Self-employment in the UK is growing faster now than at any other time. Figures from the National Statistics Office report that the number of those in self-employment in the UK increased by 282,000* in 2003. In turn, with this market rapidly on the rise, many businesses are likely to be recruiting the services of self employed or freelance workers more than ever before. Employment law specialist, FirstAssist, is reminding businesses that the complex issues that surround Health and Safety and First Aid within the workplace need to be considered for both employed and self employed staff. 
So whose responsibility is it? Under The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 (MHSWR), an employer must manage and set up arrangements for health and safety in the workplace. The regulations require that a risk assessment must be carried out by the employer to assess any foreseeable risks or hazards to that of the employee and those not in its employment, such as the self employed and members of the public.
Working alongside this regulation, The First Aid at Work Regulation 1981 states that where the self employed work on the premises under the control of an employer or with other self employed workers, they each are responsible for making their own first aid provision. However, FirstAssist advises that where workers share the use of a multi-occupied site, employers should arrange for one person to take responsibility for providing first aid cover for all who work within that environment.
Pauline Pembry, Employment Law Services at FirstAssist, comments, ìWhilst the provision of first aid is the responsibility of every employer and those in self employment, it would be sensible for a formal agreement to be entered into by all parties regarding first aid cover. Having this written agreement in place will avoid a situation where the ëself employedí person sustains an injury and is not able to administer first aid to themselves other than for minor injuries.î
FirstAssist offers businesses advice on the provision of First Aid to the self employed
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