First-Aid at Work

Employers’ legal duties

The Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981 (amended 2018) require employers to provide adequate and appropriate equipment, facilities and personnel to ensure their employees receive immediate attention if they are injured or taken ill at work. These Regulations apply to all workplaces including those with less than five employees and to the self-employed. Detailed information can be found in First aid at work. The Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981. Approved Code of Practice and Guidance.

What is ‘adequate and appropriate’ will depend on the circumstances in the workplace. This includes whether trained first-aiders are needed, what should be included in a first-aid kit and if a first-aid room is required. Employers should carry out an assessment of first-aid needs to determine what to provide.

The Regulations do not place a legal duty on employers to make first-aid provision for non-employees such as the public or children in schools. However, HSE strongly recommends that non-employees are included in an assessment of first-aid needs and that provision is made for them.

Where an employer’s assessment for First Aid needs identifies that a First Aider is not necessary, the minimum requirement for an employer is to appoint an individual to take charge of First Aid arrangements.

This includes looking after the equipment and facilities and calling the Emergency Services when required. Arrangements should always be made for the Appointed Person to undertake these duties at all times when people are at work. In the absence of the First Aider, employers must appoint a person for this purpose.