In the UK, it’s a legal requirement for employers to provide "adequate and appropriate" first-aid provision in the workplace, under the Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981. This includes businesses with fewer than 5 employees and the self-employed.
While first aid training itself is not always mandatory, HSE guidance requires employers to undertake a first aid needs assessment to determine whether trained first aiders are required and the appropriate level of training, first aid facilities and equipment.
For small, low-risk workplaces, an “appointed person” without formal training may be adequate, but for larger organisations, the first aid needs assessment may identify that multiple trained first aiders are required.
The first aid needs assessment should also identify whether a 1-day Emergency First Aid at Work or a 3-day First Aid at Work training course is most appropriate.
Harry Pandia specialises in workplace compliance training and co-founded First Aid Safety to help businesses meet UK health and safety standards. He reminds organisations that:
“First aid provision should reflect the real world of their workplace.
The right provision starts with understanding your risks and planning for them accordingly.”
This guide explains whether first aid training is a legal requirement in the UK and when employers must provide trained first aiders. Keep reading for a more detailed explanation of employers' legal responsibilities to provide adequate first aid provision in the workplace.
Is First Aid Training Mandatory in the Workplace?
“Employers must make sure employees get immediate help if taken ill or injured at work.”
HSE legislation states:
“In the event of injury or sudden illness, failure to provide first aid could result in a
casualty's death. The employer should ensure that an employee who is injured or taken
ill at work receives immediate attention. HSE will prosecute in cases where there is a significant risk, a disregard for established standards or persistent poor compliance with the law.”
At a minimum, there must be an “appointed person” in the workplace who is in charge of first aid arrangements. This person is not required to have any formal training, but needs to be responsible for looking after the first aid equipment, facilities and calling emergency services if there’s an incident.
There may be more than one “appointed person” in a workplace to ensure adequate coverage during absence or illness. Many UK employers choose to provide first aid training even when it is not mandatory, as good practice and to reduce workplace risk.
Every workplace should undertake a first aid needs assessment to determine whether an “appointed person” is sufficient, or whether trained first aiders are required.
How Your First Aid Needs Assessment Determine the Level of Training Required?
A first aid needs assessment (also called a first aid risk assessment) determines the level of first aid training required (if any) by analysing workplace hazards, workforce size and previous incidents.
The law only provides guidance and does not specify a set number of trained first aiders for different workplaces.
For low-risk workplaces (such as offices, supermarkets or retail stores), HSE guidance suggests the following minimum provision:
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Fewer than 25 employees |
At least one appointed person is responsible for first-aid arrangements (e.g. calling for an ambulance) |
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Between 25 and 50 employees |
At least one person trained in an Emergency First Aid at Work course (EFAW) |
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More than 50 employees |
At least one person trained in the First Aid at Work course (FAW) for every 100 employees (or part thereof) |
For high-risk workplaces (such as factories, construction sites or engineering premises), HSE guidance suggests the following minimum provision:
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Fewer than 5 employees |
At least one appointed person is responsible for first-aid arrangements (e.g. calling for an ambulance) |
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Between 5 and 50 employees |
|
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More than 50 employees |
At least one FAW-trained first aider for every 50 employees (or part thereof) |
Common Workplace Scenarios
The examples below reflect the kind of real-life incidents we've heard from customers across different workplace settings, showing why suitable first aid provision matters in practice.
Low-Risk Workplace Scenario: Office Collapse During a Normal Working Day
In a typical office environment, the overall risk profile may be low, but first aid incidents can still happen without warning. A member of staff suddenly becomes light-headed, falls, and strikes their head on the edge of a desk.
Colleagues gather quickly, unsure who is responsible for responding and where the first aid equipment is kept. What appeared to be a routine working day has now become a situation requiring prompt assessment, reassurance, and access to the correct first aid provision.
This is exactly why even low-risk workplaces must consider their minimum first aid arrangements carefully. The lower likelihood of serious injury does not remove the duty to provide appropriate equipment, facilities, and personnel to deal with an incident when it occurs.
High-Risk Workplace Scenario: Serious Injury in a Hazardous Working Environment
In a high-risk workplace such as a construction site, warehouse, or manufacturing, the consequences of an incident can be more immediate and more severe. A worker slips while handling equipment and sustains a deep laceration to the arm.
The injury is serious, blood loss is visible, and the scene itself presents additional hazards that must be managed while first aid is delivered. In those first moments, there is no time for uncertainty over who should respond or whether the available provision is adequate.
In higher-risk environments, minimum first aid provision should reflect the nature of the hazards, the severity of potential injuries, and the need for a rapid, competent response.
Appropriate planning is not simply good practice. It forms part of an employer’s wider responsibility to protect staff and respond effectively when something goes wrong.
The First Aid Safety team would be happy to discuss your workplace first aid requirements and share the best practices for conducting a first aid needs assessment. Speak to our team today.
Other Workplace First Aid Requirements
In addition to providing an “appointed person” responsible for first aid arrangements, the HSE guidance also requires workplaces to provide at a minimum:
A suitably stocked first-aid kit
Information for all employees on workplace first aid arrangements
When Is First Aid Training Mandatory?
