Employers in the UK have a legal duty to make sure staff can get immediate help if they are injured or fall ill at work. But what exactly does the law require and what does the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) recommend?

The Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981 set the framework, and HSE provides detailed guidance through L74: First Aid at Work – Guidance on Regulations and  INDG214: First Aid at Work – Your Questions Answered.

This article explains what’s mandatory, what’s guidance, and how to keep your workplace safe and compliant.

What the Law Requires

Under the regulations, every employer must provide:

• A suitably stocked first-aid kit.
• Facilities and trained personnel to give immediate help.
• Information for employees about the arrangements in place.

The law uses the phrase “adequate and appropriate”, meaning there is no fixed national list. Each employer must assess their own workplace risks to decide what’s suitable.

The First Aid Needs Assessment

HSE requires employers to carry out a First Aid Needs Assessment considering:

• Workplace hazards (e.g. machinery, chemicals, manual handling).
• Number of employees.
• Shift patterns and lone working.
• Size and layout of the premises.
• Distance to emergency medical help.
• Accident history.

This assessment determines how many first aiders you need, their training level, and the equipment required.

Suggested Numbers of First Aiders

Although there’s no legal formula, HSE provides general guidance in INDG214:

• Low-hazard workplaces (e.g. offices, shops):
• ~Fewer than 25 staff → At least one appointed person.
• ~25–50 staff → At least one Emergency First Aider (EFAW).
• ~50+ staff → At least one First Aider (FAW) per 100 people (or part thereof).
• Higher-hazard workplaces (e.g. construction, warehouses, manufacturing):
• ~Fewer than 5 staff → At least one appointed person.
• ~5–50 staff → At least one Emergency First Aider or First Aider (depending on risks).
• ~50+ staff → At least one First Aider (FAW) per 50 people (or part thereof).

⚠️ Important: These figures are guidance only. HSE notes:
“Following the guidance is not compulsory, unless specifically stated, and you are free to take other action. But if you do follow the guidance you will normally be doing enough to comply with the law.” (L74, HSE)

Training Requirements

HSE recognises two main levels of training:

• Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW):
  A 1-day course covering life-threatening emergencies such as CPR, choking, severe bleeding, and shock.
• First Aid at Work (FAW):
  A 3-day course covering all EFAW topics plus additional illnesses and injuries relevant to higher-risk workplaces.

Which one you need depends on your needs assessment.

First Aid Kits and Facilities

Employers must provide a “suitably stocked first-aid kit” .

HSE does not prescribe a fixed list, but INDG214 suggests a minimum for low-risk workplaces:

• A leaflet with first-aid guidance.
• Assorted sterile plasters.
• Sterile eye pads.
• Triangular bandages.
• Safety pins.
• Large and medium sterile wound dressings.
• Disposable gloves .

HSE emphasises this is a suggested list only, your kit must reflect the hazards in your workplace. Higher-risk sites may require burn dressings, eye wash stations, or additional items.

The British Standard BS 8599-1 also defines workplace first aid kit contents, often used as a best-practice benchmark.

Informing Employees

It’s not enough to have trained people and stocked kits. Employers are legally required to inform employees of the first aid arrangements .

This includes:

• Who the first aiders or appointed persons are.
• Where first aid kits and facilities are located.
• How to summon help in an emergency.

HSE recommends using posters, signs, and induction training to ensure staff know what to do.

Why Compliance Matters

Meeting HSE’s requirements isn’t just about avoiding penalties. Proper first aid provision can:

• Save lives and reduce injury severity.
• Prevent minor incidents from becoming major.
• Reassure employees and improve workplace morale.

As HSE explains: “If you do follow the guidance you will normally be doing enough to comply with the law.” (L74)

Final Thoughts

Workplace first aid provision in the UK is flexible because every business is different. By carrying out a proper needs assessment, following HSE’s benchmarks, and tailoring your training and equipment to your risks, you can protect your staff and stay compliant.

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