How many first aiders does your workplace need?
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It is one of the most common questions we hear from employers: how many first aiders do we actually need? The honest answer is that it depends on your workplace. There is no single number that suits every business, but there is a sensible way to work it out.
Start with a first aid needs assessment
The law requires employers to provide adequate and appropriate first aid. The starting point is a first aid needs assessment, which looks at the realities of your workplace, such as:
How many people work on site, and how many may be there at once, including visitors
The hazards and risks of your work, such as machinery, chemicals or working at height
Shift patterns, lone working and out-of-hours working
How far you are from emergency services, and whether any sites are remote
Any staff or visitors with specific health needs
A rough guide from HSE guidance
The Health and Safety Executive publishes guidance with suggested numbers as a starting point. In broad terms:
Lower-risk workplaces, such as offices and shops: fewer than 25 employees would usually need at least one appointed person, 25 to 50 would usually need at least one first aider trained in Emergency First Aid at Work, and more than 50 would usually need at least one first aider trained in First Aid at Work for every 100 employed (or part thereof)
Higher-risk workplaces, such as light engineering, food processing, warehousing, construction or extensive work with dangerous machinery: fewer than 5 employees would usually need at least one appointed person, 5 to 50 would usually need at least one first aider trained in Emergency First Aid at Work or First Aid at Work, depending on the type of injuries that might occur, and more than 50 would usually need at least one first aider trained in First Aid at Work for every 50 employed (or part thereof)
These are only starting points. Your own needs assessment may point to more, and you should always check the current HSE guidance for the full details.
Do not forget cover for absence
First aiders go on holiday, fall ill and work different shifts. If you only have the bare minimum, there will be times when nobody trained is on site. Many employers train a few extra people so cover is always available, including across shifts and sites.
Appointed person or first aider?
An appointed person takes charge when someone is injured or taken ill, and looks after the first aid equipment and calls the emergency services. They do not need first aid training and are not a first aider. Where your needs assessment finds that a trained first aider is not required, this may be enough, but it is often worth going further.
Choosing the right course
Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW) is a one-day course, and First Aid at Work (FAW) is a three-day course. Certificates last three years, so plan requalification before they expire. HSE also strongly recommends annual refresher training to help first aiders keep their skills up to date. See our Emergency First Aid at Work and First Aid at Work courses for more detail.
Not sure how many you need?
Every workplace is different, and this article is general guidance rather than legal advice. Send us an enquiry with a few details about your team and your workplace, and we will help you decide how many people to train and which course suits you.
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