First Aid: A Legal Duty for Every Employer
Under the Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981, every employer in the UK must provide adequate and appropriate first aid equipment, facilities and personnel so that employees can be given immediate help if they're injured or fall ill at work. This applies to every workplace, regardless of size — from a small office to a large industrial site.
What Counts as 'Adequate and Appropriate'?
There's no one-size-fits-all answer — what's adequate depends on a first aid needs assessment, which should consider:
- The nature of the work and the hazards involved
- The size of the organisation and number of employees
- The pattern of working hours, including shift work and remote or lone working
- The distance to the nearest emergency medical services
- Whether members of the public visit the premises
A small office is likely to need just a first aid kit and one appointed person. Larger or higher-risk workplaces — such as warehouses, factories or sites with shift patterns — typically need multiple trained first-aiders to ensure cover at all times, including during absences.
Appointed Persons vs First-Aiders
It's worth understanding the difference between these two roles:
- Appointed person — takes charge of first aid arrangements (such as looking after equipment and calling emergency services) but isn't required to hold a first aid qualification. Suitable for lower-risk workplaces.
- First-aider — has completed a recognised course such as Emergency First Aid at Work or First Aid at Work, and can provide hands-on first aid treatment.
Choosing the Right First Aid Course
The Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW) course is a one-day qualification suitable for lower-risk workplaces such as offices, shops and small retail environments. The First Aid at Work (FAW) course is a more comprehensive qualification, typically delivered over three days, and is recommended for higher-risk environments such as construction sites, warehouses and manufacturing. The First Aid at Work Re-qualification (FAWR) course allows existing FAW certificate holders to keep their qualification current. All qualifications are valid for three years.
For those working with children, the Paediatric First Aid course covers techniques adapted specifically for infants and young children, and is typically required for childminders and early years practitioners. Workplaces that have installed defibrillators should also ensure staff are trained through a Defibrillator (AED) training course.
Mental Health First Aid
Physical first aid addresses immediate injury — but workplace wellbeing also includes mental health. The Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) course trains people to recognise the signs of mental health issues and provide initial support, in the same way a physical first-aider would respond to a physical injury.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many first-aiders does my workplace need?
This depends on your first aid needs assessment, but as a guide, low-risk workplaces with fewer than 25 employees may only need one appointed person, while higher-risk workplaces or those with larger workforces typically need at least one trained first-aider, with additional cover to account for shifts, holidays and absences. Our First Aid Needs Assessment Tool works out the numbers and qualification levels for your workplace and produces a printable record.
How long is a first aid certificate valid for?
Emergency First Aid at Work and First Aid at Work certificates are both valid for three years from the date of the award, after which a requalification course is required.
What's the difference between EFAW and FAW?
EFAW is a one-day course covering the essentials — suitable for lower-risk workplaces. FAW is a longer, more in-depth course covering a wider range of injuries and illnesses, and is recommended for higher-risk environments.
Do I need to record first aid incidents?
Yes — keeping a record of any first aid treatment given helps you monitor accident trends, supports any future investigations, and may be required for reporting under RIDDOR if the incident meets the relevant criteria.
Related Courses
- Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW)
- First Aid at Work (FAW)
- First Aid at Work Re-qualification (FAWR)
- Paediatric First Aid
- Defibrillator (AED) Training
- Mental Health First Aid (MHFA)
- All First Aid courses