Keeping your workplace compliant with first aid regulations is not just a matter of ticking boxes. It’s about protecting your employees and ensuring you’re prepared when accidents occur. Recent updates in guidance from the Health and Safety Executive have clarified several key areas that all UK employers need to understand.
Understanding Your Legal Obligations
Under the Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981, every employer must provide adequate first aid equipment, facilities, and personnel. What counts as “adequate” depends on your specific workplace, but the HSE has made it clear that this is a non-negotiable requirement. The regulations apply to all workplaces, regardless of size, and failing to comply can result in serious penalties.
Medical Personnel Availability
One of the most significant considerations is determining how many first aiders you need on site at any given time. The HSE recommends conducting a thorough needs assessment that considers your workforce size, the nature of your work activities, accident history, and the proximity of emergency services.
For low-risk offices, you might need only an appointed person to take charge during emergencies and manage first aid equipment. However, higher-risk workplaces require qualified first aiders. As a general guideline, low-risk businesses should have at least one first aider for every fifty employees, whilst high-risk settings may need one for every five workers.
Crucially, you must ensure cover for all working hours, including shift patterns and holiday periods. This means training additional personnel to guarantee someone qualified is always available. Remote workers and those working alone require special consideration, with appropriate arrangements made for their safety.
Trained First Aid Personnel Requirements
Your first aiders must hold valid certificates from HSE-approved training providers such as STS First Aid. There are three main qualification levels to consider:
Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW) is a one-day course suitable for low-risk workplaces. It covers basic emergency procedures and is valid for three years. Our “Emergency First Aid at Work 1 Day Training Course” is the ideal option to meet this standard.
First Aid at Work (FAW) is a more comprehensive three-day course required for higher-risk workplaces. This qualification is also valid for three years and covers a broader range of injuries and illnesses. STS’ “First Aid at Work Training Course” meets this requirement.
Appointed persons don’t need formal first aid training but should understand their role in emergency procedures and first aid kit management. It may however be appropriate to look at the list of STS First Aid training courses to decide if you should move beyond the bare minimum requirement.
Remember that certificates expire, so maintaining a training schedule is essential. First aiders must complete requalification training before their certificates lapse, and annual refresher training is strongly recommended to keep skills sharp. STS offer requalification courses to help you comply with the obligation to remain up to date.
Supply Maintenance Requirements
Your first aid kits must be stocked appropriately for your workplace needs. Whilst there is no mandatory list of items, the HSE recommends certain basics: a leaflet giving general guidance, individually wrapped sterile plasters, sterile eye pads, triangular bandages, safety pins, medium and large sterile wound dressings, and disposable gloves.
High-risk workplaces or those far from emergency services may need additional supplies. Consider including items like sterile water for eye irrigation, burn dressings, or face shields for CPR.
Importantly, you should not include medication in first aid kits. This includes aspirin and paracetamol. First aiders should never administer medication, even if an employee requests it.
First Aid Kit Inspection Protocols
Regular inspections are mandatory to ensure supplies remain adequate and in date. Appoint a responsible person to check each kit monthly, examining expiry dates, quantity levels, and the condition of sealed items.
Maintain a log of each inspection, noting the date, inspector’s name, and any actions taken. After any first aid incident, check and replenish the kit immediately.
Replace used or expired items promptly and review your kit contents annually to ensure they remain appropriate for your workplace needs. Following an accident or near-miss, consider whether your first aid provision was adequate or requires enhancement.
By maintaining rigorous standards across these four areas, you will not only meet your legal obligations but also create a genuinely safer workplace for everyone. Get in touch to learn more about our support for first aid training at work
