Number of First Aiders Required

The Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981 require employers to provide adequate and appropriate equipment, facilities and personnel to be able to immediately deliver first aid to employees if they are injured or fall ill at work.

 

Use this chart to assess the number of trained First Aiders the HSE would recommend for your business:

 Number of First Aiders Recommended by HSE

 

What degree of hazard is associated with your work activities?

Number of people employed
at each location

How many First Aiders

are needed?

Low hazard

eg. shops, offices, libraries

Less than 25

At least one appointed person to take charge of first aid arrangements

25 to 50

At least one first aider trained in Emergency First Aid at work

More than 50

At least one first aider trained in First Aid at Work per 100 employed (or part thereof)

Higher hazard

eg. light engineering and assembly work, food processing, warehousing, extensive work with dangerous machinery or sharp instruments, construction, chemical manufacturing

Less than 5

At least one appointed person to take charge of first aid arrangements

5 to 50

At least one first aider trained in Emergency First Aid at Work or First Aid at Work depending on the type of injuries that may occur

More than 50

At least one first aider trained in First Aid at Work for every 50 employed (or part thereof)

 

  

Do any of your employees work shifts or work out of hours?

You should ensure there is adequate first aid provision at all times people are at work.

 

Are the premises spread out across several buildings or floors?

You should consider provision in each building or on each floor.

 

Do you have sufficient provision to cover absences of first aiders?

You should ensure you have cover for unplanned leave, sickness, annual leave and other planned absences.