Not every workplace needs a qualified first aider — but every workplace needs some form of first aid provision. The question is: what level is adequate for your situation?
Answer the questions below to find out what you need.
Do I need first aiders?
Takes about 2 minutes. Your answers help us give you specific guidance.
What type of workplace do you have?
Select the option that best describes your situation.
The short answer
You need qualified first aiders if:
- You have 25+ employees in a low-risk workplace (EFAW minimum)
- You have 5+ employees in a higher-risk workplace (FAW minimum)
- Your needs assessment identifies specific risks requiring trained first aiders
- You have shift work, multiple sites, or spread-out work areas
- Vulnerable people (children, elderly, disabled) are present
- Workers operate remotely or alone
- You're in a regulated sector (care homes, schools, childcare) with specific requirements
An appointed person may be sufficient if:
- Fewer than 25 employees in a very low-risk environment
- Small, compact workplace with employees working close together
- Close proximity to emergency medical services
- Your needs assessment confirms low risk and adequate alternative provision
However, even when an appointed person is technically sufficient, having qualified first aiders is strongly recommended.
The legal requirement
The Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981 don't specify exact numbers of first aiders. Instead, they require employers to provide "adequate and appropriate" first aid provision based on a needs assessment.
"Adequate" depends on your specific circumstances — workplace hazards, staff numbers, working patterns, and distance from emergency services. The law requires you to assess your needs, not just follow a formula.
Understanding the roles
First Aid at Work (FAW)
Training: 3 days (18 hours minimum)
What they can do:
- Comprehensive emergency first aid
- Assessment and treatment of injuries
- Management of serious conditions (fractures, burns, poisoning, etc.)
- CPR and AED use
Valid for: 3 years
Best for: Higher-risk workplaces, larger sites, remote locations, or when more comprehensive skills are needed.
Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW)
Training: 1 day (6 hours minimum)
What they can do:
- Basic emergency first aid
- CPR and AED use
- Management of unconscious casualties
- Treatment of minor injuries (cuts, burns, scalds)
- Shock and choking response
Valid for: 3 years
Best for: Low-risk workplaces, smaller businesses, or as a supplement to FAW provision.
Appointed person
Training: Basic awareness of role (not formal first aid training)
What they can do:
- Take charge when someone is injured or becomes ill
- Call an ambulance or emergency services
- Maintain first aid equipment
- Keep accident records
Important: An appointed person is NOT a first aider and should not attempt treatment beyond what any reasonable person might do.
Best for: Very low-risk, small workplaces as an absolute minimum, or as backup to qualified first aiders.
FAW vs EFAW: Which do you need?
Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW)
- •Low-hazard workplaces (offices, shops, libraries)
- •Smaller numbers of employees
- •Close to emergency medical services
- •Basic workplace first aid needs
- •Covers essential life-saving skills
- •More cost-effective and quicker to train
First Aid at Work (FAW)
Recommended- •Higher-hazard workplaces (manufacturing, construction, warehousing)
- •Larger workplaces or complex sites
- •Remote locations or far from medical help
- •Comprehensive injury and illness management
- •More in-depth training and confidence
- •Safer choice if you're uncertain
Bottom line: When in doubt, FAW is the better choice. Many low-risk employers choose FAW even when EFAW would meet minimum requirements, because it provides more comprehensive skills and confidence.
HSE guidance on numbers
While there's no fixed legal formula, the HSE provides starting-point recommendations:
Lower-hazard workplaces (offices, shops, libraries)
- Fewer than 25 employees: At least one appointed person
- 25-50 employees: At least one EFAW-trained first aider
- 50+ employees: One additional EFAW first aider for every 50 employees
Higher-hazard workplaces (manufacturing, construction, chemical work)
- Fewer than 5 employees: At least one appointed person
- 5-50 employees: At least one FAW-trained first aider
- 50+ employees: One additional FAW first aider for every 50 employees
These are starting points only. Your actual needs may be higher depending on shift patterns, site layout, lone workers, multiple locations, or specific hazards.
Special circumstances requiring more first aiders
Your needs assessment might reveal you need more first aiders than the baseline numbers suggest.
