Abacus Training Centre Ltd

Suggested minimum number of first aiders

The table below gives the suggested minimum first aid provision given by the HSE.

1 From your risk assessment, what degree of hazard is associated with your work activities? 2 How many employees do you have? 3 What first-aid personnel do you need?
Low hazardeg offices, shops, libraries  Less than 25 At least one appointed person
25-50 At least one first-aider trained in EFAW
More than 50 At least one first-aider trained in FAW for every 100 employed (or part thereof)
Higher hazardeg light engineering and assembly work, food processing, warehousing, extensive work with dangerous machinery or sharp instruments, construction, chemical manufacture Less than 5 At least one appointed person
5-50 At least one first-aider trained in EFAW or FAW depending on the type of injuries that might occur
More than 50 At least one first-aider trained in FAW for every 50 employed (or part thereof)

They also say that you should make due consideration of the following points.

Point to consider Impact on first-aid provision
Are the premises spread out, eg are there several buildings on the site or multi-floor buildings? You should consider provision in each building or on each floor.
Is your workplace remote from emergency medical services? You should:

  • inform the emergency services of your location;
  • consider special arrangements with the emergency services.
Do any of your employees work at sites occupied by other employers? You should make arrangements with other site occupiers to ensure adequate first-aid provision. A written agreement between employers is strongly recommended.
Do you have enough provision to cover for your first-aiders or appointed persons when they are absent? You should consider:

  • what cover is needed for annual leave and other planned absences;
  • what cover is needed for unplanned and exceptional absences.
Non-employees – Do members of the public visit your premises? Under the Regulations, you have no legal duty to provide first aid for non-employees, but HSE strongly recommends that you include them in your first-aid provision.

You may not need to provide first aid cover to non-employees, but think of the company name and image in the press if you don’t. Particular if you are in the service sector!