In short
Every employer must provide adequate and appropriate first aid equipment, facilities and people, under the Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981. As a minimum, that means a suitably stocked first aid kit, an appointed person to take charge of first aid arrangements, and information telling workers what the arrangements are. A short first aid needs assessment tells you whether you also need trained first-aiders, and how many.
Example
the cut in the loft
Ben and Ellie run a three-person electrical firm working in people's homes. They thought first aid only mattered on big sites, until their apprentice cut his hand badly in a loft and the only kit was a tin of plasters back at the unit. Afterwards they did a first aid needs assessment. Each van now carries a stocked kit, Ellie took an emergency first aid at work course, and a notice at the unit says who is in charge of first aid.
An illustrative example, not a real case.
What the law says
Under the Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981:
- Employers must provide adequate and appropriate equipment and facilities so first aid can be given to employees who are injured or become ill at work (regulation 3).
- Employers must provide enough suitable, trained people to give first aid or, where that is not needed, appoint a person to take charge of the arrangements (regulation 3).
- Employers must tell employees about the arrangements, including where the equipment, facilities and people are (regulation 4).
- Self-employed people covered by the Regulations must provide the equipment they need to give first aid to themselves (regulation 5).
Assess your first aid needs
HSE says you should consider:
- The type of work you do, its hazards and the likely risk of harm.
- How many people you employ, their work patterns, cover for absences and your accident history.
- Travelling, remote and lone workers, and how far your sites are from emergency medical services.
- Shared sites, and members of the public.
- Support for someone who may be experiencing a mental health issue.
Note: You do not have to write the assessment down, but HSE says a record shows how you decided on your arrangements.
First-aiders and appointed persons
Low hazard, such as an office: under 25 people
- HSE suggests at least
- One appointed person
Low hazard: 25 to 50 people
- HSE suggests at least
- One first-aider trained in emergency first aid at work (EFAW)
Low hazard: over 50 people
- HSE suggests at least
- One first-aider trained in first aid at work (FAW) for every 100 people, or part of 100
Higher hazard, such as construction: under 5 people
- HSE suggests at least
- One appointed person
Higher hazard: 5 to 50 people
- HSE suggests at least
- One first-aider trained in EFAW or FAW, depending on the likely injuries
Higher hazard: over 50 people
- HSE suggests at least
- One FAW first-aider for every 50 people, or part of 50
Note: These are HSE's suggestions from INDG214, not fixed rules. Allow extra cover for shifts, absences and spread-out sites.
Kits, remote workers and construction sites
- Stock kits to match your assessment. For low-hazard work, HSE suggests plasters, eye pads, bandages, safety pins, dressings, gloves and a first aid leaflet, but no tablets or medicines.
- Give workers who travel, work alone or work remotely a personal kit and a way to call for help, such as a mobile phone.
- For remote sites, tell the emergency services where you are in writing and plan how an injured person would get to hospital.
- On shared sites, employers can agree that one of them provides first aid cover for everyone. HSE strongly recommends a written agreement.
- On construction sites, the principal contractor must make sure a suitable site induction is provided (CDM 2015, regulation 13), and HSE guidance says it should cover first aid arrangements.
Common questions
Is it a legal requirement to have a first aider at work?
Not always. Every workplace needs at least a stocked kit, an appointed person and information for workers. Your needs assessment shows whether you also need trained first-aiders.
How long does a first aid at work certificate last?
HSE says first aid certificates, including FAW and EFAW, are valid for three years. HSE strongly recommends annual refresher training, but it is not mandatory.
Do we need a defibrillator at work?
Health and safety law does not require one. If your assessment leads you to provide one, PUWER applies, so give people instructions on how to use it.
Do I have to provide first aid for members of the public?
The First-Aid Regulations do not require it, but HSE strongly recommends including the public in your needs assessment and making provision for them.
How many first-aiders do I need?
Your first aid needs assessment decides: HSE says there are no hard and fast rules. As a guide, for a higher hazard workplace such as a construction site, HSE suggests an appointed person for under 5 people, at least one first-aider trained in emergency first aid at work (EFAW) or first aid at work (FAW) for 5 to 50, and over 50, one FAW first-aider for every 50 people or part of 50.
What is the difference between EFAW and FAW?
FAW covers everything in EFAW and more. Emergency first aid at work (EFAW) trains someone to give emergency first aid to a person who is injured or becomes ill at work. First aid at work (FAW) also covers first aid for a range of specific injuries and illnesses (HSE). Your needs assessment decides which you need.
Can a first-aider give paracetamol or other painkillers?
No. HSE says first aid at work does not include giving tablets or medicines to treat illness, and recommends not keeping them in the first aid kit. The exceptions are aspirin for a suspected heart attack, in line with accepted first aid practice, and certain life-saving medicines in an emergency, such as adrenaline for anaphylaxis. A first-aider can help someone take their own prescribed medicine.
What is an appointed person for first aid?
Someone who takes charge of first aid arrangements where your needs assessment shows a first-aider is not needed (regulation 3 of the First-Aid Regulations). They look after the equipment and facilities and call the emergency services when needed. HSE says they do not need first aid training, although emergency courses are available.
How NXT-HSE can help
NXT-HSE can help you carry out a first aid needs assessment and check your arrangements on site. Your legal duties stay with your business.
Sources
- Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981, regulation 3
- HSE: first aid at work
- HSE: First aid at work, your questions answered (INDG214)
- HSE: First aid at work, guidance on the Regulations (L74)
- HSE: first aid frequently asked questions
- HSE: Managing health and safety in construction (L153)
Sources checked 28 September 2026 against current Health and Safety Executive guidance and legislation. This guide is general information, not legal advice; your legal duties stay with your business.