We are often asked how many first aiders are required for a business as the HSE black and white but open to interpretation.

The HSE rules state that it is dependant on the risk assessment but there are some simple rules of thumb.

In a normal low risk environment such as a shop, office or library:

Employing less than 50 people you need at least one Appointed Person.  An appointed person is a person who is responsible for “taking charge” during a medical emergency.  They are the person that calls the ambulance, records the incident and is in charge during the incident.  However, the HSE strongly recommend that the appointed person has some first aid training – and who wants to go against the HSE?

Employing 50 to 100 people you need at least one First Aider (HSE Emergency First Aid at Work). The HSE always say at least one because you need one person on site so unless that person is never allowed a holiday or time off, then you’ll need a minimum of two people.

Employing over 100 people you need at least one First Aider (HSE EFAW) per 100 employees. Again the HSE state at least one which actually means a minimum of two.

In high risk environments such as warehousing, factories etc:

Employing less than 5 people you need at least one Appointed Person.

Employing 5 to 100 people you need at least one first aider (EFAW or FAW) per 50 employees. The HSE don’t stipulate whether you need EFAW or FAW trained first aiders, their helpful advice is dependant on the risk assessment. If you could be faced with more sever injuries (broken bones, embeded objects, burns etc) then you’ll need FAW first aiders.

Employing over 100 people you need at least one first aider (FAW) per 50 employees.

Click here to download Appendix A from the HSE guidelines.