First Aid Needs Assessment Tool
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How many first aiders does your workplace actually need — and at what level? The Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981 require every employer to make ‘adequate and appropriate’ provision, but they don’t give you a number. You’re left to work it out. This tool does that work for you.
Answer a few plain questions about your workplace — how many people are on site, the risk level, shift patterns, lone workers, whether you care for under-5s — and it applies the HSE framework to produce a clear, defensible recommendation: how many first aiders you need, whether they should hold Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW) or First Aid at Work (FAW), and what else to consider. Then it gives you a printable record to file as evidence that the assessment was done.
It’s a self-contained file that runs in any web browser. Nothing to install, no account, no subscription, no internet connection needed once downloaded. Yours to keep and re-run whenever your staffing, sites or activities change.
What it does
- Calculates your minimum first-aider numbers using the HSE risk-and-headcount framework
- Tells you whether EFAW or FAW training is the right level for your result
- Flags the factors that should push your provision higher — shifts, multiple sites, lone workers, public access, vulnerable staff, accident history
- Handles the ‘what if your first aider is off sick?’ continuity gap that catches most small employers out
- Identifies a separate paediatric first aid duty for early-years settings caring for under-5s
- Recommends defibrillator (AED) training where it adds value, and flags mental health first aid as good practice to consider
- Reminds you when certificates need renewing, with the right re-qualification or refresher course
- Produces a dated, printable assessment record with a built-in 12-month review date
- Points you to the right training once you know what you need
Who it’s for
Office managers, site managers, HR leads, small-business owners, facilities and compliance staff — anyone who has to answer ‘are we covered for first aid?’ and wants a straight answer plus a record to prove it, rather than wading through guidance leaflets.
How you get it
Instant digital download after purchase. A single HTML file — open it in any browser on a PC, Mac, tablet or phone. No software, no sign-up.
Frequently asked questions
Is this a substitute for a professional first aid needs assessment?
It’s a structured aid that applies the HSE framework to your answers and gives you a defensible starting point and a printable record. The final decision on what’s ‘adequate and appropriate’ rests with you as the employer. For complex, high-hazard or multi-site workplaces, we’d recommend having your completed assessment reviewed by a competent health and safety professional.
Is it based on official guidance?
Yes. The logic follows Health and Safety Executive (HSE) guidance under the Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981, including the risk-level and headcount thresholds and the EFAW/FAW training distinction. It is not endorsed by or affiliated with the HSE or any other body — it’s an independent tool built on published guidance.
Do I need to install anything or be online to use it?
No. It’s a single self-contained file that runs in any modern web browser. Once downloaded it works completely offline, with no software, account or subscription.
Can I re-use it for more than one site?
Yes. Run it as many times as you like, for as many sites or areas as you need. HSE guidance recommends assessing distinct areas separately — for example an office and an attached workshop — and the tool is built to be re-run for each.
Which first aid courses does it cover?
Workplace first aider numbers (EFAW and FAW) are the core of the assessment. Alongside that, the tool surfaces the wider range as it becomes relevant: defibrillator (AED) training where it adds value, paediatric first aid for early-years settings caring for under-5s, and mental health first aid as good practice to consider. It also reminds you about keeping certificates valid, pointing to the right requalification (FAWR) or refresher (EFAWR) course, and links through to each.
Important. This is an assessment aid, not legal advice and not a guarantee of compliance. It helps you carry out and document your own assessment; it does not replace a suitable and sufficient risk assessment or professional advice. Outputs are indicative only and should be checked by a competent person. These tools are the property of drewmitchell.co.uk and are licensed for your own use; they may not be resold or redistributed.
This tool is part of a growing range of practical health & safety templates and tools — built to do the work for you, not hand you a blank form. Each one is an instant download that runs offline on any device, with no account or subscription. Browse all Health & Safety Templates & Tools.
You will instantly receive a confirmation email with your order details and your digital download will follow instantly.
These templates and tools are provided as general aids to help you organise and document your own health and safety arrangements. They are not legal, professional, or safety advice, and they do not guarantee compliance with any law, regulation, or standard.
You are responsible for deciding whether a template or tool is suitable for your specific workplace, activities, and circumstances, and for completing, adapting, and acting on it using competent judgment. Where the law requires a competent person, a formal assessment, or professional advice, you should obtain it.
Where a tool performs calculations or produces figures, ratings, action levels, or other results, those outputs are based on the information you enter and on general guidance, and are indicative only. They are not a site-specific assessment and must be independently checked by a competent person before you rely on or act on them.
Interactive tools run entirely in your browser; they do not store or transmit the data you enter.
These templates and tools are the property of drewmitchell.co.uk. They are licensed for your own use and may not be resold, redistributed, or republished without permission.
drewmitchell.co.uk accepts no liability for any loss, injury, damage, or non-compliance arising from the use of, or reliance on, these materials. Use is entirely at your own risk.