Every workplace in the UK is legally required to have adequate first aid provision. This means having the right equipment, the right people, and the right training in place to deal with injuries and illness at work. Yet many employers are unsure exactly what the law requires, how many first aiders they need, or what level of training is appropriate.
First aid at work is not just a legal box to tick. It is a practical skill that saves lives. The difference between a trained first aider and an untrained bystander can be the difference between a full recovery and a permanent injury — or worse.
This guide explains the UK regulations governing first aid at work, the different levels of training available, how to assess your workplace needs, and how to get qualified.
The Law: Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981
First aid at work in the UK is governed by the Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981. These regulations sit within the broader Health and Safety in the Workplace framework and require every employer to provide adequate and appropriate first aid equipment, facilities, and personnel to ensure that employees receive immediate attention if they are injured or taken ill at work.
The regulations are supported by the HSE Approved Code of Practice and Guidance (L74), which provides detailed advice on how to comply.
What the Regulations Require
The Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981 require employers to:
- Provide adequate first aid equipment — at minimum, a suitably stocked first aid kit
- Provide adequate first aid personnel — either appointed persons or trained first aiders, depending on the level of risk
- Inform employees about first aid arrangements — who the first aiders are, where the first aid kit is located, and what to do in an emergency
- Carry out a first aid needs assessment to determine the appropriate level of provision
The regulations apply to all workplaces, regardless of size. Even a sole trader working alone must have basic first aid equipment available.
Self-Employed Persons
While the regulations do not require self-employed persons to provide first aid for themselves, the HSE strongly recommends that they carry a basic first aid kit and have some level of first aid knowledge, particularly if they work on shared sites or in higher-risk environments.
First Aid Needs Assessment
The first aid needs assessment is the starting point for determining what your workplace requires. There is no one-size-fits-all answer — the appropriate level of first aid provision depends on the specific circumstances of your workplace.
The HSE recommends considering the following factors:
Nature of the Work
Higher-risk activities require more first aid provision. A commercial kitchen with sharp knives, hot surfaces, and heavy equipment presents different risks from a standard office. A construction site, a care home, and a hotel all have different hazard profiles.
Size of the Workforce
Larger workplaces generally need more first aiders and more first aid equipment. The HSE provides guideline numbers:
- Low-risk workplaces (offices, shops, libraries) — at least one appointed person for fewer than 25 employees; at least one EFAW-trained first aider for 25-50 employees; at least one FAW-trained first aider for more than 50 employees
- Higher-risk workplaces (kitchens, warehouses, construction, manufacturing) — at least one appointed person for fewer than 5 employees; at least one EFAW-trained first aider for 5-50 employees; at least one FAW-trained first aider for more than 50 employees
These are minimum guidelines. Your needs assessment may identify the need for additional first aiders based on specific risks, shift patterns, or the layout of the premises.
Location and Layout
If your workplace is spread across multiple buildings, floors, or sites, you may need first aiders in each area to ensure adequate coverage. Remote locations or premises that are far from emergency medical services may also require a higher level of first aid provision.
Shift Patterns and Absences
First aid cover must be available at all times when employees are at work. This includes evenings, weekends, and bank holidays. You need to account for holidays, sickness, and other absences when planning your first aid provision. Having only one trained first aider is a risk — if they are absent, you have no cover.
The Public and Visitors
While the regulations technically only require provision for employees, the HSE recommends that employers consider the needs of non-employees — customers, visitors, contractors, and members of the public — when assessing their first aid needs. In hospitality, where premises are open to the public, this is a practical necessity.
Previous Incidents
Your accident and incident records can help identify common injuries and illnesses in your workplace, which should inform your first aid provision. If kitchen burns are a regular occurrence, for instance, your first aid kit and training should reflect this.
Appointed Persons vs First Aiders
The regulations distinguish between two roles:
Appointed Person
An appointed person is someone who takes charge of first aid arrangements and calls the emergency services when needed. They do not need to be trained in first aid itself. Their role is to:
- Take charge when someone is injured or ill
- Call 999 or direct someone else to do so
- Look after first aid equipment and ensure it is stocked and maintained
An appointed person is the minimum requirement for low-risk workplaces with fewer than 25 employees. However, the HSE recommends that even appointed persons receive basic emergency first aid training so they can provide meaningful assistance in an emergency.
First Aiders
First aiders are employees who have completed a recognised first aid training course and hold a valid certificate. There are two main levels:
Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW) — a one-day course covering basic life-saving skills. EFAW-trained first aiders can:
- Assess a situation and provide initial aid
- Administer CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation)
- Treat someone who is unconscious and breathing (recovery position)
- Treat someone who is choking
- Treat someone who is bleeding severely
- Recognise and respond to shock
First Aid at Work (FAW) — a three-day course providing comprehensive first aid training. FAW-trained first aiders can do everything an EFAW first aider can, plus:
- Treat a wider range of injuries including fractures, dislocations, and spinal injuries
- Manage burns and scalds
- Treat eye injuries
- Recognise and respond to poisoning
- Manage chest pain (suspected heart attack)
- Manage stroke symptoms
- Manage diabetic emergencies, seizures, and anaphylaxis
- Keep detailed records of treatment provided
The appropriate level of first aid training depends on your needs assessment. Many workplaces benefit from having a mix of both EFAW and FAW-trained first aiders.
Certificate Validity and Refresher Training
First aid at work certificates are valid for three years from the date of issue. After three years, the certificate expires and the first aider must complete a requalification course to maintain their status.
The HSE strongly recommends that first aiders attend refresher training annually to keep their skills current, even though this is not a legal requirement. Skills such as CPR and the recovery position need regular practice to remain effective.
What Happens When a Certificate Expires?
