool mounted on castors;
- essential accessories, such as a coat hanger and a waste paper basket.
The room must be close to the toilets and easily accessible.
What should a first aid kit contain?The contents of a first aid kit in the workplace must be adapted to the nature of the risks existing in the enterprise. |
Organisation Of First Aid
The Law of 17 June 1994 on the Safety and Health of Workers at the Workplace requires companies to train a stipulated number of first aid helpers ( according to AAA recommendations):
- for a company with an administrative and commercial activity, 5% of the employees must have been given first aid training.
- for other types of business, this proportion rises to 10%.
These first aid helpers receive training in all relevant first aid techniques, such as cardio-pulmonary resuscitation, vascular compression … and also additional training if their company presents special risks.
It is the Institut National de la Formation des Secours (INFS) via the Corps Grand-Ducal d’Incendie et de Secours (CGDIS) which provides training for first aiders via the portal cours.cgdis.lu.
- A unique 16-hour course model available in French or German.
- The course remains valid for a period of 5 years and is non-renewable.
- Registration is mandatory online and before each session.
Automatic defibrillators
The Grand Ducal Regulation of 19 November 2008 allows any person to use a Category 1 automatic defibrillator.
The ASTF gives courses for the handling of defibrillators.
The AAA provisions for first aid helpers
The AAA (Accident Insurance Association) has published a guide defining such varied matters as the obligations of employers in respect of first aid, the necessary number of first aid helpers and the qualifications which they must have, together with the composition of the first aid kit, the existence of healthcare premises or indispensable signage in the company.
The guide can be downloaded (French or German) from the AAA website.