How many first aid staff do we need?

What does the law say?

In the event of injury or sudden illness, the Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981 require employers to provide, based on the circumstances of your workplace, “adequate and appropriate equipment, facilities and personnel” to ensure your employees receive immediate attention. This includes workplaces with fewer than five employees and the self-employed.

The law only provides guidelines and does not specify a fixed number of first aiders for any place of work.

What we need to do as an employer?

A good starting point is to conduct a first aid needs assessment to identify the number of first aid staff you should train to meet the requirements of your workplace.

The key factors to consider:

the industry and type of work you operate (e.g., offices, manufacturing, construction, etc.).

type, and size of the workspace, the layout and location (whether it’s a remote site, multiple buildings, any off‐site work, or distance from the emergency medical services)

the levels of risk (high or low risk working environments)

identify likely risks, dangers or hazards that may cause harm

the size of your workforce and staff working patterns

any workers with special health needs or disability (e.g. any staff with a serious medical condition such as asthma or diabetes)

the history of incidents, accidents, injuries, and illnesses previously recorded

holiday and other absences of first aiders (consider extra first aiders)

the volume, visitors or members of the public on site

Once you've completed the first aid needs assessment, you can identify the level of first-aid provisions needed for your place of work, for example, training course level (1-day or 3-day trained first aiders), number of first aiders, first aid equipment, first aid room, etc.

How many first aiders?

Although there are no specific rules, the HSE only offers guidance and not statutory rules, which can be used as a reference point. These differ between low-risk and higher-risk workplaces. The exact number of first aiders should be identified by your workplace's first aid needs assessment.

Low-risk workplaces

Examples - Offices, Shops or Libraries

The HSE guidance as a minimum suggests:

Fewer than 25 employees	At least one appointed person is responsible for first-aid arrangements (e.g. calling calling for an ambulance)
Between 25-50 employees	At least one person trained in an Emergency First Aid at Work course (EFAW)
More than 50 employees	At least one person trained in the First Aid at Work course (FAW) for every 100 employees (or part thereof)

High-risk workplaces

Examples - Manufacturing, Construction or Engineering

The HSE guidance as a minimum suggests:

Fewer than 5 employees	At least one appointed person is responsible for first-aid arrangements (e.g. calling for an ambulance)
Between 5-50 employees	At least one person trained in EFAW or FAW, depending on hazard level
More than 50 employees	At least one FAW-trained first aider for every 50 employees (or part thereof)

Key considerations

One first aider per ‘X’ number of employees is a starting point and not a legal requirement. The actual number may need to be higher based on your workplace risk assessment.

Employers must always have someone to deal with first aid incidents to ensure cover is available at all times if the only first aider is absent through holiday or sickness.

The level of training: The First Aid at Work (FAW) is a 3-day qualification covering serious medical conditions and incidents when compared to the Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW) 1-day course. A workplace identified as a high-risk may require FAW-trained first aid personnel.

Check out the differences between the courses in our quick reference guide HERE.

Where the risk is identified as very low (self-employed or small operations), it may be appropriate to only have an appointed person or minimal provision.

Example Scenarios

Below are examples of three scenarios for workplaces in a low, moderate and high risk environments.

Small Office Space

Number of staff employed: 20

First aid needs assessment: low risk, occupying a single floor, operating normal business hours, no high-risk machinery.

Provisions: At least one appointed person who is responsible for first aid arrangements (first aid kit, calling for an ambulance service). Possibly consider training an EFAW first aider if the level of risk increases or circumstances change in the future.

Hotel (with a swimming pool)

Number of staff employed: 45

First aid needs assessment: low to moderate risk (slips, trips, falls, manual lifting, access to public).

Provisions: At a minimum, one EFAW trained first aider with extra first aiders to cover absence, guests, multiple shifts and a 6-storey building

Consider: Additional trained first aiders to cover absence or holiday leave. Train first aiders who work in the swimming pool area in drowning CPR, and choking protocols.

Food Manufacturing Plant

Number of staff employed: 140

First aid needs assessment: high risk (machinery and moving parts), multiple shifts, operating in 3 different manufacturing plants.

Provisions: At least 3 FAW-trained first aiders for 140 staff. Ensure full coverage during a 24-hour operational period with the possibility of extra trained staff to cover absences and shifts.

Is it worth considering more first aiders?

Yes, possibly so!

It is recommended that additional trained first aiders on-site ensure coverage during your business or organisation's operation hours if one first aider is on leave or away sick, and a better response time to an incident if the workspace covers a large area or multiple buildings/floors, shifts, and enables first aiders to rest/rotate in a serious first aid situation like CPR where prolonged chest compressions on a casualty is needed. While HSE does not define the exact numbers, they do expect adequacy.

Employers checklist

Conduct a first-aid needs assessment and record the findings.

Identify the level of training needed, whether it’s an appointed person, EFAW, FAW or a customised session based on your workplace needs.

Number of first aiders you need at all times during working hours and multiple sites, if applicable.

Ensure first aiders are trained by a competent provider. HSE

Ensure first-aid kits are adequately stocked and facilities such as a first-aid room (where necessary) are maintained. This must also be part of your assessment.

Communicate to staff who the qualified first aiders are in your workplace and their responsibilities.

Review and update your first aid provisions periodically, especially after incidents or when the size of your workforce changes or risk levels change.

Encourage first aiders to refresh their training to keep their skills updated with the latest training protocols.

Conclusion

We’d like to offer you, the employer, a definite answer when it comes to how many first aiders you need. Unfortunately, there is no magic number that fits all workplaces. The statutory duty is to provide adequate and appropriate first-aid arrangements under the First-Aid Regulations 1981, starting with a comprehensive first aid needs assessment for your workplace.

Use the guidance above to tailor your provision based on hazard, layout, and shift patterns of your workplace, and ensure above all you always have first aid cover.