Number of first aiders required
An employer has a legal responsibility to provide adequate first aid cover to protect their employees and visitors and should conduct a first aid needs assessment. The assessment will identify the number of first aiders and the first aid equipment required.
The assessment should consider factors such as:
- Size of the organisation
- Number of employees
- Visitors and contractors
- History of accidents and illnesses
- Distribution of the workforce, shift patterns and travelling arrangements
- Special considerations, such as pregnant workers, disabilities, etc
- Cover for first aiders due to holidays and sickness
- Types of machinery or chemicals onsite
- Lone workers
- Employees who travel to various sites
Suggested number of first aiders
The Health and Safety Executive created the table below to assist employers to determine the number of first aiders required. Additional information can be found in the HSE L74 guidance.
