You must have appropriate first-aid arrangements in your workplace. Consider what health and safety risks may be present and use our first-aid needs assessment tool to help you decide what arrangements you need to put in place.
Most small low-risk workplaces need only a first-aid box and a person appointed to take charge of first-aid arrangements such as calling the emergency services and stocking the first-aid box. The appointed person does not need specific first-aid training. You must provide all your employees with details of the first-aid arrangements.
If your workplace has more significant health and safety risks, for example you use machinery or hazardous materials then you are more likely to need a trained first-aider.
You are responsible for making sure that your employees receive immediate attention if they are taken ill or are injured at work. Accidents and illness can happen at any time and first aid can save lives and prevent minor injuries from becoming major ones.
Your arrangements will depend on the particular circumstances in your workplace and the outcomes of your first-aid needs assessment.
As a minimum, you must have:
You might decide that you need a first-aider. This is someone who has been trained by an approved organisation and holds a qualification in first aid at work or emergency first aid at work. If you have identified that you need first-aiders, we've provided information on the requirements for training them. You can also view our list of HSE approved training providers.
More detailed information can be found in our leaflet First aid at work: Your questions answered.
Under health and safety law, you must report and keep a record of certain injuries, incidents and cases of work-related disease.
You can find out which ones must be reported and how to report them on our report an incident pages.
Keeping records will help you to identify patterns of accidents and injuries, and will help when completing your risk assessment. Your insurance company may also want to see your records if there is a work-related claim.
Make sure you protect people's personal details by storing records confidentially in a secure place.
An independent review of health and safety legislation by Professor Ragnar E Löfstedt recommended changes to the Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981 and revised guidance on the regulations to help businesses.
The review also recommended a review of the First Aid Approved Code of Practice (ACoP) and the removal of specific requirements placed on the self-employed.
Changes will soon be made to first aid regulations and guidance.
To support implementation of the changes, information is currently being gathered from businesses and individuals involved in procuring and providing first aid training.
Please complete this short survey to provide details of your knowledge and/or experience.
Social media
Javascript is required to use HSE website social media functionality.
Follow HSE on Twitter:
Follow @H_S_E