Do You Have the Right Number of First Aiders in Your Workplace?
When an accident or medical emergency happens at work, having trained first aiders on site can make all the difference. But how do you know if your business has the right level of first aid provision?
Under the Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981, employers have a legal duty to provide adequate and appropriate first aid equipment, facilities and personnel to ensure employees receive immediate attention if they are injured or become ill at work.
Is There a Legal Requirement?
There isn't a set number of first aiders that every workplace must have. Instead, employers are required to carry out a first aid needs assessment to determine what is appropriate for their business.
Your assessment should consider factors such as:
The size of your workforce.
The nature of your work and the level of risk involved.
Your workplace layout and whether employees work across multiple sites.
Shift patterns and holiday cover.
Lone workers or remote workers.
The history of workplace accidents and incidents.
The proximity of emergency medical services.
A low-risk office with a small team may require fewer trained first aiders than a busy construction site or warehouse where the risk of injury is significantly higher.
Don't Forget Absences
One of the most common mistakes businesses make is only training the minimum number of first aiders.
What happens if your designated first aider is on annual leave, off sick or attending training elsewhere?
It's good practice to have enough trained personnel to ensure first aid cover is available at all times during working hours.
Emergency First Aid at Work vs First Aid at Work
There are different levels of first aid training depending on your workplace needs.
Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW) is a one-day course designed for lower-risk workplaces and equips delegates to deal with common workplace emergencies.
First Aid at Work (FAW) is a more comprehensive three-day qualification, often recommended for higher-risk environments or larger organisations where a broader range of first aid knowledge is required.
Choosing the right course should form part of your first aid needs assessment.
Review Your First Aid Arrangements Regularly
Your first aid provision shouldn't remain static. It's important to review your arrangements whenever there are significant changes, such as:
Recruiting more employees.
Moving to new premises.
Introducing new equipment or processes.
Changes to shift patterns.
Following a serious incident or near miss.
Regular reviews help ensure your first aid arrangements remain suitable as your business evolves.
How We Can Help
Whether you're reviewing your first aid provision for the first time or looking to refresh existing qualifications, we offer accredited first aid training to help businesses meet their legal responsibilities and ensure staff are prepared to respond in an emergency.
If you're unsure whether you have the right number of first aiders, our team can also help you carry out a first aid needs assessment and recommend the most appropriate level of training for your workplace.
Get in Touch
Not sure if your workplace has adequate first aid cover? Contact us today to discuss your requirements or book your next first aid training course.