The Law
Designated first aid personnel must undergo a training course in administering first aid at work and hold a first aid at work certificate, Emergency First Aid at Work or appointed person certificate.
The designated person must be available at all times and therefore you may need to appoint a number of first aiders, who can ensure that at any time there is a trained person on site.
There are no hard and fast rules as to how many first aiders you need, this will depend on the circumstances and work patterns of each organization, however the tables below show an indication as to recommended numbers (you should always assess your requirements and calculate your own numbers of first aiders and first aid equipment).
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| Category of Risk | No’s. employed at any one location | Suggested No. of First Aid Personnel |
|---|---|---|
| Lower Hazard e.g. Shops,offices, libraries etc |
Fewer than 25
25 – 50 More than 50 |
At least one appointed person
At least one first aider trained in EFAW At least One first aider trained in FAW for every 100 employees(or part thereof) |
| Higher Hazard e.g. Light engineering and assembly work, food processing,warehousing, chemical manufacture, extensive work with dangerous machinery or sharp instruments, construction | Less than 5
5 – 50 More than 50 |
At least one appointed person
At least one first aider trained in EFAW or FAW depending on the type of injuries that might occur At least one first aider trained in FAW for every 50 employed (or part thereof) |