First Aid Guru

Episode 2 of 14 · 3 min read

First Aid Law in the UK Workplace

UK law puts a duty on employers to keep people safe at work, and that includes first aid provision. Three pieces of legislation matter: the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, and the Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981.

The three laws to know

  1. 1

    Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.

    The foundation. It places a responsibility on employers, employees, contractors and the self-employed to do everything so far as reasonably practicable to keep people safe at work.

  2. 2

    Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999.

    Makes the 1974 Act more explicit about how employers comply, including the duty to carry out risk assessments.

  3. 3

    Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981.

    The first aid specific regulations. They require employers to assess their first aid needs and provide adequate equipment, facilities and trained people.

Your first aid risk assessment

The starting point for any workplace, and one of the first things a new business should do, is a first aid needs assessment. It decides how many first aiders and first aid kits you need.

  • How many staff work on site, and across how many floors or buildings?
  • Do customers or visitors come into the workplace?
  • What activities happen there, and how hazardous are they?
  • How large is the workspace, and could distance delay treatment?

Where to check the detail

The HSE (Health and Safety Executive) publishes all the regulations and guidance on gov.uk and hse.gov.uk, including how to work out the number of first aiders your workplace needs.

Common questions

How many first aiders does my workplace need?

It depends on your first aid needs assessment: headcount, the hazards of the work, the size and layout of the site, and whether the public visit. The HSE publishes guidance ratios as a starting point.

Is workplace first aid training a legal requirement in the UK?

Employers must provide adequate and appropriate first aid provision under the Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981. For most workplaces that means at least one trained first aider or appointed person.

Related skills

Responsibilities & KitWhat is First Aid?

Go beyond reading

Skills stick when you practise them

A certified course puts these skills in your hands: real CPR practice, real feedback, a recognised certificate for work. One-day Emergency First Aid at Work courses run across the UK.

Find a certified course

First Aid Guru guides support learning and refreshing your knowledge. They are not a substitute for regulated, hands-on first aid training or for professional medical advice. In an emergency call 999 (UK) and follow the call handler's instructions.