What are the employer's obligations with regard to first aid at work?
Verified 04 June 2024 - Legal and Administrative Information Directorate (Prime Minister), Ministry of Labor
The employer must ensure safety of its employees and protect their health. He has to organize the emergency care to be given to employees. What material should the employer make available? The first aid training is it mandatory? Does the employer have to write a document ? We are taking stock of the regulations.
As part of its general obligation to ensure the safety of employees and to protect their health, the employer must assess occupational risks in the company.
The result of this assessment shall be recorded in the Single Occupational Risk Assessment Document (DUERP).
Depending on the risks present in the company, the employer defines intervention guidelines accident at work in case of a medical emergency. The employer may seek advice from the occupational doctor.
All employees must be aware of these instructions. They are specified in a document prepared by the employer. This document must be easily accessible.
FYI
The employer should display, in rooms accessible to workers, the address and telephone number of the emergency services (e.g. firefighters, UAS).
The workplace must be equipped with company risk adapted first-aid equipment.
This material shall be easily accessible and shall be signposted.
The list of equipment is established by the employer after obtaining the opinion of the occupational physician. The employer may install, for example, a first aid kit, a medicine cabinet, and a defibrillator.
FYI
Where an emergency room is provided, emergency facilities and equipment may be stored in it.
Depending on the number of employees and the activity of the company, the employer must set up a first aid room in the company.
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Industrial establishments
An emergency room is required in the companies of 200 or more employees. This room must be easily accessible by stretchers. It may contain first aid equipment.
Other establishments
An emergency room is required in the companies of 500 or more employees. This room must be easily accessible by stretchers. It may contain first aid equipment.
Depending on the size and activity of the company, the employer must establish a nurse in the company.
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Industrial establishments
Less than 200 employees
A nurse shall be present if the occupational doctor and the Social and Economic Committee (ESC) so request.
From 200 to 800 employees
These companies must have 1 nurse.
More than 800 employees
These companies must have 1 nurse and 1 additional nurse per 600 employees. For example, a company with 1,700 employees must have two nurses.
Other establishments
Less than 500 employees
A nurse shall be present if the occupational doctor and the Social and Economic Committee (ESC) so request.
From 500 to 1000 employees
These companies must have 1 nurse.
More than 1000 employees
These companies must have 1 nurse and 1 additional nurse per 1,000 employees. For example, a company with 2,100 employees must have two nurses.
An employee shall be trained in first aid in each workshop where hazardous work is carried out.
An employee must also be trained on each site employing 20 workers at least for more than 15 days where hazardous work is carried out.
Trained employees cannot replace nurses.
FYI
It is recommended that more personnel be trained to enable an effective response to an accident.
Who can help me?
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Departmental Directorate for Employment, Labor and Solidarity (DDETS or DDETS-PP)
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First aid and rescue personnel
Nurses in industrial establishments with more than 200 employees and other establishments with more than 500 employees
Nurses in industrial establishments with less than 200 employees and other establishments with less than 500 employees
Required Documents and Views
Service-Public.fr
National Research and Security Institute (INRS)