Legal duties

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.  Detailed information can be found in the Approved Code of Practice and Guidance: First Aid at Work.  The Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981 L74.

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.

The Regulations do not place a legal obligation on employers to make first aid provision for non-employees such as the public or children in schools.  However, HSE strongly recommends that non-employees are included in a first aid needs assessment and that provision is made for them.  An update on this topic is available on the 'What's new' page.

Assessment of first aid needs

Employers are required to carry out an assessment of first aid needs.  This involves consideration of workplace hazards and risks, the size of the organisation and other relevant factors, to determine what first aid equipment, facilities and personnel should be provided.

The following table offers guidance to minimum levels of First Aid cover but is no replacement for a thorough risk assessment.