Multiple shifts
First aid cover must be available during all working hours. Each shift needs its own qualified first aider(s).
Example: A warehouse operating three 8-hour shifts needs at least one first aider per shift, so a minimum of three first aiders total.
Multiple sites or floors
Large or spread-out workplaces need first aiders distributed so help can reach casualties quickly.
Rule of thumb: First aid should be available within 2-3 minutes. If your site is large enough that a first aider couldn't reach any area within this time, you need more first aiders.
Lone workers and remote locations
Workers who operate alone or in remote areas may need:
- Personal first aid training (often FAW, so they can help themselves)
- Individual first aid kits
- Enhanced communication systems
- Regular check-in procedures
High staff turnover
If employees frequently leave, train extra first aiders to maintain adequate cover even when some leave.
Cover for absences
First aiders take holidays and sick leave. Train more first aiders than the bare minimum to ensure continuous cover.
Office expanded first aid provision after reviewing shift patterns
A 60-person office initially had two EFAW first aiders, thinking this met the requirement for their low-risk environment. A needs assessment revealed gaps in coverage.
- ✗Both first aiders worked standard office hours — no cover for early or late workers
- ✗Office spread across three floors — first aiders both sat on ground floor
- ✗One first aider frequently traveled for work, leaving only one on-site
- ✗During holiday periods, sometimes no first aider present
The company trained four additional first aiders: two on upper floors, one working early hours, and extras for cover. They also decided to train some to FAW standard for enhanced skills despite being low-risk.
Don't just count heads. Consider working patterns, building layout, and ensuring continuous availability. Having extra first aiders provides resilience and better coverage.
Factors to consider in your needs assessment
When determining how many first aiders you need, assess:
Your workplace hazards
- What could go wrong? (machinery, chemicals, slips, trips, manual handling)
- How serious could injuries be?
- Are there specific risks requiring specialist first aid skills?
Your workforce
- How many employees?
- Shift patterns? Out-of-hours working?
- Lone workers or remote sites?
- High staff turnover?
- Inexperienced workers or young employees?
- Vulnerable workers (pregnant, disabled, health conditions)?
Your workplace layout
- Single site or multiple locations?
- Multiple floors or separate buildings?
- How long would it take a first aider to reach the furthest point?
Distance to emergency services
- How long for an ambulance to arrive?
- Is your location remote or difficult to access?
- Do you have good mobile phone coverage?
Historical evidence
- What accidents have occurred?
- How often have employees needed first aid?
- What types of injuries are common?
First Aid Provision Planning Steps
Evaluate hazards, staff numbers, layout, and specific circumstances
Determine how many FAW, EFAW, or appointed persons you need
Choose willing volunteers and arrange approved training
Stock first aid kits and identify suitable treatment/rest areas
Display first aider names, locations, and how to get help
Reassess annually or when circumstances change
Training requirements
Certification validity
- FAW certificates — Valid for 3 years, then require full 3-day requalification
- EFAW certificates — Valid for 3 years, then require full 1-day requalification
- Annual refreshers — Not legally required, but strongly recommended to keep skills current
Choosing a training provider
Ensure your training provider is approved by a recognized organization:
- HSE-compliant training standards
- Accredited by bodies like Qualsafe, First Aid Awards, St John Ambulance, British Red Cross
- Check certificates meet minimum hours (FAW: 18 hours, EFAW: 6 hours)
- Training must include practical assessment
Some online or shortened courses don't meet legal workplace first aid requirements. Always verify the training meets HSE standards and includes hands-on practical assessment.