If a first aider’s certificate expires, they are no longer considered a qualified first aider under the regulations. They revert to the status of an appointed person until they requalify. Employers must plan ahead to ensure certificates are renewed before they expire, maintaining continuous first aid cover.
Requalification Courses
For EFAW requalification, the course is typically one day. For FAW requalification, it is two days (rather than the full three-day initial course). These requalification courses must be completed before the existing certificate expires.
First Aid Equipment
Every workplace must have at least one suitably stocked first aid kit. The HSE does not prescribe the exact contents, as these should be determined by the needs assessment, but a standard workplace first aid kit typically includes:
- A guidance leaflet on first aid
- Individually wrapped sterile adhesive dressings (assorted sizes)
- Sterile eye pads
- Individually wrapped triangular bandages (preferably sterile)
- Safety pins
- Large and medium individually wrapped sterile unmedicated wound dressings
- Disposable gloves (non-latex where possible to avoid allergic reactions)
- Microporous tape
- Resuscitation face shield
- Foil blanket
- Clothing shears
In higher-risk environments such as commercial kitchens, additional items may be appropriate — for example, burn dressings, blue detectable plasters (food industry standard), and additional wound dressings.
First aid kits should be clearly marked with a white cross on a green background, easily accessible, and checked regularly to ensure they are fully stocked and that items have not expired.
First Aid in the Hospitality Sector
Hospitality workplaces present specific first aid challenges:
Kitchen Injuries
Burns, scalds, and cuts are the most common kitchen injuries. First aiders working in or near commercial kitchens should be particularly familiar with treating:
- Burns and scalds — from hot surfaces, boiling liquids, hot oil, and steam
- Cuts and lacerations — from knives, mandolines, and food processing equipment
- Slips and falls — wet and greasy floors are a constant hazard in kitchens
Public-Facing Environments
Hotels, restaurants, and bars serve the public, which means first aiders may need to treat customers as well as colleagues. Choking incidents are a particular risk in dining environments, making knowledge of abdominal thrusts and back blows essential.
Allergic Reactions
Anaphylaxis is a life-threatening allergic reaction that can occur in any food service environment. First aiders should know how to recognise the signs of anaphylaxis and how to assist someone in using an adrenaline auto-injector (EpiPen). This links closely with allergen awareness training.
Event and Function Catering
Large events with high footfall, alcohol consumption, and complex logistics present elevated first aid risks. The needs assessment for event catering should consider crowd density, access to emergency services, and the availability of trained first aiders throughout the event.
How to Get Certified
Getting your first aid awareness certificate through Chefs Bay Academy is straightforward:
- Buy a licence for £29 — this gives you access to the First Aid Awareness course and 130+ other courses in the library
- Start learning — work through the course modules at your own pace on any device
- Complete the assessment — pass the end-of-course assessment to confirm your understanding
- Download your certificate — your CPD accredited certificate is available immediately
The online First Aid Awareness course provides a thorough grounding in first aid principles, common workplace injuries, and emergency response procedures. It is suitable for appointed persons, for general first aid awareness, and as a complement to practical first aid training.
It is important to note that the formal EFAW and FAW qualifications require practical, face-to-face training with a registered training provider, as they involve hands-on skills (CPR, use of dressings, recovery position) that must be assessed in person. Our online course provides the theoretical knowledge that supports and enhances practical training — and it is ideal for anyone who wants to understand first aid principles before attending a practical course, or who needs to refresh their knowledge between requalification dates.
For a broader view of workplace safety, explore our full range of health and safety courses — including manual handling, fire safety, and COSHH awareness. All are included in the same £29 licence.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is first aid training a legal requirement for employers?
Yes. Under the Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981, all employers must provide adequate and appropriate first aid arrangements for their employees. This includes providing trained first aiders or appointed persons, first aid equipment, and informing staff about the arrangements. The level of provision required depends on the first aid needs assessment.
How many first aiders does my workplace need?
There is no fixed legal number — it depends on your first aid needs assessment. The HSE provides guideline numbers based on workplace risk level and employee numbers, but these are minimums. You need to consider shift patterns, absences, the layout of your premises, and the specific risks in your workplace. Having more than the minimum is always advisable.
What is the difference between EFAW and FAW?
Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW) is a one-day course covering basic life-saving skills — CPR, recovery position, choking, and severe bleeding. First Aid at Work (FAW) is a three-day course that covers everything in EFAW plus a much wider range of injuries and conditions. FAW-trained first aiders can deal with fractures, burns, poisoning, heart attacks, strokes, and more. The appropriate level depends on your workplace risk assessment.
Can first aid training be completed entirely online?
The theoretical component of first aid training can be completed online and provides valuable knowledge for anyone working in a first aid role. However, the formal EFAW and FAW qualifications require practical, in-person assessment of hands-on skills such as CPR and the recovery position. An online first aid awareness course is an excellent foundation and is suitable for appointed persons, awareness training, and as preparation or refresher material for practical courses.
How long is a first aid certificate valid?
EFAW and FAW certificates are valid for three years from the date of issue. The HSE recommends annual refresher training to keep skills current. Before the certificate expires, the first aider must complete a requalification course (one day for EFAW, two days for FAW) to maintain their qualified status.
Related Guides
If you found this guide helpful, you might also want to read:
- Manual Handling Training: What UK Workers Need to Know — proper lifting techniques to prevent the injuries first aiders most commonly treat
- Fire Safety Training Requirements in the UK — fire safety and first aid planning go hand-in-hand
- Mental Health Awareness in the Workplace — supporting colleagues with mental health issues is an increasingly important part of workplace first aid
All these courses are included in your Chefs Bay Academy licence — £29 for instant access to 130+ courses.