Frequently Asked Questions

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First aiders are an integral part of workplace safety. The Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981 require all employers to make arrangements to ensure their employees receive immediate attention if they are injured or taken ill at work. This includes appointing a suitable amount of first aiders and providing appropriate first aid training. 

 The number of first aiders needed is determined by a combination of the number of people you employ the level of hazard that your operations present, the layout and size of your workplace and work patterns such as shifts. The number differs from employer to employer and a thorough risk assessment is required to determine what is appropriate for your operation.

As a rule of thumb, if you operate at a higher hazard, you should have 1 first aider with a first aid at work certificate for every 50 people employed on site at all times. For lower hazard employers, it is 1 first aider for the first 25 people employed on site at all times, then 1 extra for every 100 people employed.

If you operate over several floors, a large site or have a shift pattern, you need to ensure the same provision is provided across your whole site and at all times your workplace is open. If you have a multi-use site that has a variety of operations, for example an office plus light manufacturing on site, you need to ensure that enough trained first aiders are provided based on the varying hazards of different parts of your site. The HSE also advises that you take into account if parts of your site are open to members of the public and ensure sufficient first aiders are provided.

You, as an employer, are best placed to understand the exact nature of your workplace and decide what you need to provide.

First aid provision must be 'adequate and appropriate in the circumstances'. This means that you must provide sufficient first aid equipment (first aid kit), facilities and personnel at all times.

Further guidance from HSE here

The first aid at work course is most appropriate for employers who, based on their risk assessment, operate with a higher degree of hazard or for larger employers who, based on their risk assessment, operate with a lower degree of hazard.

The first aid at work course also covers more first aid techniques than the emergency first aid at work and if an employer’s risk assessments identifies that employees are at specific risk for example fractures, burns or anaphylactic shock they should train their first aiders in this first aid at work course.

An appointed person is expected to take charge of the first aid arrangements which includes looking after first aid equipment such as ensuring the first aid kit is regularly replenished and calling the emergency services if an incident occurs. They are not expected nor are they trained to provide first aid. Appointed persons are only appropriate for very small low risk workplaces where their risk assessment has identified that a first aiders is not required. A first aider is trained and assessed to be competent to provide first aid if a first aid incident occurs. 

 The decision on what to provide will be influenced by the findings of the first-aid needs assessment. Employers may wish to refer to British Standard BS 8599-1 which provides further information on the contents of workplace first-aid kits. Whether using a first-aid kit complying with BS 8599-1 or an alternative kit, the contents should reflect the outcome of the first-aid needs assessment.

It is recommended that you don't keep tablets and medicines in the first-aid box.

For further guidance from HSE here