Tracking expiry dates
- Maintain a register of all first aiders with certificate expiry dates
- Set calendar reminders 3+ months before expiry to book requalification
- Training courses fill up, so book early
- Train additional first aiders to cover gaps during requalification
Specific sector requirements
Care homes (CQC-regulated)
- At least one qualified first aider on duty at all times
- First aiders should have training appropriate to residents' needs
- Enhanced monitoring and documentation expected
- CQC inspectors check first aid provision
Childcare and early years (Ofsted-regulated)
- Paediatric First Aid (PFA) required for staff caring for children under 5
- At least one PFA first aider must be on the premises whenever children are present
- PFA first aiders must accompany children on outings
- Minimum one PFA first aider per 50 children
Schools
- Sufficient first aiders for the size of the school and activities
- Paediatric first aid recommended for primary schools (mandatory for early years)
- Cover for sports, trips, after-school clubs
- Designated senior staff member to oversee provision
Construction sites (CDM Regulations)
- First aid provision must consider the site size, hazards, and number of workers
- FAW training typically required due to high-risk nature
- Additional first aiders for large sites or multiple work areas
- First aid room may be needed for larger sites (50+ workers)
Cover for non-employees
The law requires you to provide first aid for your employees. However, HSE recommends extending provision to:
- Contractors working on your premises
- Visitors and members of the public
- Temporary workers
- Volunteers
While not legally required for non-employees, extending your first aid provision to anyone on your premises is good practice and reduces legal risks if someone is injured.
Frequently asked questions
No. Being a first aider must be voluntary. You cannot force employees to train or act as first aiders. However, you can encourage participation, offer incentives (paid training time, recognition, small additional payment), and include first aid responsibilities in job descriptions for new hires (as long as candidates can decline without penalty).
There's no legal requirement to pay first aiders additional wages, but many employers offer a small payment, time off in lieu, or other recognition. Training should be provided free to employees and preferably during working hours.
This is why you should train more first aiders than the bare minimum. If you temporarily have no first aiders available, you must still provide adequate first aid provision — this might mean arranging cover from another site, temporarily appointing someone, or adjusting working patterns. Document your contingency plans.
It depends on the condition. First aiders need to be physically capable of performing the role (e.g., CPR requires physical exertion). Discuss with the individual and consider reasonable adjustments. Some conditions wouldn't prevent someone being a first aider, while others might.
First aiders acting in good faith within their training are generally protected from liability. As the employer, you're responsible for ensuring first aiders are properly trained and equipment is adequate. Liability usually arises from failing to provide adequate first aid provision, not from honest mistakes by trained first aiders.
Possibly. Your needs assessment should consider whether different parts of your workplace have different risk levels. You might need FAW first aiders in higher-risk areas (warehouse) and EFAW in lower-risk areas (office), or simply ensure first aiders are distributed to provide quick access throughout the site.
Look for employees who are: willing and interested, reliable and calm under pressure, good communicators, respected by colleagues, likely to be present during most working hours, and physically capable of performing first aid. Spread first aiders across different departments, shifts, and areas.
For some situations (large events, temporary projects), contracted first aid providers can supplement your provision. However, for ongoing workplace operations, you need in-house first aiders who are immediately available. Relying solely on external providers wouldn't meet your duty to provide adequate first aid.
You still need first aid provision. For very small, low-risk businesses, an appointed person and a basic first aid kit may be adequate. However, consider whether at least one of you should have EFAW or FAW training — it's a valuable skill and provides better protection.
Annual refresher training isn't legally required but is strongly recommended. First aid skills deteriorate without practice. Many employers arrange annual refresher sessions to keep first aiders' knowledge current and boost confidence. This is considered good practice.
Next steps
If you don't have adequate first aid provision
- Conduct a first aid needs assessment — or commission one from a health and safety professional
- Identify willing volunteers to train as first aiders
- Book approved training (FAW or EFAW as appropriate)
- Provide first aid equipment suitable for your workplace
- Inform all employees of the first aid arrangements
- Keep records of first aiders, training dates, and any first aid treatment given
If you already have first aiders
- Check certificate expiry dates and book requalification in advance
- Review whether your numbers are still adequate for current circumstances
- Consider whether shift patterns, site layout, or work activities have changed
- Ensure first aid equipment is well-stocked and accessible
- Maintain records of first aid incidents to inform future provision
Not sure how many first aiders you need or what level of training is appropriate? A health and safety consultant can assess your workplace and provide a compliant first aid provision plan.
Related articles:
- Workplace First Aid Requirements: A Complete Guide
- How to conduct a first aid needs assessment
- Choosing the right first aid training
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