More than 600,000 people were injured at work in 2023/24 (Health and Safety Executive (HSE), 2025a), and nearly 130,000 had to take more than seven days off as a result. 

By law, employers have a duty to provide “appropriate equipment, facilities and personnel to ensure their employees receive immediate attention if they are injured or taken ill at work” (Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981).

But first aid is about much more. “It’s about demonstrating care and responsibility,” says Lisa Sharman, Head of Education and Training at St John Ambulance. “It minimises the impact of incidents, builds trust and reputation, and fosters confidence among both staff and customers.”

The HSE advises that firms should cater not just for employees but also for contractors, freelance workers and members of the public in the workplace.

Optometrists are also bound by the General Optical Council Standards of Practice (2024) to help patients during emergencies. Standard 12 says you must “use your professional judgement to assess the urgency of the situation” and “provide any care that is within your scope of practice which will provide benefit for the patient”. You must refer them to another healthcare professional or source of care where appropriate.