First Aid

In the event of injury or sudden illness, failure to provide first aid could result in that person’s death. The employer should therefore ensure that an employee who is injured or taken ill at work receives immediate attention.

We run several first aid courses, which one is right for you will depend on your individual circumstances. On this page we have tried to answer the common questions we are asked. For further details please click on a link below:

View Open Course Dates and Availability

Courses

Frequently Asked Questions

What are my legal duties as an employer?
What is a first aider?
What is an appointed person?
What level of first aid cover do I need?
Are these courses HSE approved?
Can legal action be taken against first aiders?
Do I need to make first aid provision for members of the public?
What are the requirements for first aid in schools?
What are the requirements for travelling, remote and lone workers?
Where can I get further information?

1. What are my legal duties as an employer?

The Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981 require employers to provide adequate and appropriate equipment, facilities and personnel to enable first aid to be given to employees if they are injured or become ill at work. These Regulations apply to all workplaces including those with five or fewer employees and to the self-employed. What is adequate will depend on the circumstances in the workplace. This includes whether trained first aiders are needed, what should be included in a first aid box and if a first aid room is needed. Employers should carry out an assessment of first aid needs to determine this.

2. What is a first aider?

A first aider is someone who holds a current 'first aid at work' certificate issued by an HSE approved training organisation. Training lasts at least 24 hours, usually held over four days or spread over several weeks. First aid at work certificates are valid for three years. Requalification courses are of at least 12 hours training and are normally held over two days.

3. What is an appointed person?

When an employer’s first aid needs assessment identifies that a first aider is not necessary, the minimum requirement is to appoint a person to take charge when someone is injured or ill, including calling an ambulance if required, and to look after the first aid equipment, eg restocking the first aid box. Appointed persons should not attempt to give first aid for which they have not been trained.

4. What level of first aid cover do I need?

The following table gives HSE's suggested numbers of first aid personnel, which are to be available at all times people are at work, based on assessments of risk and numbers of workers. Where there are special circumstances, such as remoteness from emergency medical services, shiftwork, or sites with several separate buildings, there may need to be more first aid personnel than set out below. Increased provision will be necessary to cover for absences.

Category of risk	Numbers employed at any location	Suggested number of first aid personnel
Lower risk eg shops, offices, libraries	Fewer than 50	At least one appointed person
	50-100	At Least one first aider
	More than 100	One additional first aider for every 100 employed
Medium risk eg light engineering and assembly work, food processing, warehousing	Fewer than 20	At least one appointed person
	20-100	At Least one first aider for every 50 employed (or part thereof)
	More than 100	One additional first aider for every 100 employed
Higher risk eg most construction, slaughterhouse, chemical manufacture, extensive work with dangerous machinery or sharp instruments	Fewer than 5	At least one appointed person
	5-50	At Least one first aider
	More than 50	One additional first aider for every 50 employed
	Where there are hazards for which additional first aid skills are necessary	In addition, at least one first aider trained in the specific emergency action

5. Are these courses HSE approved?

The First Aid at Work courses that we run are approved by The First Aid Approval and Monitoring Section (FAAMS) of HSE’s Corporate Medical Unit. This is a statutory requirement for organisations wishing to provide first aider training.

6. Can legal action be taken against first aiders?

It is very unlikely that any action would be taken against a first aider who was using the first aid training they have received. HSE cannot give any specific advice on this issue as it has no expertise in this area and it does not fall within HSE’s statutory powers. Should you be concerned it is recommended that you seek legal advice, or advice from your employer’s insurance brokers on whether their policies cover first aiders’ liability.

7. Do I need to make first aid provision for members of the public?

The Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981 do not oblige employers to provide first aid for members of the public. However, many organisations provide a service for others, for example places of entertainment, fairgrounds and shops, and HSE strongly recommends that employers include the public and others on their premises when making their assessment of first aid needs.

8. What are the requirements for first aid in schools?

Employers are responsible for the provision of appropriate first aid equipment and facilities and trained first aiders in respect of their employees – this includes schools, as they are workplaces. However, the Regulations do not oblige employers to provide first aid for anyone else. Nevertheless, HSE strongly encourages employers to consider others when carrying out their assessment of first aid needs and to make provision for them. The Department for Education and Skills (DfES) has produced a booklet: Guidance on First Aid for Schools.

9. What are the requirements for travelling, remote and lone workers?

Employers are responsible for meeting the first aid needs of their employees working away from the main site. Employers’ assessment of first aid needs should determine whether those who travel long distances or are continuously mobile should carry a personal first aid box, whether special arrangements need to be made for employees who work in remote areas and whether to provide other means of summoning help, such as a mobile phone, for employees who work alone.

10. Where can I get further information?

HSE have a page dedicated to first aid - www.hse.gov.uk/firstaid - and have produced a booklet: First Aid at Work - Your Questions Answered.