How Many First Aiders Does My Business Need?

Is there a legal minimum number of first aiders?

Under the Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981, employers must provide adequate and appropriate first aid arrangements for their employees.

However, the law doesn’t specify a fixed number of trained first aiders based purely on how many people you employ.

Instead, employers must assess their first aid needs, taking into account their workforce, working environment and the risks involved.

The HSE does provide suggested numbers to help businesses get started.

HSE Guidance: How Many First Aiders Do You Need?

The following tables are based on the HSE’s published guidance for first aid provision in the workplace.

Lower-risk workplaces

Examples include offices, shops and libraries.

Higher-risk workplaces

Examples include construction, manufacturing, warehousing, engineering and workplaces using dangerous machinery.

Important: These figures are HSE recommendations, not automatic legal requirements. Your first aid needs assessment may identify that additional first aiders, equipment or specialist training are necessary.

Source: HSE – First Aid at Work: Your Questions Answered (INDG214).

What Is an Appointed Person?

You might have noticed that the table mentions an appointed person rather than a trained first aider for some smaller workplaces.

An appointed person is someone responsible for managing your workplace’s first aid arrangements.

Their responsibilities include:

• Looking after first aid equipment and facilities.
• Ensuring first aid supplies are available.
• Calling the emergency services when necessary.
• Taking charge of the arrangements when someone becomes injured or unwell.

An appointed person does not legally need to hold a first aid qualification.

However, being an appointed person is not the same as being a trained first aider. If your assessment identifies a need for someone who can provide first aid treatment, you’ll need to arrange suitable training.

Don’t Forget About Holidays, Sickness and Shift Patterns

This is something we always encourage employers to think about.

Imagine you have a workplace with 30 employees and you’ve trained one person in Emergency First Aid at Work.

That might appear to meet the HSE’s suggested provision for a lower-risk workplace.

But what happens when that person takes two weeks off?

Or they’re off sick?

Or they work Monday to Friday, but your business also operates on Saturdays?

The HSE’s suggested numbers refer to the first aid personnel who should be available while people are at work, not simply the number of employees who hold a certificate.

Your first aid needs assessment should therefore consider how you’ll maintain suitable cover during holidays, sickness, breaks and different working hours.

For some businesses, training two or three people may be more practical than relying on one.

What Else Should You Consider?

Employee numbers are only part of the picture.

Your assessment should also consider:

• Workplace hazards: Are employees using machinery, sharp tools, chemicals or other potentially dangerous equipment?
• Previous incidents: What injuries or illnesses have occurred in your workplace before?
• Lone workers: Do employees regularly work alone or travel between locations?
• Remote locations: Could it take longer for emergency medical assistance to arrive?
• Workforce needs: Are there any particular health needs or circumstances that may affect your arrangements?
• Multiple buildings: Can a first aider reach someone quickly, wherever they are working?
• Visitors and customers: Do members of the public regularly attend your workplace?

You should also consider whether your assessment identifies any additional training or equipment needs, such as managing life-threatening bleeding.

The aim isn’t simply to have enough certificates on the wall. It’s to make sure someone can respond appropriately when they’re needed.

Should Our First Aiders Complete EFAW or FAW?

Once you’ve established how many people need training, the next question is which qualification is appropriate.

Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW) is a one-day course covering essential emergency first aid skills, including CPR, using a defibrillator and managing an unresponsive casualty.

First Aid at Work (FAW) is a three-day course that includes the EFAW syllabus alongside a wider range of injuries and illnesses.

The most suitable course depends on your first aid needs assessment, rather than employee numbers alone.

We’ve covered this in more detail in our article: EFAW vs FAW – What’s the Difference?

Do First Aid Certificates Expire?

Yes. Workplace EFAW and FAW certificates are valid for three years.

The HSE also strongly recommends annual refresher training to help first aiders maintain their skills and confidence between qualifications.

It’s worth keeping a record of your team’s expiry dates so you can arrange requalification before certificates run out.

Not Sure How Many First Aiders Your Business Needs?

We know that working through first aid requirements can feel confusing, particularly if you’re responsible for several sites, different working patterns or a mixture of workplace risks.

At White Cross Training, we’re always happy to talk through your requirements and help you understand the HSE guidance before you decide which training to book.

We deliver Emergency First Aid at Work and First Aid at Work courses in Plymouth, across Devon and Cornwall, and throughout the UK.

Whether you need to train one person or organise first aid provision for a larger team, we’ll help you find a suitable option.

Need some advice? Get in touch with White Cross Training.

This article provides general guidance based on HSE recommendations. Employers remain responsible for assessing their own first aid needs and ensuring adequate and appropriate provision.