Psychological first aid after an accident
Care right away — not therapy
Introduction
Psychological first aid is care and support for someone who, at work, has been exposed to or has witnessed a traumatic event. The goal is that no one is left on their own.
What is a traumatic event?
These are serious threats, serious injuries or unexpected death. For example:
- 01A serious workplace accident
- 02A violent incident
- 03An accident on a construction site
- 04Being hit by a vehicle
What the law requires
The employer must provide both physical and psychological first aid. There must be appointed people who are trained, who are enough in number and who have suitable equipment (BEK nr. 609/2026 § 22).
The company's plan
The guidance from the Danish Working Environment Authority (Arbejdstilsynet) lists six things the company must have under control:
- 01The content of the psychological first aid is defined.
- 02People have been appointed to give it.
- 03The appointed people are trained.
- 04There are enough of them.
- 05They have suitable equipment, e.g. a mobile phone and transport if the workplaces change.
- 06The employees know what happens and whom to contact.
Some workplaces have a particular risk, e.g. work at heights over 5 m, in excavations and wells, during roadworks and with high voltage. But the requirement to offer psychological first aid applies regardless of the risk.