Put simply, first aid training becomes mandatory when a workplace first aid needs assessment identifies that trained first aiders are required. Employers are obliged to provide FAW or EFAW trained staff based on the size of the workforce - 1 trained first aider per 5-50 members of staff is suggested as a guideline.
Situations where workplace first aid training is likely to be mandatory include high-risk workplaces, large organisations and early years settings.
High-Risk Workplaces
High-risk workplaces include:
Construction
Manufacturing
Warehousing
Industrial environments
Such workplaces are much more likely to require first aiders due to the increased likelihood of injuries and a greater range of hazards.
Your workplace first aid needs assessment may also identify that you need First Aid at Work trained members of staff (a comprehensive alternative to Emergency First Aid at Work training) if your organisation is large or there are significant hazards identified.
Large Organisations
The larger the workplace, the more trained first aiders may be required. Your first aid needs assessment should identify how many trained staff are required, taking into account shift patterns, holidays and other absences to ensure your workplace always has first aid cover.
Early Years Settings
Appropriate first aid training is mandatory in Early Years (EYFS) settings in England for staff, childminders and childcare assistants, based on the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) statutory framework.
At least one qualified first aider who has completed a compliant Paediatric First Aid course must be present whenever children are on site. For larger childcare settings, multiple Paediatric First Aid-trained staff may be required, as identified by the first aid needs assessment.
First Aid Safety’s 2-day Paediatric First Aid course is fully compliant with the Ofsted requirements for early years and childcare settings and covers the criteria in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Practice Guidance.
Is First Aid Training Compulsory for Employers?
Under the Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981, UK employers must provide appropriate and adequate first aid provision.
Legal Requirements for Workplace First Aid in the UK
First aid needs assessment - all employers must conduct a comprehensive first aid risk assessment to assess hazards and workforce size, and determine the number of first aiders required and the most appropriate level of training.
“Appointed Person” or trained first aider - based on this needs assessment, employers must ensure that at a minimum, there is one “appointed person” to manage first aid facilities, equipment, and call emergency services. There may need to be more than one “appointed person” to ensure full coverage. If your workplace requires trained first aiders, certificates should be kept up to date with regular refresher courses.
A suitably stocked first aid kit - an easily accessible and well-stocked first aid kit should be provided. While HSE provides guidance on what to include, the content of your first aid kit should be based on your first aid needs assessment.
Information for all employees giving details of first-aid arrangements - employers must provide details of the workplace first aid provision, including the location of the first aid kit and equipment, and the names of trained staff or appointed people.
Detailed guidance for employers on providing adequate workplace first aid provision is available from HSE here: First Aid at Work Guidance on regulations
Benefits of First Aid Training in the Workplace
Workplace first aid training not only ensures compliance with Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981 and HSE guidance, but it also:
Improves workplace safety and reduces risk
Leads to faster emergency response times
Boosts employee morale and ensures they feel confident in emergencies
Lowers the risk of compensation claims as a result of workplace incidents
Helps improve teamwork and collaboration in challenging first aid situations
Read more about the benefits of workplace first aid training in our blog, ‘Why Is First Aid Training Important In The Workplace?‘
“Early CPR and defibrillation can more than
double the chances of survival”
In-House First Aid Training from First Aid Safety
The team at First Aid Safety provides a range of HSE-compliant workplace first aid courses, including:
Our regulated first aid course certificates are valid for three years and accredited by Qualifications Network UK. All training courses are delivered in-house, at your business or workplace, covering London and the UK.
To learn more about our workplace first aid courses or to book a training course, get in touch with our team today.
For additional guidance and practical insight, you may also find the following articles useful:
Let's help you find the right first aid course for your workplace.
First aid training FAQs
If a workplace doesn’t have a trained first aider, it risks violating the Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981. This could result in several serious consequences, including:
Legal prosecution by the HSE
Fines issued by the HSE
Potentially fatal delays in emergency care
Reputational damage
A first aid needs assessment is essential for determining the level of training required for your workplace - for some low-risk organisations, an “appointed person” with no formal training may be adequate.
First aid training should typically be provided to employees who are responsible for responding to workplace emergencies. This often includes:
Supervisors and team leaders
Health and safety officers
HR staff
Designated workplace first aider
In large or high-risk workplaces, multiple trained first aiders might be required to ensure adequate coverage, for example, in the event that the trained first aider is on holiday or off sick.
The number of employees who need first aid training depends on a workplace first aid needs assessment. Factors that influence this include:
The level of workplace risk
The industry and type of work
The number of employees
Shift patterns and working hours
The layout and size of the workplace
Any workers with special health needs or disabilities
Distance from emergency medical services
Once you’ve completed your first aid needs assessment, you can determine the level of first-aid provisions required for your place of work, for example, the level of training required (1-day or 3-day trained first aiders).
For more information, read our blog, ‘How many employees need to be first aid trained?’.
Employers cannot legally force an employee to undertake first aid training, but they can request volunteers or assign first aid responsibilities as part of certain roles.
Some roles, particularly those involving health and safety responsibilities, may reasonably require employees to complete first aid training as part of their job duties.
If the workplace first aid needs assessment finds it necessary for you to be first aid trained, this is also classed as a reasonable request and completing first aid training can be made a part of your job role.
Any workplace first aid training must be paid for by your employer and undertaken during working hours.
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